Vertebrate nutrition in a deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystem: fatty acid and stable isotope evidence

Pond, David W.; Fallick, A.E.; Stevens, C.J.; Morrison, D.J.; Dixon, D.R.. 2008 Vertebrate nutrition in a deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystem: fatty acid and stable isotope evidence. Deep-Sea Research Part I, 55 (12). 1781-1726. 10.1016/j.dsr.2008.07.006

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Abstract/Summary

The hydrothermal vent zoarcid fish Thermarces cerberus is a top predator that inhabits deep-sea hydrothermal vents on the East Pacific Rise (EPR). Bacterial chemoautotrophy at these sites supports abundant animal communities. Paradoxically, these chemoautotrophic bacteria are not known to produce polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), dietary nutrients essential for all marine vertebrates. To understand how T cerberus successfully exploits the vent environment and obtains essential PUFA, we compared its fatty acid composition to those of its invertebrate prey. Levels of 20 : 5(n - 3) and 22 : 6(n - 3) in muscle and ovary tissues of T. cerberus were low and contained higher amounts of 20 : 5(n - 3) than 22 : 6(n - 3). This is in contrast to most marine fish where 22 : 6(n - 3) typically dominates. Prey items include the limpet (Lepetodrilus elevates) and amphipods (Halice hesmonectes and Ventiella sulfuris) and all contained PUFA dominated by 20: 5(n - 3) in amounts likely to support the requirements of T. cerberus. delta C-13 values of 20 : 5(n - 3) in the invertebrate prey were consistent with synthesis from a chemoautotrophic carbon source within the vent environment. The potential origins of these PUFA are discussed in terms of the nutrition of T. cerberus and more generally in terms of the evolution of vent taxa.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1016/j.dsr.2008.07.006
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Global Science in the Antarctic Context (2005-2009) > DISCOVERY 2010 - Integrating Southern Ocean Ecosystems into the Earth System
ISSN:	0967-0637
Additional Keywords:	Deep-sea; Hydrothermal vents; Essential fatty acids; Stable carbon isotope
NORA Subject Terms:	Marine Sciences Biology and Microbiology Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	19 Jan 2011 09:56 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/11586

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1016/j.dsr.2008.07.006

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > Global Science in the Antarctic Context (2005-2009) > DISCOVERY 2010 - Integrating Southern Ocean Ecosystems into the Earth System

ISSN:

0967-0637

Additional Keywords:

Deep-sea; Hydrothermal vents; Essential fatty acids; Stable carbon isotope

NORA Subject Terms:

Marine Sciences
Biology and Microbiology
Ecology and Environment