@article{cecaa34defaf4260b25c6024422ef7b0,
title = "Methanotrophic bacterial symbionts fuel dense populations of deep-sea feather duster worms (Sabellida, Annelida) and extend the spatial influence of methane seepage",
abstract = "Deep-sea cold seeps are dynamic sources of methane release and unique habitats supporting ocean biodiversity and productivity. Here, we describe newly discovered animal-bacterial symbioses fueled by methane, between two species of annelid (a serpulid Laminatubus and sabellid Bispira) and distinct aerobic methane-oxidizing bacteria belonging to the Methylococcales, localized to the host respiratory crown. Worm tissue δ13C of −44 to −58% are consistent with methane-fueled nutrition for both species, and shipboard stable isotope labeling experiments revealed active assimilation of 13C-labeled methane into animal biomass, which occurs via the engulfment of methanotrophic bacteria across the crown epidermal surface. These worms represent a new addition to the few animals known to intimately associate with methane-oxidizing bacteria and may further explain their enigmatic mass occurrence at 150–million year–old fossil seeps. High-resolution seafloor surveys document significant coverage by these symbioses, beyond typical obligate seep fauna. These findings uncover novel consumers of methane in the deep sea and, by expanding the known spatial extent of methane seeps, may have important implications for deep-sea conservation.",
author = "Goffredi, {Shana K.} and Ekin Tilic and Mullin, {Sean W.} and Dawson, {Katherine S.} and Abigail Keller and Lee, {Raymond W.} and Fabai Wu and Levin, {Lisa A.} and Rouse, {Greg W.} and Cordes, {Erik E.} and Orphan, {Victoria J.}",
note = "Funding Information: We thank the captains and crew of the R/V Atlantis, HOV Alvin pilots and technicians, AUV Sentry team, as well as scientific participants of AT37-13 and AT42-03, especially O. Pereira, L. McCormick, C. Seid, and A. Durkin, for their assistance at sea. We also thank the captain and crew of the R/V Falkor, ROV SuBastian pilots and technicians, scientific participants of FK190106, as well as J. Gonzalez, A. Cr{\'e}mi{\`e}re, J. Magyar, and S. Connon for their assistance and contributions to the isotope, ion chromatography, nanoSIMS, and microbial community analysis, respectively. C. Roman (University of Rhode Island, as co–principal investigator) and J. Cortes Nunez (University of Costa Rica, international collaborator) played significant roles as co–principal investigators during both expeditions and contributed current meter data. In addition, Occidental College undergraduates M. Cazin, K. Ruis, and C. Brzechffa assisted with microbial community and microscopy analysis, sponsored by the Oxy Undergraduate Research Center. Support for S.K.G. was provided by a Faculty Enrichment Grant through Occidental College. Support for E.T. was provided, in part, by a postdoctoral fellowship from the German Research Foundation (DFG TI 973/1-1). Support for V.J.O. was provided, in part, by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (grant no. 3780). The research was primarily supported by U.S. NSF grants OCE 1635219 (to E.E.C), OCE 1634172 (to L.A.L. and G.W.R.), and OCE 1634002 (to V.J.O.). Sample collection and export permits were acquired through the Costa Rican Ministry of the Environment and Energy (SINAC-CUSBSEPI-R-032-2018 and Academic License SINAC-SE-064-2018). Publisher Copyright: Copyright {\textcopyright} 2020 The Authors.",
year = "2020",
month = apr,
day = "1",
doi = "https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aay8562",
language = "American English",
volume = "6",
journal = "Science Advances",
issn = "2375-2548",
publisher = "American Association for the Advancement of Science",
number = "14",
}