Modifications of estuarine sedimentary microbiota by exclusion of epibenthic predators

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Abstract

The ability of epibenthic predators (crabs and fishes) to influence biomass and community structure of sedimentary microbiota was investigated in St. George Sound-Apalachicola Bay System, Florida, U.S.A. Replicate areas (4 m2) of mud-flat sediment were caged in the field to confine and exclude predators. Uncaged areas were used as controls. The microbiota (prokaryotes and microeukaryotes) of the sediments was characterized at Weeks 0, 2, and 6 by measuring concentrations of phospholipid and analyzing fatty acids of the microbial lipids extracted from the sediments. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and step-wise discriminant analysis. After 2 wk, the microbiota of the predator exclusion treatment was significantly different from that in control and predator inclusion treatments. After 6 wk, these differences became more pronounced. There were no demonstrable caging effects that could account for treatment differences. Results indicated that removal of predators had a profound effect on microbial communities in estuarine sediments. Thus, the top trophic level (epibenthic predators) had an important role in regulating the structure of the lowest trophic level (the microbiota).

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