title: Use of Highly Specific Molecular Markers Reveals Positive Correlation between Abundances of Mesodinium cf. major and Its Preferred Prey, Teleaulax amphioxeia, During Red Water Blooms in the Columbia River Estuary.
abstract: In a previous study, Teleaulax amphioxeia-the preferred prey of Mesodinium in the Columbia River estuary-were undetectable within intense annual blooms, suggesting blooms are prey-limited or prey are acquired outside of bloom patches. We used a novel molecular approach specifically targeting the prey (i.e., Unique Sequence Element [USE] within the ribosomal RNA 28S D2 regions of T. amphioxeia nucleus and nucleomorph) in estuarine water samples acquired autonomously with an Environmental Sample Processor integrated within a monitoring network (ESP-SATURN). This new approach allowed for both more specific detection of the prey and better constraint of sample variability. A positive correlation was observed between abundances of M. cf. major and T. amphioxeia during bloom periods. The correlation was stronger at depth (> 8.2 m) and weak or nonexistent in the surface, suggesting that predator-prey dynamics become uncoupled when stratification is strong. We confirmed exclusive selectivity for T. amphioxeia by M. cf. major and observed the incorporation of the prey nucleus into a 4-nuclei complex, where it remained functionally active. The specific biomarker for T. amphioxeia was also recovered in M. cf. major samples from a Namibian coastal bloom, suggesting that a specific predator-prey relationship might be widespread between M. cf. major and T. amphioxeia.
authors.affiliation: NSF Science & Technology Center for Coastal Margin Observation & Prediction (CMOP) and Institute of Environmental Health, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, Oregon, 97239, USA.
authors.forename: Lydie
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1255-8058
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Herfort
authors.affiliation: NSF Science & Technology Center for Coastal Margin Observation & Prediction (CMOP) and Institute of Environmental Health, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, Oregon, 97239, USA.
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maxey
authors.affiliation: NSF Science & Technology Center for Coastal Margin Observation & Prediction (CMOP) and Institute of Environmental Health, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, Oregon, 97239, USA.
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Voorhees
authors.affiliation: NSF Science & Technology Center for Coastal Margin Observation & Prediction (CMOP) and Institute of Environmental Health, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, Oregon, 97239, USA.
authors.forename: Holly M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR), Lüderitz, PO Box 394, Shark Island, Namibia.
authors.forename: Kolette
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Grobler
authors.affiliation: NSF Science & Technology Center for Coastal Margin Observation & Prediction (CMOP) and Institute of Environmental Health, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, Oregon, 97239, USA.
authors.forename: Tawnya D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.affiliation: NSF Science & Technology Center for Coastal Margin Observation & Prediction (CMOP) and Institute of Environmental Health, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, Oregon, 97239, USA.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zuber
mesh_terms: D016798:Ciliophora / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D044785:Cryptophyta / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D048028:DNA, Algal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D017753:Ecosystem; D063366:Estuaries; D010802:Phylogeny; D011156:Population Density; D012339:RNA, Ribosomal, 28S / Q000235:genetics; D045483:Rivers / Q000382:microbiology*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
chemical_list: D048028:DNA, Algal; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012339:RNA, Ribosomal, 28S
keywords: Cryptophyte; Environmental Sample Processor; Unique Sequence Element; predator-prey