Oceanic protists with different forms of acquired phototrophy display contrasting biogeographies and abundance

TY - JOUR

T1 - Oceanic protists with different forms of acquired phototrophy display contrasting biogeographies and abundance

AU - Leles, Suzanne

AU - Mitra, Aditee

AU - Flynn, Kevin J.

AU - Stoecker, Diane K.

AU - Hansen, Per Juel

AU - Calbet, Albert

AU - McManus, George B.

AU - Sanders, Robert W.

AU - Caron, David A.

AU - Not, Fabrice

AU - Hallegraeff, Gustaff M.

AU - Pitta, Paraskevi

AU - Raven, John A.

AU - Johnson, Matthew D.

AU - Glibert, Patricia M.

AU - Våge, Selina

PY - 2017/8/16

Y1 - 2017/8/16

N2 - This first comprehensive analysis of the global biogeography of marine protistan plankton with acquired phototrophy shows these mixotrophic organisms to be ubiquitous and abundant; however, their biogeography differs markedly between different functional groups. These mixotrophs, lacking a constitutive capacity for photosynthesis (i.e. non-constitutive mixotrophs, NCMs), acquiretheir phototrophic potential through either integration of prey-plastids or through endosymbiotic associations with photosynthetic microbes. Analysis of field data reveals that 40–60% of plankton traditionally labelled as (nonphototrophic) microzooplankton are actually NCMs, employing acquiredphototrophy in addition to phagotrophy. Specialist NCMs acquire chloroplasts or endosymbionts from specific prey, while generalist NCMs obtain chloroplasts from a variety of prey. These contrasting functional types of NCMs exhibit distinct seasonal and spatial global distribution patterns. Mixotrophs reliant on ‘stolen’ chloroplasts, controlled by prey diversity and abundance, dominate in high-biomass areas. Mixotrophs harbouring intactsymbionts are present in all waters and dominate particularly in oligotrophic open ocean systems. The contrasting temporal and spatial patterns of distribution of different mixotroph functional types across the oceanic provinces, as revealed in this study, challenges traditional interpretations of marine food web structures. Mixotrophs with acquired phototrophy (NCMs) warrantgreater recognition in marine research.

AB - This first comprehensive analysis of the global biogeography of marine protistan plankton with acquired phototrophy shows these mixotrophic organisms to be ubiquitous and abundant; however, their biogeography differs markedly between different functional groups. These mixotrophs, lacking a constitutive capacity for photosynthesis (i.e. non-constitutive mixotrophs, NCMs), acquiretheir phototrophic potential through either integration of prey-plastids or through endosymbiotic associations with photosynthetic microbes. Analysis of field data reveals that 40–60% of plankton traditionally labelled as (nonphototrophic) microzooplankton are actually NCMs, employing acquiredphototrophy in addition to phagotrophy. Specialist NCMs acquire chloroplasts or endosymbionts from specific prey, while generalist NCMs obtain chloroplasts from a variety of prey. These contrasting functional types of NCMs exhibit distinct seasonal and spatial global distribution patterns. Mixotrophs reliant on ‘stolen’ chloroplasts, controlled by prey diversity and abundance, dominate in high-biomass areas. Mixotrophs harbouring intactsymbionts are present in all waters and dominate particularly in oligotrophic open ocean systems. The contrasting temporal and spatial patterns of distribution of different mixotroph functional types across the oceanic provinces, as revealed in this study, challenges traditional interpretations of marine food web structures. Mixotrophs with acquired phototrophy (NCMs) warrantgreater recognition in marine research.

U2 - 10.1098/rspb.2017.0664

DO - 10.1098/rspb.2017.0664

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 28768886

SN - 0962-8452

VL - 284

JO - Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

JF - Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

IS - 1860

M1 - 20170664

ER -