Behavioural differences underlie toxicity and predation variation in blooms of Prymnesium parvum |
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Authors: | William W. Driscoll Jennifer H. Wisecaver Jeremiah D. Hackett Noelle J. Espinosa Jared Padway Jessica E. Engers Jessica A. Bower |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Biology, Penn State Harrisburg, Middletown, Pennsylvania, USA;2. Department of Biochemistry, Purdue Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA;3. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA |
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Abstract: | Much of the evolutionary ecology of toxic algal blooms (TABs) remains unclear, including the role of algal toxins in the adaptive ‘strategies’ of TAB-forming species. Most eukaryotic TABs are caused by mixotrophs that augment autotrophy with organic nutrient sources, including competing algae (intraguild predation). We leverage the standing diversity of TABs formed by the toxic, invasive mixotroph Prymnesium parvum to identify cell-level behaviours involved in toxin-assisted predation using direct observations as well as comparisons between genetically distinct low- and high-toxicity isolates. Our results suggest that P. parvum toxins are primarily delivered at close range and promote subsequent prey capture/consumption. Surprisingly, we find opposite chemotactic preferences for organic (prey-derived) and inorganic nutrients between differentially toxic isolates, respectively, suggesting behavioural integration of toxicity and phagotrophy. Variation in toxicity may, therefore, reflect broader phenotypic integration of key traits that ultimately contribute to the remarkable flexibility, diversity, and success of invasive populations. |
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Keywords: | algal toxins allelopathy biological invasions chemotaxis collective behaviour eco-evolutionary feedbacks harmful algal bloom intraguild predation microbial cooperation mixotrophy |
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