Bladderwrack and bacterial resistance

The bladderwrack Fucus vesiculosus is a species of brown algae, found along the North Atlantic coasts. The algae has an interesting defence mechanism against bacterial infections.

Bacteria generally play a crucial role in the life of seaweeds. Also the bladderwrack lives in symbiosis with many types of bacteria that feed it with certain growth factors and nutrients. On the other hand, some other bacterial species can harm the seaweed. To deter them, Fucus produces different chemical compounds.

In terms of climate change, under changed light or temperature conditions the production of single defensive compounds decreased in comparison to unchanged conditions.

For further details, refer to:

Mahasweta Saha, Martin Rempt, Stephanie B. Stratil, Martin Wahl, Georg Pohnert, Florian Weinberger. Defence Chemistry Modulation by Light and Temperature Shifts and the Resulting Effects on Associated Epibacteria of Fucus vesiculosus. PLoS ONE, 2014; 9 (10): e105333 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0105333

Posted by Tim Sandle