Abstract

Microbes in Nature rarely exist in isolation. How stable, functional microbial communities establish, however, is not fully understood. Studies on synthetic communities, ‘constructed’ from few species, have shown metabolic interactions can readily emerge among microbes and can allow for their stable co-existence. The extent and stability of metabolic interactions within natural communities, however, is more difficult to study, especially over time. In this talk, I will explain our attempts to adapt and maintain a natural community in the laboratory for long-term study of species composition, metabolic interactions, and stability. We have ‘adapted’ a freshwater community to the lab under lack of carbon source and application of a 12hr light-dark cycle. This resulted in a microbial community of 17 species, including a filamentous, gliding cyanobacteria. We found that this community maintains species composition stably over a 2-year period of serial passaging. We found evidence for carbon and vitamin sharing among members of this community and genetic capacity of sulfur cycling and anoxygenic photosynthesis functions. We have also found that this system results in reproducible spatial structure formation, including cm-scale granules. We show that these granules harbour anoxic microenvironments, which could sustain some of the genetically encoded anoxic functions. The formation of structural organisation is underpinned by the gliding motility of the filamentous cyanobacteria and we find that the collective motility of many filaments leads to emergent behaviours underpinning iron acquisition. Our findings show that structural organisation driven by one species can significantly shape microenvironments and determine assembly, stability, and function of a larger microbial community. The presented system can act as a model for understanding the formation of cyanobacterial mats and granules found in Nature and how they function to underpin biogeochemical cycling of key compounds. At the same time, the presented (or similar) mid-complexity system can be adapted to biotechnological applications in carbon capture, and sunlight to chemical conversion.

Abstract

Aquatic environments make up 70% of the total Planet Earth surface and marine phytoplankton is of crucial importance in the regulation of the climate as well as a key contributor to primary productivity and to global geochemical cycles. Although marine microorganisms have been widely studied during decades, we still lack widespread quantification methods of their microscopic behaviour. Here I will present my plan to study different aspects of the unicellular uniflagellate microalga Micromonas widely distributed in the world’s oceans. My focus is on its interactions with viruses, one of the most important regulators of Micromonas abundance. Questions about ecology, chemotaxis, physiology and phototaxis will be addressed -or, at least: that’s the idea! -.

YOU4BLUE IS AN EDUCATIONAL PROJECT FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IMPLEMENTED IN 3 MEDITERRANEAN ISLANDS (SARDINIA, CRETE, AND MALLORCA) OF 3 DIFFERENT EU COUNTRIES: ITALY, GREECE AND SPAIN.

THE PROJECT (2022-2025) AIMS TO PROMOTE A BROAD EXPERIENCE OF SUSTAINABILITY FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, WHERE MARINE RESOURCES ARE NOT ONLY SEEN AS A SOURCE OF FOOD BUT ALSO RECREATION, SPIRITUALITY, SPORTS ACTIVITIES, CULTURE.

El próximo viernes 27 de septiembre, la ciudad de Palma celebra de nuevo la ciencia con el regreso de la European Researchers’ Night. 

 Fecha: Viernes, 27 de septiembre de 2024.

 Hora: A partir de las 17:00 h y hasta las 22:00 h.

 Lugar: Diversos puntos de la ciudad de Palma.

Actividades gratuitas y abiertas para todos los públicos.

+ Info en el siguiente enlace: imedea.uib-csic.es/com.....=2142

On this occasion, Esther Hoyoy and María Pizarro, from the JAE ICU Programme will share with us 2 different presentations: 

• «Tracking behavioural and physiological responses of seabass in aquaculture cages.» Esther Hoyo


• « Effects of oxygen supersaturation on marine and aquatic continental ecosystems: a meta-analysis» María Pizarro

Per la Setmana de la Ciència, tornen les minixerrades científiques dins el tren de Sóller. 

Abstract

Did you know there are winged ghosts in the sea? European Storm-Petrels, often called "sea ghosts," are tiny seabirds that glide unnoticed across the ocean, searching for food. Tagging such small and elusive creatures has been one of the greatest challenges in ecology, but recent advances in GPS miniaturization have finally allowed us to lift the veil on their mysterious journeys. We tracked 39 storm-petrels from four colonies across the Western Mediterranean using GPS devices. By combining tracking data with oceanographic features, we not only uncovered the key areas where these birds prefer to forage, but we also found that these birds are highly selective, favoring waters with specific environmental conditions. Using this knowledge, we created predictive maps of the best foraging spots, revealing crucial hotspots in the Mediterranean. However, many of these areas lack Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), leaving them vulnerable to overfishing and human impacts.

Abstract

Fish movement plays a crucial role in ecosystem dynamics and has significant implications for the management of species targeted by commercial and recreational fisheries. In this talk, we will present an overview of our research using advanced bio-logging techniques (acoustic telemetry) to study the movement and behaviour of species of commercial and ecological importance in the Balearic Islands. Using high-resolution tracking systems, we have revealed the space use variability and the social structure of an iconic species such as the pearly razorfish (“raor”, Xyrichtys novacula), establishing a fruitful research line on the causes and consequences of fish behaviour. Additionally, through developing a large-scale tracking initiative, the Balearic Tracking Network, we are studying the functioning, effectiveness, and connectivity of the marine protected area network in the region through a multi-species approach. Our findings not only improve our understanding of the drivers of fish behaviour but also provide essential insights for designing effective conservation and management plans in the Balearic Islands.

Abstract

Metabolites are small organic molecules produced during cellular metabolism, and while there are several thousands of them, we are only starting to learn about their importance in the marine environment. I will present how some of them, like the B vitamins, influence the ocean's carbon cycle and phytoplankton and bacterial diversity. I will also show how an untargeted analysis of metabolites in seawater could be used to discover the presence of hundreds of organic compounds, providing previously unknown metabolic information. I will present some of the metabolomics (targeted and untargeted) results obtained at the new Marine Biomolecules laboratory at the IMEDEA in samples collected during two Spanish cruises in the Atlantic Ocean.