The Second Skin: Ecological Role of Epibiotic Biofilms on Marine Organisms

Wahl, Martin; Goecke, Franz Ronald; Labes, Antje; Dobretsov, Sergey; Weinberger, Florian

doi:10.3389/fmicb.2012.00292

Cited by 380 publications

(343 citation statements)

References 267 publications

(390 reference statements)

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“…It is well-established that seaweeds live in association with bacteria and other microbes, several of which have positive effects on algal growth and development (Wahl et al, 2012;Egan et al, 2013), and some seaweeds have been suspected to actively select specific bacterial communities (for example, Staufenberger et al, 2008). However, very little is known about these effects under changing environmental conditions and in small filamentous algae such as the brown algal model Ectocarpus.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Host–microbe interactions as a driver of acclimation to salinity gradients in brown algal cultures

et al. 2015

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Like most eukaryotes, brown algae live in association with bacterial communities that frequently have beneficial effects on their development. Ectocarpus is a genus of small filamentous brown algae, which comprises a strain that has recently colonized freshwater, a rare transition in this lineage. We generated an inventory of bacteria in Ectocarpus cultures and examined the effect they have on acclimation to an environmental change, that is, the transition from seawater to freshwater medium. Our results demonstrate that Ectocarpus depends on bacteria for this transition: cultures that have been deprived of their associated microbiome do not survive a transfer to freshwater, but restoring their microflora also restores the capacity to acclimate to this change. Furthermore, the transition between the two culture media strongly affects the bacterial community composition. Examining a range of other closely related algal strains, we observed that the presence of two bacterial operational taxonomic units correlated significantly with an increase in low salinity tolerance of the algal culture. Despite differences in the community composition, no indications were found for functional differences in the bacterial metagenomes predicted to be associated with algae in the salinities tested, suggesting functional redundancy in the associated bacterial community. Our study provides an example of how microbial communities may impact the acclimation and physiological response of algae to different environments, and thus possibly act as facilitators of speciation. It paves the way for functional examinations of the underlying host-microbe interactions, both in controlled laboratory and natural conditions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Host–microbe interactions as a driver of acclimation to salinity gradients in brown algal cultures

et al. 2015

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“…For example, certain strains of the biofilm-forming bacterium Pseudoalteromonas luteoviolacea produce chemical cues that stimulate settlement and metamorphosis by Hydroides elegans, a polychaete worm that fouls docks and the hulls of ships worldwide (60,108), as well as a sea urchin (109) and a coral (107). Surface biofilms on many marine animals serve important functions in determining the very nature of the animals' ecological interactions with other organisms (110). Similarly, the acquisition of an appropriate microbiome at critical life history stages of many animals affects their subsequent behavioral patterns and thus the stability of their ecological roles in their communities (64).…”

Section: Nested Ecosystemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Animals in a bacterial world, a new imperative for the life sciences

McFall‐Ngai

Hadfield

Bosch

et al. 2013

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

2,250

1,916

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In the last two decades, the widespread application of genetic and genomic approaches has revealed a bacterial world astonishing in its ubiquity and diversity. This review examines how a growing knowledge of the vast range of animal–bacterial interactions, whether in shared ecosystems or intimate symbioses, is fundamentally altering our understanding of animal biology. Specifically, we highlight recent technological and intellectual advances that have changed our thinking about five questions: how have bacteria facilitated the origin and evolution of animals; how do animals and bacteria affect each other’s genomes; how does normal animal development depend on bacterial partners; how is homeostasis maintained between animals and their symbionts; and how can ecological approaches deepen our understanding of the multiple levels of animal–bacterial interaction. As answers to these fundamental questions emerge, all biologists will be challenged to broaden their appreciation of these interactions and to include investigations of the relationships between and among bacteria and their animal partners as we seek a better understanding of the natural world

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“…It is beneficial for the host to harbour epibiotic bacteria with AF properties because they provide protection against fouling. Although microbial epibiotic communities associated with marine organisms have been detected in many studies (reviewed by Wahl et al 2012), it is far from clear whether hosts select the bacteria with AF properties, or whether such activities are simply coincidental.…”

Section: Antibacterial Activity Heterotrophic Bacteriamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Over this period of time, several comprehensive reviews have been published on the properties of AF compounds Fusetani 2011), larval settlement (Hadfield 2010;Thiyagarajan 2010), properties of epibiotic bacteria Penesyan et al 2010;Harder et al 2012;Wahl et al 2012) and chemical ecology (Paul & Ritson-Williams 2008;Paul et al 2011). Interference with microbial QS as a mechanism to control marine biofilms has been the subject of another recent review ); therefore, this topic has been excluded from this article.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mature biofilms have complex, three-dimensional structures, which depend on the species composition of the biofilm, microbial activity and environmental conditions (Lewandowski 2000). Marine biofilms contain different species of heterotrophic bacteria (mainly proteobacteria), cyanobacteria, archaea and unicellular eukaryotes (eg diatoms and flagellates), while the densities of sarcodines, ciliates and fungi remain low (reviewed by Dobretsov 2010;Wahl et al 2012). The diversity of marine organisms from biofilms has mainly been described using culture methods and microscopic observations; the number of molecular-based studies of marine biofilms remains small.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mini-review: Inhibition of biofouling by marine microorganisms

2013

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Any natural or artificial substratum exposed to seawater is quickly fouled by marine microorganisms and later by macrofouling species. Microfouling organisms on the surface of a substratum form heterogenic biofilms, which are composed of multiple species of heterotrophic bacteria, cyanobacteria, diatoms, protozoa and fungi. Biofilms on artificial structures create serious problems for industries worldwide, with effects including an increase in drag force and metal corrosion as well as a reduction in heat transfer efficiency. Additionally, microorganisms produce chemical compounds that may induce or inhibit settlement and growth of other fouling organisms. Since the last review by the first author on inhibition of biofouling by marine microbes in 2006, significant progress has been made in the field. Several antimicrobial, antialgal and antilarval compounds have been isolated from heterotrophic marine bacteria, cyanobacteria and fungi. Some of these compounds have multiple bioactivities. Microorganisms are able to disrupt biofilms by inhibition of bacterial signalling and production of enzymes that degrade bacterial signals and polymers. Epibiotic microorganisms associated with marine algae and invertebrates have a high antifouling (AF) potential, which can be used to solve biofouling problems in industry. However, more information about the production of AF compounds by marine microorganisms in situ and their mechanisms of action needs to be obtained. This review focuses on the AF activity of marine heterotrophic bacteria, cyanobacteria and fungi and covers publications from 2006 up to the end of 2012.

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The Second Skin: Ecological Role of Epibiotic Biofilms on Marine Organisms

Cited by 380 publications

References 267 publications

Host–microbe interactions as a driver of acclimation to salinity gradients in brown algal cultures

Host–microbe interactions as a driver of acclimation to salinity gradients in brown algal cultures

Animals in a bacterial world, a new imperative for the life sciences

Mini-review: Inhibition of biofouling by marine microorganisms

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