The role of bacteria in the nutrition of aquatic detritivores

Baker, J. H.; Bradnam, Lesley A.

doi:10.1007/bf00572753

Cited by 128 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Thus, the associated microbial flora is likely of greater nutritional importance, either directly as a food source, or via mineralisation of the detritus into more readily digestible forms (Johannsson & Beaver 1983). In fact, Chironomus plumosus and C. riparius are both capable of completing larval development on diets consisting solely of bacteria (Rodina 1971, Baker & Bradnam 1976.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differential assimilation of methanotrophic and chemoautotrophic bacteria by lake chironomid larvae

Grey¹,

Deines²

2005

Aquat. Microb. Ecol.

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Bacteria play an important role in the nutrition of many lake-dwelling detritivorous macroinvertebrates, yet few studies have investigated the roles of differing groups of bacteria in freshwater systems. Recent stable carbon isotope analyses have revealed that methanotrophic bacteria help fuel lake food webs. We analysed individual larvae of co-existing Chironomus plumosus and C. anthracinus for stable sulphur isotopes as an alternative tracer for bacterial assimilation, and compared them with existing stable carbon isotope data. The combination of these 2 isotopes suggests that there are large inter-and intraspecific differences in the incorporation of bacteria rather than algae in the diet of both species. C. anthracinus appears to assimilate a greater proportion of chemoautotrophs relative to its congener, which is consistent with classical descriptions of C. anthracinus feeding mode relative to bacterial stratigraphy in the sediments. The higher intraspecific isotope variability of C. plumosus indicates variable proportions of methanotrophs, chemoautotrophs and phytoplankton to the diets of individuals.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differential assimilation of methanotrophic and chemoautotrophic bacteria by lake chironomid larvae

Grey¹,

Deines²

2005

Aquat. Microb. Ecol.

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“…Most recent studies on the role of bacteria in the nutrition of deposit-feeders have reported that the quantity of bacteria available in the diet is substantially less than the carbon requirements of the consumer (Baker & Bradnam 1976, Wetzel 1976, Jensen & Siegismund 1980, the balance being probably met by direct utilisation of plant detritus as a carbon resource (Cammen 1977(Cammen , 1980a. Many invertebrates, particularly those living near to a detrital supply, are now known to be able to utilise plant detritus directly as a carbon resource (Elyakova 1972, Kristensen 1972, Newel1 et al 1982, Seiderer et al 1982Stuart et al 1982, Lucas & Newel1 1984.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relative significance of phytoplankton, bacteria and plant detritus as carbon and nitrogen resources for the kelp bed filter-feeder Choromytilus mendionalis

Seiderer¹,

Newell²

1985

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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(1) Standing stocks of phytoplankton on the West Coast of the Cape Peninsula. South Africa, show marked short-term variations, reaching maximal values of 8.9 pg chlorophyll a l-' at the end of a downwelling phase when warm surface water of approximately 16°C impinges on the coast. Following a period of south-east winds, cold water of ca. 11 "C or less upwells in the nearshore waters and chlorophyll a concentrations may fall within 24 h to 0.6 pg 1-l or less. At the same time, the standing stocks of bacteria ranged from a 0.4 X 106 cells ml-' during strong upwelling pulses to 5.9 X 106 cells ml-' during downwelling phases. (2) Total resource availability in the water column is generally in the range 307 to 450 pg C 1-I with an associated nitrogen pool of 46 to 71.1 pg N 1-' during upwelling and downwelling phases. At the end of a downwelling phase the carbon represented by the phytoplankton component amounts to > 50 % of the total particulate carbon in the water column and may dominate the resource as a whole. Bacteria, however, represent a carbon resource which is of comparable importance to the detrital component especially during periods of weak upwelling. Because of their relatively low C:N ratio of 3.5 compared with values as high as 18.9 for the detrital component, bacteria represent a nitrogen resource which may even exceed that of the phytoplankton under some conditions. (3) Estimates of the carbon consumption requirements of the black mussel Choromytilus rneridionalis Krauss in relation to the potential yield from phytoplankton, bacterial and detrital pools suggest that a major utilisation of the detrital component would be required to meet the carbon demands even if phytoplankton were retained with a high efficiency. In contrast, the estimated nitrogen demands of 2.8 to 45.5 pg N h-' at 1ZoC, depending on shell length, could be met from the phytoplankton alone which could supply 12.5 to 127.4 pg N h-' at 100 % efficiency. C. meridionalis does not therefore appear to require utilisation of bacteria to support its nutritional needs, a conclusion which is substantiated by the experimental work of others which suggests that particles in the bacterial size range are inefficiently retained by this mussel. (4) Phytoplankton and detrital pools are thus of importance as a carbon resource for bivalve consumers such as C. rneridionalis. Bacteria, however, represent a nitrogen pool of comparable importance to the phytoplankton and which is likely to be of major significance to those filter-feeders which are capable of exploiting particles in the bacterial size range.

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“…With regard to miner insects, there is only one report, based on unpublished (unconfirmed) data, that indicates that the larvae of Xylotopus par are incapable of degrading lignocellulosic materials (Kaufman et al, 1986). Despite microbial participation in the digestive processes of other aquatic insects (e.g., Sinsabaugh et al, 1985), studies addressing the presence of bacteria in the digestive tracts of these larvae have been mainly restricted to the controversial topic of their collaboration as energy source (e.g., Baker and Brandnam, 1976;Pinder, 1986;Johnson et al, 1989).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, even in environments in which bacteria are sufficiently abundant to meet their dietary needs, chironomid larvae are selective with regard to consumption, and they use other resources such as detritus as an energy source (Johnson et al, 1989). Moreover, the assimilation rate of bacterial compounds may be insufficient for the maintenance of larvae, and there may be a need for other energy sources, as determined for Chironomus riparius (Baker and Brandnam, 1976).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lignocellulolytic enzymes and bacteria associated with the digestive tracts of Stenochironomus (Diptera: Chironomidae) larvae

Koroiva¹,

Souza²,

Toyama³

et al. 2013

Genet. Mol. Res.

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ABSTRACT. We analyzed the digestive activity of the enzymes that digest cellulose and hemicellulose and the bacterial community that is capable of hydrolyzing wood compounds in the digestive tracts of Stenochironomus (Diptera: Chironomidae) larvae, which are miners of decomposing submerged tree and bush branches. Based on quantification of reducing sugars, these larvae have a limited capacity for cellulose degradation but a good capacity for xylan hydrolysis. We isolated 31 types of colonies from two larval morphotypes, of which 19 tested positive for the capacity to hydrolyze at least one of the four substrates that were used as the main carbon source in the culture media. Their woody compound degradation capacity was assessed using colorimetric tests. The bacteria were identified by the analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. None of the bacteria were capable of degrading lignin. The genus Pseudomonas had the greatest species richness; Bacillus spp exhibited the greatest capacity for degrading the different substrates, and Sphingobium was found in both morphotypes. Microorganisms participate in the degradation of wood consumed by Stenochironomus larvae. This is the first report of lignocellulolytic bacteria and enzymes in the digestive tracts of mining chironomids.

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The role of bacteria in the nutrition of aquatic detritivores

Cited by 128 publications

References 16 publications

Differential assimilation of methanotrophic and chemoautotrophic bacteria by lake chironomid larvae

Differential assimilation of methanotrophic and chemoautotrophic bacteria by lake chironomid larvae

Relative significance of phytoplankton, bacteria and plant detritus as carbon and nitrogen resources for the kelp bed filter-feeder Choromytilus mendionalis

Lignocellulolytic enzymes and bacteria associated with the digestive tracts of Stenochironomus (Diptera: Chironomidae) larvae

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