Open AccessTrophic interactions with heterotrophic bacteria limit the range of Prochlorococcus
Author(s) -
Christopher L. Follett,
Stephanie Dutkiewicz,
François Ribalet,
Emily Zakem,
David A. Caron,
Virginia Armbrust,
Michael J. Follows
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2110993118
Subject(s) - prochlorococcus , ecology , organism , trophic level , biology , range (aeronautics) , ecosystem , heterotroph , transect , bacteria , cyanobacteria , synechococcus , genetics , materials science , composite material , paleontology
Significance Prochlorococcus is the smallest and most abundant photosynthetic organism on Earth and is thought to be confined to low-latitude regions by its requirement for warm waters. Latitudinal transects in the North Pacific, however, demonstrate that the poleward decrease of this species occurs across a wide range of temperatures. An additional mechanism is likely required. We use theory, computational models, and additional observational data to suggest that the poleward decrease is caused by an ecological interaction: a shared predator which consumes bothProchlorococcus and similar-sized heterotrophic bacteria. Understanding the fate of this organism requires a knowledge of the interconnected ecosystem of other organisms, where both direct and indirect interactions control community structure.