Sulfide-oxidizing bacteria in the burrowing echinoid, Echinocardium cordatum (Echinodermata)
Temara, A.; De Ridder, C.; Kuenen, J.G.; Robertson, L.A. (1993). Sulfide-oxidizing bacteria in the burrowing echinoid, Echinocardium cordatum (Echinodermata). Mar. Biol. (Berl.) 115(2): 179-185. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00346333
In: Marine Biology: International Journal on Life in Oceans and Coastal Waters. Springer: Heidelberg; Berlin. ISSN 0025-3162; e-ISSN 1432-1793, more
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| Authors | | Top |
- Temara, A., more
- De Ridder, C., more
- Kuenen, J.G.
- Robertson, L.A.
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| Abstract |
Symbiotic filamentous bacteria thrive in the intestinal caecum of the deposit-feeding echinoid Echinocardium cordatum. Specimens of E. cordatum were collected at Wimereux (Nord Pas-de-Calais, France) in 1991. Their symbiotic bacteria build nodules by forming multilayered mats around detrital particles that enter the caecum. The morphological features of the bacteria are those of Thiothrix, a sulfide-oxidizing genus. The filaments, which may form rosettes, are sheathed and made by a succession of hundreds of rod-shaped bacteria which store elemental sulfur in the presence of external sulfide. Live bacteria are restricted to the outer layers of the nodules. Their sulfide-oxidizing activity was investigated, using a Biological Oxygen Monitor, by measuring the O2-consumption when reduced sulfur compounds are provided. They oxidize thiosulfate and sulfide. Optimal sulfide oxidation occurs at intermediary pO2 (100 to 160 μM O2l-1). Spectrophotometry has confirmed that the sulfur content of the filamentous symbiotic sulfideoxidizing bacteria depends on the presence of external sulfide. This is the first report of symbiotic intradigestive Thiothrixspp.-like bacteria; it lengthens the list of symbioses between sulfide-oxidizing bacteria and invertebrates from sulfide-rich habitats. |
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