Zoosporic fungi of the phylum Chytridiomycota (chytrids) regularly dominate pelagic fungal communities in freshwater and marine environments. Their lifestyles range from obligate parasites to saprophytes. Yet, linking scarce available sequence data specific ecological traits or their host ranges constitutes currently a major challenge. We combined 28 S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing with targeted isolation approaches, along cross-infection assays analysis chytrid infection prevalence obtain...

Abstract Parasites are rarely included in food web studies, although they can strongly alter trophic interactions. In aquatic ecosystems, poorly grazed cyanobacteria often dominate phytoplankton communities, leading to the decoupling of primary and secondary production. Here, we addressed interface between predator-prey host-parasite interactions by conducting a life-table experiment, which four Daphnia galeata genotypes were maintained on quantitatively comparable diets consisting healthy...

Abstract Despite their pivotal role as primary producers, there is little information to the diversity and physiology of cyanobacteria in meltwater ecosystems polar regions. Thirty cyanobacterial mats from Adelaide Island, Antarctica were investigated using 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis, screened for toxins molecular chemical approaches. A total 274 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) detected. The richness ranged between 8 33 OTUs per sample,...

Planktonic Nostocales cyanobacteria represent a challenge for microbiological research because of the wide range cyanotoxins that they synthesize and their invasive behavior, which is presumably enhanced by global warming. To gain insight into phylogeography potentially toxic from Mediterranean Europe, 31 strains Anabaena (Anabaena crassa, A. lemmermannii, mendotae, planctonica), Aphanizomenon (Aphanizomenon gracile, ovalisporum), Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii were isolated 14 freshwater...

The microcystin biodegradation potential of a natural bacterial community coexisting with toxic cyanobacterial bloom was investigated in water reservoir from central Spain. capacity confirmed all samples during the and an increase mlrA gene copies found increasing concentrations. Among 24 degrading strains isolated community, only 28% showed presence gene, strongly supporting existence abundance alternative degradation pathways nature. In vitro assays both mlr+ mlr− genotypes (with absence...

Overwintering cyanobacterial populations of Nostocales and Microcystis were investigated in six freshwater reservoirs Northwestern Spain during two consecutive winters. Surface sediments hosted 103–105 akinetes mL−1 102–104Microcystis colonies mL−1. Sediments from deeper areas close to dam accumulated 2-fold (Microcystis) 11-fold (akinetes) greater concentrations than those at the shallower upstream areas. Anabaena spp. aeruginosa dominated sediment pool, with minor amounts Aphanizomenon...

Chytrids are ubiquitous fungal parasites in aquatic ecosystems, infecting representatives of all major phytoplankton groups. They repack carbon from inedible hosts into easily ingested chytrid propagules (zoospores), rendering this accessible to zooplankton. Grazing on zoospores may circumvent bottlenecks transfer imposed by the dominance or poorly nutritious (mycoloop). We explored qualitative aspects mycoloop analysing lipid profiles (fatty acids, sterols) two chytrids bloom-forming taxa...

Abstract Chytrid fungal parasites are ubiquitous in aquatic ecosystems and infect a wide array of organisms, including all phytoplankton groups. In addition to their role as parasites, chytrids serve food zooplankton, thereby establishing an alternative trophic link between primary secondary production pelagic webs, the so‐called mycoloop. We hypothesized that, mycoloop, chytrid infection facilitates grazing filamentous by rendering it more edible zooplankton consumers through...

Infectious diseases of humans and wildlife are increasing globally but the contribution novel artificial anthropogenic entities such as nano-sized plastics to disease dynamics remains unknown. Despite mounting evidence for adverse effects nanoplastics (NPs) on single organisms, it is unclear whether how they affect interaction between species thereby lead ecological harm. In order incorporate impact NP pollution into host-parasite-environment interactions captured in "disease triangle", we...

Experimental evolution can be used to test for and characterize parasite pathogen adaptation. We undertook a serial-passage experiment in which single population of the obligate fungal (chytrid) Rhizophydium megarrhizum was maintained over period 200 days under different mono- multiclonal compositions its phytoplankton host, bloom-forming cyanobacterium Planktothrix. Despite initially inferior performance, populations sustained exposure novel monoclonal hosts experienced rapid fitness...

Abstract The accumulation and degradation of plastic waste in freshwater bodies poses a threat to aquatic biota. Microplastics (<5 mm) can transfer upwards food chains have been shown induce deleterious effects on important players ecosystems, including zooplankton. A smaller category microplastic particles, the so‐called nanoplastics (≤100 nm) raise special concern due their ability act at sub‐cellular molecular levels. Despite growing knowledge physiological traits individual species,...

Abstract Understanding how individual parasite traits contribute to overall fitness, and they are modulated by both external host environment, is crucial for predicting disease outcome. Fungal (chytrid) parasites of phytoplankton important yet poorly studied pathogens with the potential modulate abundance composition communities drive their evolution. Here, we life-history a chytrid infecting planktonic, bloom-forming cyanobacterium Planktothrix spp. under genotype thermal variation. When...

Parasitism is the most common lifestyle on Earth and has emerged many times independently across eukaryotic tree of life. It frequently found among chytrids (Chytridiomycota), which are early-branching unicellular fungi that feed osmotrophically via rhizoids as saprotrophs or parasites. Chytrids abundant in aquatic terrestrial environments fulfil important ecosystem functions. As parasites, they can have significant impacts host populations. They cause global amphibian declines influence...

Abstract Climate change has the potential to shape future of infectious diseases, both directly and indirectly. In aquatic systems, for example, elevated temperatures can modulate infectivity waterborne parasites affect immune response zooplanktonic hosts. Moreover, lake warming causes shifts in communities primary producers towards cyanobacterial dominance, thus lowering quality zooplankton diet. This may further host fitness, resulting suboptimal resources available parasite growth....

Metolachlor (MET) is a widely used herbicide that can adversely affect phytoplanktonic non-target organisms, such as cyanobacteria. Chytrids are zoosporic fungi ubiquitous in aquatic environments parasitize cyanobacteria and keep their proliferation check. However, the influence of organic pollutants on interaction between species, including parasitism, associated ecological processes remain poorly understood. Using host-parasite system consisting toxigenic cyanobacterium Planktothrix...

The patchy distribution of oligopeptide production abilities in cyanobacterial populations enables the classification strains into different oligopeptide‐based chemotypes. In order to evaluate ecological significance chemotypes natural systems, we tracked seasonal dynamics and sedimentation losses Microcystis eutrophic Valmayor reservoir (Spain). Fifty‐three distinct were identified throughout season, six them only present as benthic colonies. There was no correlation between chemotype...