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Genetic diversity of marine Synechococcus and co‐occurring cyanophage communities: evidence for viral control of phytoplankton
Author(s) -
Mühling Martin,
Fuller Nicholas J.,
Millard Andrew,
Somerfield Paul J.,
Marie Dominique,
Wilson William H.,
Scanlan David J.,
Post Anton F.,
Joint Ian,
Mann Nicholas H.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
environmental microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.954
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1462-2920
pISSN - 1462-2912
DOI - 10.1111/j.1462-2920.2005.00713.x
Subject(s) - synechococcus , biology , cyanobacteria , genetic diversity , phytoplankton , ecological succession , genotype , botany , ecology , genetics , gene , bacteria , nutrient , population , demography , sociology
Summary Unicellular cyanobacteria of the genus Synechococcus are a major component of the picophytoplankton and make a substantial contribution to primary productivity in the oceans. Here we provide evidence that supports the hypothesis that virus infection can play an important role in determining the success of different Synechococcus genotypes and hence of seasonal succession. In a study of the oligotrophic Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea, we show a succession of Synechococcus genotypes over an annual cycle. There were large changes in the genetic diversity of Synechococcus , as determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of a 403‐ bp rpoC1 gene fragment, which was reduced to one dominant genotype in July. The abundance of co‐occurring cyanophage capable of infecting marine Synechococcus was determined by plaque assays and their genetic diversity was determined by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of a 118‐bp g20 gene fragment. The results indicate that both abundance and genetic diversity of cyanophage covaried with that of Synechococcus . Multivariate statistical analyses show a significant relationship between cyanophage assemblage structure and that of Synechococcus . These observations are consistent with cyanophage infection being a major controlling factor in picophytoplankton succession.