1. Jellyfish mucus-derived organic matter as a source of labile nutrients for the ambient microbial communityNathan Hubot, Sarah L.C. Giering, Neža Orel, Katja Klun, Gerhard J. Herndl, Felix Hohaus, Cathy H. Lucas, Tinkara Tinta, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Jellyfish are increasingly recognized as a significant contributor to marine organic matter (OM) on a global scale, with implications for ecosystem dynamics. While the role of jellyfish detritus in microbial nutrient cycling has been explored, the contribution of OM released by live jellyfish—primarily as mucus (hereinafter referred to as mucusassociated OM, or MAOM)—remains understudied. This study investigates the release of organic and inorganic nutrients through MAOM from live jellyfish and their effects on ambient microbial communities in the northern Adriatic Sea using a series of leaching and short-term microcosm experiments. Our results show that per gram of MAOM dry weight from the jellyfish Aurelia spp, approximatively 2 µmol of phosphate, 4 µmol of dissolved inorganic nitrogen, 18 µmol dissolved organic nitrogen, 134 µmol of dissolved organic carbon and 15 µmol of dissolved free amino acids can be released in the ambient seawater in 24 h. Almost half of the OM is released as dissolved OM (DOM), of which a substantial part is low molecular weight (<1 kDa) molecules. During the first 20 h, the DOM fraction of MAOM was rapidly consumed by the ambient microbial community without a corresponding increase in biomass, likely due to nitrogen limitation. In the subsequent 22 h, microbial growth accelerated to 0.19 ± 0.03 h−1 until phosphate became limiting, leading to a sharp decline in microbial production. Our metagenomics analysis revealed that the MAOM-degrading microbial community, dominated by Gammaproteobacteria opportunistic copiotrophs, exhibited increased functional capacity for nutrient assimilation and OM degradation, particularly in the transport and metabolism of amino acids (particularly glycine and taurine) and phosphorus. These traits mirror those found in detritus-degrading microbial communities, suggesting that jellyfish blooms promote the emergence of specialized microbial consortia with shared metabolic capabilities. Taken together, our findings highlight that live jellyfish, through the release of OM, play an active and previously underappreciated role in shaping ambient microbial community dynamics and nutrient fluxes in marine systems affected by jellyfish blooms. Ključne besede: jellyfish, bacteria, biogeochemistry, metagenome Objavljeno v DiRROS: 02.03.2026; Ogledov: 480; Prenosov: 48
Celotno besedilo (1,31 MB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
2. Down the drain: exploring wastewater’s role in coastal microbiome transformationsNeža Orel, Eduard Fadeev, Mauro Celussi, Valentina Turk, Katja Klun, Leila Afjehi-Sadat, Gerhard J. Herndl, Tinkara Tinta, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Background Many coastal ecosystems worldwide are impacted by wastewater discharges, which introduce nutrients, pollutants, and allochthonous microbes that can alter microbiome composition and function. Although the severity and distribution of these impacts vary across regions, their potential consequences for key ecological processes remain a concern. The resilience and functional adaptability of native coastal microbiomes are still poorly understood. To study the immediate ecological impact of wastewater discharge on a coastal seawater microbiome, we conducted short-term microcosm experiments, exposing a coastal microbiome to two types of treated wastewater: (i) unfiltered wastewater containing nutrients, pollutants, and allochthonous microbes; and (ii) filtered wastewater containing only nutrients and pollutants. Results By integrating multi-omics and metabolic assays, we show that wastewater-derived organic matter and nutrients (mostly ammonia and phosphate) did not alter the taxonomic composition of the coastal microbiota, but triggered reorganization of metabolic pathways in them. We observed enhanced metabolism of proteins, amino acids, lipids, and carbohydrates, particularly of the lineages Alteromonadales, Rhodobacterales, and Flavobacteriales. Glaciecola (Alteromonadales), a copiotroph with antagonistic traits, significantly contributed to these shifts. Conversely, allochthonous taxa like Legionellales and Pseudomonadales had minimal impact. Elevated phosphorus concentrations resulting from wastewater input reduced the synthesis of proteins linked to scavenging phosphorus from organic phosphorus compounds, including alkaline phosphatase activity in native Rhodobacterales and Flavobacteriales, with important ecological implications for phosphorus-depleted coastal ecosystems. Furthermore, the presence of wastewater caused a decline in relative abundance and metabolic activity of Synechococcus, potentially affecting carbon cycling. Yet, the coastal microbiome rapidly respired wastewater-derived dissolved organic carbon, resulting in bacterial growth efficiencies consistent with global coastal averages. Conclusions Our findings highlight the capacity of coastal microbiomes to withstand wastewater discharge, with critical implications for assessment of anthropogenic perturbations in coastal ecosystems. However, wastewater-driven changes in metabolic functions and niche utilization within the autochthonous microbial community, impacting phosphorus cycling and potentially affecting carbon cycling, may have long-term consequences for ecosystem functioning. Ključne besede: wastewater, microorganisms, metagenomics, metaproteomics Objavljeno v DiRROS: 27.01.2026; Ogledov: 205; Prenosov: 178
Celotno besedilo (67,34 KB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
3. Physiological and genomic characterization of two novel marine thaumarchaeal strains indicates niche differentiationBarbara Bayer, Jana Vojvoda, Pierre Offre, Ricardo JE Alves, Nathalie H Elisabeth, Juan A.L. Garcia, Jean-Marie Volland, Abhishek Srivastava, Christa Schleper, Gerhard J. Herndl, 2016, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Ammonia-oxidizing Archaea (AOA) are ubiquitous throughout the oceanic water column; however, our knowledge on their physiological and ecological diversity in different oceanic regions is rather limited. Here, we report the cultivation and characterization of two novel Nitrosopumilus strains, originating from coastal surface waters of the Northern Adriatic Sea. The combined physiological and genomic information revealed that each strain exhibits different metabolic and functional traits, potentially reflecting contrasting life modes. Strain NF5 contains many chemotaxis-related genes and is able to express archaella, suggesting that it can sense and actively seek favorable microenvironments such as nutrient-rich particles. In contrast, strain D3C is non-motile and shows higher versatility in substrate utilization, being able to use urea as an alternative substrate in addition to ammonia. Furthermore, it encodes a divergent, second copy of the AmoB subunit of the key enzyme ammonia monooxygenase, which might have an additional catalytic function and suggests further metabolic versatility. However, the role of this gene requires further investigation. Our results provide evidence for functional diversity and metabolic versatility among phylogenetically closely related thaumarchaeal strains, and point toward adaptations to free-living versus particle-associated life styles and possible niche differentiation among AOA in marine ecosystems. Ključne besede: seawater, ammonia oxidation, bacteria, picoplankton, Northern Adriatic Sea, genomic information Objavljeno v DiRROS: 19.03.2025; Ogledov: 786; Prenosov: 889
Celotno besedilo (1,08 MB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
4. Jellyfish blooms : an overlooked hotspot and potential vector for the transmission of antimicrobial resistance in marine environmentsAlan X. Elena, Neža Orel, Peiju Fang, Gerhard J. Herndl, Thomas U. Berendonk, Tinkara Tinta, Uli Klümper, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Gelatinous zooplankton (GZ) represents an important component of marine food webs, capable of generating massive blooms with severe environmental impact. When these blooms collapse, considerable amounts of organic matter (GZ-OM) either sink to the seafloor or can be introduced into the ocean’s interior, promoting bacterial growth and providing a colonizable surface for microbial interactions. We hypothesized that GZ-OM is an overlooked marine hotspot for transmitting antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). To test this, we first re-analyzed metagenomes from two previous studies that experimentally evolved marine microbial communities in the presence and absence of OM from Aurelia aurita and Mnemiopsis leidyi recovered from bloom events and thereafter performed additional time-resolved GZ-OM degradation experiments to improve sample size and statistical power of our analysis. We analyzed these communities for composition, ARG, and mobile genetic element (MGE) content. Communities exposed to GZ-OM displayed up to fourfold increased relative ARG and up to 10-fold increased MGE abundance per 16S rRNA gene copy compared to the controls. This pattern was consistent across ARG and MGE classes and independent of the GZ species, indicating that nutrient influx and colonizable surfaces drive these changes. Potential ARG carriers included genera containing potential pathogens raising concerns of ARG transfer to pathogenic strains. Vibrio was pinpointed as a key player associated with elevated ARGs and MGEs. Whole-genome sequencing of a Vibrio isolate revealed the genetic capability for ARG mobilization and transfer. This study establishes the first link between two emerging issues of marine coastal zones, jellyfish blooms and ARG spread, both likely increasing with future ocean change. Hence, jellyfish blooms are a quintessential “One Health” issue where decreasing environmental health directly impacts human health. Ključne besede: gelatinous zooplankton, antimicrobial resistance genes, organic matter, microbial interactions, vibrio Objavljeno v DiRROS: 20.02.2025; Ogledov: 933; Prenosov: 482
Celotno besedilo (5,22 MB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
5. Jellyfish-associated microbiome in the marine environment : exploring its biotechnological potentialTinkara Tinta, Tjaša Kogovšek, Katja Klun, Alenka Malej, Gerhard J. Herndl, Valentina Turk, 2019, pregledni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Despite accumulating evidence of the importance of the jellyfish-associated microbiome to jellyfish, its potential relevance to blue biotechnology has only recently been recognized. In this review, we emphasize the biotechnological potential of host–microorganism systems and focus on gelatinous zooplankton as a host for the microbiome with biotechnological potential. The basic characteristics of jellyfish-associated microbial communities, the mechanisms underlying the jellyfish-microbe relationship, and the role/function of the jellyfish-associated microbiome and its biotechnological potential are reviewed. It appears that the jellyfish-associated microbiome is discrete from the microbial community in the ambient seawater, exhibiting a certain degree of specialization with some preferences for specific jellyfish taxa and for specific jellyfish populations, life stages, and body parts. In addition, different sampling approaches and methodologies to study the phylogenetic diversity of the jellyfish-associated microbiome are described and discussed. Finally, some general conclusions are drawn from the existing literature and future research directions are highlighted on the jellyfish-associated microbiome. Ključne besede: Cnidaria, Ctenophora, biodiversity, bioactive compounds, microbial communities, blue biotechnology Objavljeno v DiRROS: 06.08.2024; Ogledov: 1207; Prenosov: 1065
Celotno besedilo (860,11 KB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
6. The importance of jellyfish-microbe interactions for biogeochemical cycles in the oceanTinkara Tinta, Katja Klun, Gerhard J. Herndl, 2021, pregledni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Jellyfish blooms can represent a significant but largely overlooked source of organic matter (OM), in particular at the local and regional scale. We provide an overview of the current state of knowledge on the bloom-forming jellyfish as sink and source of OM for microorganisms. In particularly, we compare the composition, concentration, and release rates of the OM excreted by living jellyfish with the OM stored within jellyfish biomass, which becomes available to the ocean's interior only once jellyfish decay. We discuss how these two stoichiometrically different jelly-OM pools might influence the dynamics of microbial community and the surrounding ecosystem. We conceptualize routes of jelly-OM in the ocean, focusing on different envisioned fates of detrital jelly-OM. In this conceptual framework, we revise possible interactions between different jelly-OM pools and microbes and highlight major knowledge gaps to be addressed in the future. Objavljeno v DiRROS: 05.08.2024; Ogledov: 1003; Prenosov: 855
Celotno besedilo (1,20 MB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
7. Seasonal variation in marine-snow-associated and ambient-water prokaryotic communities in the northern Adriatic SeaJana Vojvoda, Dominique Lamy, Eva Sintes, Juan A.L. Garcia, Valentina Turk, Gerhard J. Herndl, 2014, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: The structure and activity of prokaryotic communities were determined in marine snow and in the ambient water of the northern Adriatic Sea in different seasons (autumn, spring and summer). The seasonal variation in the composition of marine-snow-associated and ambient-water bacterial communities was assessed by T-RFLP (Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) on the 16S rRNA gene (16S rDNA) and 16S rRNA transcript (16S rRNA) level. On the 16S rDNA level, the bacterial community composition of the marine snow and ambient water was similar in summer and autumn, but not in spring. In contrast, on the 16S rRNA level, indicative of the active bacterial community, the marine-snow-associated bacterial community was different from that of the ambient-water, and different from the bacterial community on the 16S rDNA level, except in autumn. To phylogenetically characterize the bacterial and archaeal community composition associated with marine snow and the ambient water, clone libraries of 16S rDNA and 16S rRNA were constructed from 2 contrasting seasons. Phylogenetic profiling revealed a higher similarity among bacterial communities in summer compared to late autumn. Certain bacterial and archaeal groups were exclusively associated with summer or autumn marine snow, suggesting that marine-snow-associated prokaryotic communities are subjected to successional changes similar to ambient-water communities. Moreover, the presence of bacterial groups enriched in marine snow including Vibrionales and sulphate-reducing bacteria is consistent with niche partitioning and metabolic adaptations of the particle-associated microbiota. Ključne besede: marine snow, free-living-bacteria, Northern Adriatic sea Objavljeno v DiRROS: 02.08.2024; Ogledov: 1318; Prenosov: 828
Celotno besedilo (387,65 KB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
8. Microbial processing of jellyfish detritus in the oceanTinkara Tinta, Zihao Zhao, Alvaro Escobar, Katja Klun, Barbara Bayer, Chie Amano, Luca Bamonti, Gerhard J. Herndl, 2020, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: When jellyfish blooms decay, sinking jellyfish detrital organic matter (jelly-OM), rich in proteins and characterized by a low C:N ratio, becomes a significant source of OM for marine microorganisms. Yet, the key players and the process of microbial jelly-OM degradation and the consequences for marine ecosystems remain unclear. We simulated the scenario potentially experienced by the coastal pelagic microbiome after the decay of a bloom of the cosmopolitan Aurelia aurita s.l. We show that about half of the jelly-OM is instantly available as dissolved organic matter and thus, exclusively and readily accessible to microbes. During a typical decay of an A. aurita bloom in the northern Adriatic Sea about 100 mg of jelly-OM L–1 becomes available, about 44 μmol L–1 as dissolved organic carbon (DOC), 13 μmol L–1 as total dissolved nitrogen, 11 μmol L–1 of total hydrolyzable dissolved amino acids (THDAA) and 0.6 μmol L–1 PO43–. The labile jelly-OM was degraded within 1.5 days (>98% of proteins, ∼70% of THDAA, 97% of dissolved free amino acids and the entire jelly-DOC pool) by a consortium of Pseudoalteromonas, Alteromonas, and Vibrio. These bacteria accounted for >90% of all metabolically active jelly-OM degraders, exhibiting high bacterial growth efficiencies. This implies that a major fraction of the detrital jelly-OM is rapidly incorporated into biomass by opportunistic bacteria. Microbial processing of jelly-OM resulted in the accumulation of tryptophan, dissolved combined amino acids and inorganic nutrients, with possible implications for biogeochemical cycles. Objavljeno v DiRROS: 22.07.2024; Ogledov: 1182; Prenosov: 636
Celotno besedilo (2,19 MB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
9. Microbial consortiums of putative degraders of low-density polyethylene-associated compounds in the oceanMario Pinto, Zihao Zhao, Katja Klun, Eugen Libowitzky, Gerhard J. Herndl, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Polyethylene (PE) is one of the most abundant plastics in the ocean. The development of a biofilm on PE in the ocean has been reported, yet whether some of the biofilm-forming organisms can biodegrade this plastic in the environment remains unknown. Via metagenomics analysis, we taxonomically and functionally analyzed three biofilm communities using low-density polyethylene (LDPE) as their sole carbon source for 2 years. Several of the taxa that increased in relative abundance over time were closely related to known degraders of alkane and other hydrocarbons. Alkane degradation has been proposed to be involved in PE degradation, and most of the organisms increasing in relative abundance over time harbored genes encoding proteins essential in alkane degradation, such as the genes alkB and CYP153, encoding an alkane monooxygenase and a cytochrome P450 alkane hydroxylase, respectively. Weight loss of PE sheets when incubated with these communities and chemical and electron microscopic analyses provided evidence for alteration of the PE surface over time. Taken together, these results provide evidence for the utilization of LDPE-associated compounds by the prokaryotic communities. This report identifies a group of genes potentially involved in the degradation of the LDPE polymeric structure and/or associated plastic additives in the ocean and describes a phylogenetically diverse community of plastic biofilm-dwelling microbes with the potential for utilizing LDPE-associated compounds as carbon and energy source.
IMPORTANCE Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is one of the most used plastics worldwide, and a large portion of it ends up in the ocean. Very little is known about its fate in the ocean and whether it can be biodegraded by microorganisms. By combining 2-year incubations with metagenomics, respiration measurements, and LDPE surface analysis, we identified bacteria and associated genes and metabolic pathways potentially involved in LDPE biodegradation. After 2 years of incubation, two of the microbial communities exhibited very similar taxonomic compositions mediating changes to the LDPE pieces they were incubated with. We provide evidence that there are plastic-biofilm dwelling bacteria in the ocean that might have the potential to degrade LDPE-associated compounds and that alkane degradation pathways might be involved. Ključne besede: LDPE, ocean, biodegradation, biofilms, metagenomics Objavljeno v DiRROS: 16.07.2024; Ogledov: 1131; Prenosov: 679
Celotno besedilo (6,01 MB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
10. Bacterial degradation of ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi organic matterEduard Fadeev, Jennifer H. Hennenfeind, Chie Amano, Zihao Zhao, Katja Klun, Gerhard J. Herndl, Tinkara Tinta, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Blooms of gelatinous zooplankton, an important source of protein-rich biomass in coastal waters, often collapse rapidly, releasing large amounts of labile detrital organic matter (OM) into the surrounding water. Although these blooms have the potential to cause major perturbations in the marine ecosystem, their effects on the microbial community and hence on the biogeochemical cycles have yet to be elucidated. We conducted microcosm experiments simulating the scenario experienced by coastal bacterial communities after the decay of a ctenophore (Mnemiopsis leidyi) bloom in the northern Adriatic Sea. Within 24 h, a rapid response of bacterial communities to the M. leidyi OM was observed, characterized by elevated bacterial biomass production and respiration rates. However, compared to our previous microcosm study of jellyfish (Aurelia aurita s.l.), M. leidyi OM degradation was characterized by significantly lower bacterial growth efficiency, meaning that the carbon stored in the OM was mostly respired. Combined metagenomic and metaproteomic analysis indicated that the degradation activity was mainly performed by Pseudoalteromonas, producing a large amount of proteolytic extracellular enzymes and exhibiting high metabolic activity. Interestingly, the reconstructed metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) of Pseudoalteromonas phenolica was almost identical (average nucleotide identity >99%) to the MAG previously reconstructed in our A. aurita microcosm study, despite the fundamental genetic and biochemical differences of the two gelatinous zooplankton species. Taken together, our data suggest that blooms of different gelatinous zooplankton are likely triggering a consistent response from natural bacterial communities, with specific bacterial lineages driving the remineralization of the gelatinous OM. Ključne besede: jellyfish, proteases, bacterioplankton, ocean biogeochemistry Objavljeno v DiRROS: 16.05.2024; Ogledov: 1425; Prenosov: 867
Celotno besedilo (2,32 MB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |