Dynamics of community structure and phosphate status of picocyanobacterial populations in the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea

• DOI: 10.4319/lo.2005.50.1.0363
• Publication Date: 2010-07-01T22:15:24Z
• Authors: Nicholas J. Fuller; Nyree J. West; Dominique Marie; Marian Yallop; Tanya Rivlin; Anton F. Post; David J. Scanlan
• Keywords: Prochlorococcus; Ecotype; Dominance (genetics)

We monitored the genetic diversity and phosphate (P) status of Prochlorococcus Synechococcus populations during an annual cycle (1999-2000) in Gulf Aqaba, Red Sea, using DNA probes antibodies against protein PstS, a molecular marker P stress. The usual spring bloom was not observed this year, picophytoplankton dominated by from April to December. A single high light (HL)- adapted ecotype Prochlorococcus, HLII, dominated, dominance extended even base euphotic zone for much year. Low (LL)-adapted ecotypes only appeared between July October were confined waters deeper than 50 m. population also clade (clade II), with exception peak III genotypes June. Highest PstS expression collective populations, indicative stress, acutely oligotrophic summer, whereas low occurred winter spring. abundance unaffected stress decreased beginning mixing, might have caused decline May 1999.