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Coscinodiscus Synthetic Community

A synthetic marine phytoplankton community consisting of the large centric diatom Coscinodiscus radiatus and four phylogenetically distinct bacterial isolates from different marine bacterial lineages. This model system was established to examine species-specific diatom-bacteria interactions and community dynamics. The bacteria include two Roseobacteraceae members (Mameliella CS4 and Roseovarius Rose1), a gammaproteobacterium (Marinobacter CS1), and a Flavobacterium (Croceibacter Crocei1). The consortium demonstrates context-dependent bacterial effects on diatom growth that vary with algal fitness state, growth phase, and community composition, with no universal algicidal or growth-promoting bacteria observed. This system is relevant to understanding carbon cycling and primary production in marine ecosystems.

Taxonomy

Taxon Ontology ID Functional Roles Abundance
Coscinodiscus radiatus NCBITaxon:33642
PRIMARY_PRODUCER
DOMINANT
Mameliella CS4 NCBITaxon:862751
SYNTROPHIC_PARTNER
ABUNDANT
Roseovarius Rose1 NCBITaxon:74030
SYNTROPHIC_PARTNER
ABUNDANT
Croceibacter Crocei1 NCBITaxon:216431
SYNTROPHIC_PARTNER
ABUNDANT
Marinobacter CS1 NCBITaxon:2742
SYNTROPHIC_PARTNER
ABUNDANT

Ecological Interactions

Diatom Primary Production and Carbon Release

MUTUALISM

Source Taxon: Coscinodiscus radiatus

Metabolites: dimethylsulfoniopropionate (CHEBI:16457), amino acids (CHEBI:33709), vitamins (CHEBI:33229)

Biological Processes:

Downstream Effects:
Bacterial DMSP Metabolism

Evidence

  • PMID:36300970 - SUPPORT (IN_VITRO)
    "No synergistic effects between bacteria in the presence of the diatom was observed"

Bacterial DMSP Metabolism

MUTUALISM

Source Taxon: Mameliella CS4

Metabolites: dimethylsulfoniopropionate (CHEBI:16457), dimethyl sulfide (CHEBI:17437)

Biological Processes:

  • dimethylsulfoniopropionate metabolic process (GO:0051192)
  • sulfur compound metabolic process (GO:0006790)

Evidence

  • PMID:36300970 - SUPPORT (IN_VITRO)
    "We further established a synthetic phytoplankton/bacteria community with the centric diatom, Coscinodiscus radiatus, and 4 phylogenetically distinctive bacterial isolates, Mameliella sp., Roseovarius sp., Croceibacter sp., and Marinobacter sp. Supported by a Lotka-Volterra model, we show that interactions within the consortium are specific and that the sum of the pairwise interactions can explain algal and bacterial growth in the community"

Growth Phase-Dependent Bacterial Effects

MUTUALISM

Source Taxon: Mameliella CS4

Biological Processes:

Evidence

  • PMID:36300970 - SUPPORT (IN_VITRO)
    "Bacteria utilize substrates produced by the phototrophic algae, while algal growth can be supported by bacterial exudates"

Bacterial Auxotrophy and Nutrient Dependence

COMMENSALISM

Source Taxon: Croceibacter Crocei1

Metabolites: amino acids (CHEBI:33709), cobalamin (CHEBI:28115), niacin (CHEBI:15940)

Biological Processes:

Evidence

  • PMID:36300970 - SUPPORT (IN_VITRO)
    "We further established a synthetic phytoplankton/bacteria community with the centric diatom, Coscinodiscus radiatus, and 4 phylogenetically distinctive bacterial isolates, Mameliella sp., Roseovarius sp., Croceibacter sp., and Marinobacter sp. Supported by a Lotka-Volterra model, we show that interactions within the consortium are specific and that the sum of the pairwise interactions can explain algal and bacterial growth in the community"

Community-Level Emergent Effects

COMPETITION

Source Taxon: Coscinodiscus radiatus

Biological Processes:

  • interspecies interaction between organisms (GO:0044419)
  • microbial community structure (GO:0140352)

Evidence

  • PMID:36300970 - SUPPORT (IN_VITRO)
    "No synergistic effects between bacteria in the presence of the diatom was observed"

Environmental Factors

Factor Value Unit
Marine medium Artificial seawater medium N/A
Light Illuminated culture conditions N/A
Growth phase Dynamic across growth phases N/A
Nutrient availability Varied nutrient conditions N/A