A three-stage symbiosis forms the foundation of seagrass ecosystems.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Seagrasses evolved from terrestrial plants into marine foundation species around 100 million years ago. Their ecological success, however, remains a mystery because natural organic matter accumulation within the beds should result in toxic sediment sulfide levels. Using a meta-analysis, a field study, and a laboratory experiment, we reveal how an ancient three-stage symbiosis between seagrass, lucinid bivalves, and their sulfide-oxidizing gill bacteria reduces sulfide stress for seagrasses. We found that the bivalve-sulfide-oxidizer symbiosis reduced sulfide levels and enhanced seagrass production as measured in biomass. In turn, the bivalves and their endosymbionts profit from organic matter accumulation and radial oxygen release from the seagrass roots. These findings elucidate the long-term success of seagrasses in warm waters and offer new prospects for seagrass ecosystem conservation.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- van der Heide, T; Govers, LL; de Fouw, J; Olff, H; van der Geest, M; van Katwijk, MM; Piersma, T; van de Koppel, J; Silliman, BR; Smolders, AJP; van Gils, JA
Published Date
- June 2012
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 336 / 6087
Start / End Page
- 1432 - 1434
PubMed ID
- 22700927
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1095-9203
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0036-8075
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1126/science.1219973
Language
- eng