Article (Scientific journals)
Distribution of bacteria and associated minerals in the gill chamber of the vent shrimp Rimicaris exoculata and related biogeochemical processes
Zbinden, M.; Le Bris, N.; Gaill, F. et al.
2004In Marine Ecology. Progress Series, 284, p. 237-251
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
 

Files


Full Text
Zbindenetal2004-Rimicarisbacteria.pdf
Publisher postprint (985.89 kB)
Request a copy

All documents in ORBi are protected by a user license.

Send to



Details



Keywords :
crustacea; deep-sea; moulting cycle; biomineralisation; symbiosis; iron oxidation
Abstract :
[en] The shrimp Rimicaris exoculata dominates the megafauna of some Mid-Atlantic Ridge hydrothermal vent fields. This species harbours a rich bacterial epibiosis inside its gill chamber. At the 'Rainbow' vent site (36degrees 14.0'N), the epibionts are associated with iron oxide deposits. Investigation of both bacteria and minerals by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray microanalysis (EDX) revealed 3 distinct compartments in the gill chamber: (1) the lower pre-branchial chamber, housing bacteria but devoid of minerals; (2) the 'true' branchial chamber, containing the gills and devoid of both bacteria and minerals; and (3) the upper pre-branchial chamber, housing the main ectosymbiotic bacterial community and associated mineral deposits. Our chemical and temperature data indicated that abiotic iron oxidation appears to be kinetically inhibited in the environment of the shrimps, which would explain the lack of iron oxide deposits in the first 2 compartments. We propose that iron oxidation is microbially promoted in the third area. The discrepancy between the spatial distribution of bacteria and minerals suggests that different bacterial metabolisms are involved in the first and third compartments. A possible explanation lies in the modification of physico-chemical conditions downstream of the gills that would reduce the oxygen content and favours the development of bacterial iron-oxidizers in this Fe-II-rich environment. A potential role of such iron-oxidizing symbionts in the shrimp diet is suggested. This would be unusual for hydrothermal ecosystems, in which most previously described symbioses rely on sulphide or methane as an energy source.
Disciplines :
Earth sciences & physical geography
Aquatic sciences & oceanology
Environmental sciences & ecology
Author, co-author :
Zbinden, M.
Le Bris, N.
Gaill, F.
Compère, Philippe ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences et gestion de l'environnement > Département des sciences et gestion de l'environnement
Language :
English
Title :
Distribution of bacteria and associated minerals in the gill chamber of the vent shrimp Rimicaris exoculata and related biogeochemical processes
Publication date :
2004
Journal title :
Marine Ecology. Progress Series
ISSN :
0171-8630
eISSN :
1616-1599
Publisher :
Inter-Research, Oldendorf Luhe, Germany
Volume :
284
Pages :
237-251
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Available on ORBi :
since 24 November 2010

Statistics


Number of views
51 (0 by ULiège)
Number of downloads
0 (0 by ULiège)

Scopus citations®
 
68
Scopus citations®
without self-citations
43
OpenCitations
 
71

Bibliography


Similar publications



Contact ORBi