Host-Symbiont Interactions between a Marine Mussel and Methanotrophic Bacterial Endosymbionts
Abstract
The research objective is to delineate the interactions between a newly discovered mussel and its methanotrophic symbionts in order to reach a more complete understanding of the intact symbiosis. We have made considerable progress in determining the importance of various food and energy sources to this symbiosis. Mussels can grow with methane as the sole carbon and energy source. However, in another study we have found that although the shell is growing in response to methane, the mussels' soft tissue is being depleted under these experimental conditions and this is reflected in a lower condition index of the mussels, when compared to freshly collected animals. This second study also demonstrates that neither unicellular algae (as a food source) nor thiosulfate (as a symbiont energy source) is sufficient for either shell or soft tissue growth in this mussel (Thiosulfate was suggested as an additional possible energy source for the symbionts. We have, in a separate study, been directly testing the mussels' ability to filter feed on particulates (both algae and bacteria). Our data indicates that these mussels can clear both algae and bacteria from the surrounding water (at relatively low rates) and assimilate a significant portion of the particulates they clear. We have also begun investigations into other possible sources of nitrogen for this symbiotic association.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 15, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA199278
Entities
People
- Charles R. Fisher
- James Childress
Organizations
- University of California, Santa Barbara