title: Stable-carbon-isotope composition of Fatty acids in hydrothermal vent mussels containing methanotrophic and thiotrophic bacterial endosymbionts.
abstract: Fatty acid biomarker analysis coupled with gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry was used to confirm the presence of methanotrophic and thiotrophic bacterial endosymbionts in the tissues of a hydrothermal vent mussel (Bathymodiolus sp.), collected from the Menez Gwen vent field on the mid-Atlantic ridge. Monounsaturated (n-8) fatty acids, which are diagnostic of methanotrophic bacteria, were detected in all three types of tissues examined (gill, posterior adductor, and mantle), although levels were highest in gill tissues where the bacteria were found. Stable-carbon-isotope compositions (delta-C per mille relative to that of Peedee belemnite) of fatty acids for all three tissues ranged from -24.9 to -34.9 per thousand, which encompasses the range predicted for both thiotroph- and methanotroph-based nutrition. The data suggest that these thio- and methanotrophic bacterial endosymbionts are equally important in the nutrition of the vent mussel at this particular vent site.
authors.affiliation: NERC Unit of Aquatic Biochemistry, Department of Biological and Molecular Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Plymouth PL1 3DH, and Isotope Geosciences Unit, SURRC, East Kilbride, Glasgow G75 OQF, United Kingdom, and IFREMER, F-29280 Plouzané, Brest, France.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Pond
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Fallick
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Segonzac
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Sargent