Shannon Point Marine Center Faculty Publications

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-26-2003

Keywords

Activated defense, Chemical defense, DMS, DMSP, Herbivory, Macroalgae, Sea urchins

Abstract

Almost half the biogenic sulfur emitted globally originates as dimethylsulfide (DMS) in marine algae. Yet, despite its importance to climate and the global sulfur cycle, the reasons why many diverse algal taxa produce DMS remain unclear. DMS is produced when dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is cleaved by the enzyme DMSP lyase into DMS and acrylic acid. Because acrylic acid can deter feeding by some herbivores, the production of DMSP has been postulated to be part of an antiherbivore chemical defense system, with DMS being a by-product of the production of the defensive compound acrylic acid. However, we found that DMS plays a more direct role in herbivore deterrence. Using laboratory bioassays, we demonstrated that DMS functions as a potent feeding deterrent against sea urchins Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis at a wide range of concentrations. The defensive function of DMSP cleavage is further supported by the results of a multiple-choice feeding preference assay in which we offered urchins a choice of 8 algal species. In these assays, algae containing DMSP tended to be consumed at lower rates than species that lacked it. By measuring headspace DMS concentrations during grazing, we showed that DMS is produced when urchins feed on algae containing DMSP, but not when urchins feed on algae without it. DMS production occurred while the urchins were feeding on the algae and for 18 h after the algae were removed, suggesting that post-ingestive processes might be playing a role in activation. These results demonstrate that DMS is produced when urchins feed on algae containing DMSP and that it functions as an herbivore deterrent, causing species that produce DMSP to be avoided by some herbivores.

Publication Title

Marine Ecology Progress Series

Volume

250

First Page

175

Last Page

181

Required Publisher's Statement

Mar Ecol Prog Ser (Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599)
Copyright © 2003 Inter-Research
Published March 26

All abstracts and full article pdfs in this issue are available to all users, compliments of Inter-Research.

Comments


Subjects - Topical (LCSH)

Marine algae; Dimethyl sulfide; Sea urchins--Behavior; Dimethylpropiothetin

Genre/Form

articles

Type

Text

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

Download
COinS