Abstract
Phytoplankton blooms characterize temperate ocean margin zones in spring. We investigated the bacterioplankton response to a diatom bloom in the North Sea and observed a dynamic succession of populations at genus-level resolution. Taxonomically distinct expressions of carbohydrate-active enzymes (transporters; in particular, TonB-dependent transporters) and phosphate acquisition strategies were found, indicating that distinct populations of Bacteroidetes, Gammaproteobacteria, and Alphaproteobacteria are specialized for successive decomposition of algal-derived organic matter. Our results suggest that algal substrate availability provided a series of ecological niches in which specialized populations could bloom. This reveals how planktonic species, despite their seemingly homogeneous habitat, can evade extinction by direct competition.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Alphaproteobacteria / enzymology
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Alphaproteobacteria / genetics
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Alphaproteobacteria / growth & development*
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Alphaproteobacteria / metabolism
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Bacterial Proteins / genetics
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Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
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Bacteroidetes / enzymology
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Bacteroidetes / genetics
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Bacteroidetes / growth & development*
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Bacteroidetes / metabolism
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Diatoms / growth & development*
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Diatoms / metabolism
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Ecosystem*
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Eutrophication*
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Gammaproteobacteria / enzymology
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Gammaproteobacteria / genetics
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Gammaproteobacteria / growth & development*
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Gammaproteobacteria / metabolism
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Glycoside Hydrolases / genetics
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Glycoside Hydrolases / metabolism
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Membrane Proteins / genetics
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Membrane Proteins / metabolism
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Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics
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Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism
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Metagenome
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Microbial Interactions
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North Sea
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Phosphates / metabolism
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Phytoplankton / growth & development*
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Phytoplankton / metabolism
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Seawater / microbiology*
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Sulfatases / genetics
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Sulfatases / metabolism
Substances
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Bacterial Proteins
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Membrane Proteins
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Membrane Transport Proteins
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Phosphates
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tonB protein, Bacteria
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Sulfatases
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Glycoside Hydrolases