Skip to main content
Publications | Persons | Institutes | Projects
[ report an error in this record ]basket (1): add | show Print this page

one publication added to basket [362910]
Uncovering diversity and metabolic spectrum of animals in dead zone sediments
Broman, E.; Bonaglia, S.; Holovachov, O.; Marzocchi, U.; Hall, P.O.J.; Nascimento, F.J.A. (2020). Uncovering diversity and metabolic spectrum of animals in dead zone sediments. Communications Biology 3(1): 106. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s42003-020-0822-7
In: Communications Biology. Nature Portfolio: Berlin. e-ISSN 2399-3642, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keyword
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 
  • Broman, E.
  • Bonaglia, S.
  • Holovachov, O., more
  • Marzocchi, U., more
  • Hall, P.O.J.
  • Nascimento, F.J.A.

Abstract
    Ocean deoxygenation driven by global warming and eutrophication is a primary concern for marine life. Resistant animals may be present in dead zone sediments, however there is lack of information on their diversity and metabolism. Here we combined geochemistry, microscopy, and RNA-seq for estimating taxonomy and functionality of micrometazoans along an oxygen gradient in the largest dead zone in the world. Nematodes are metabolically active at oxygen concentrations below 1.8 µmol L−1, and their diversity and community structure are different between low oxygen areas. This is likely due to toxic hydrogen sulfide and its potential to be oxidized by oxygen or nitrate. Zooplankton resting stages dominate the metazoan community, and these populations possibly use cytochrome c oxidase as an oxygen sensor to exit dormancy. Our study sheds light on mechanisms of animal adaptation to extreme environments. These biological resources can be essential for recolonization of dead zones when oxygen conditions improve.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors