Coexistence of Photosynthetic Marine Microorganisms, Viruses and Grazers: Towards Integration in Ocean Ecosystem Models.

Fuente: PubMed
Guardado en:
Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Frémont, Paul, Beckett, Stephen J, Demory, David, Carr, Eric, Follett, Christopher L, Lindell, Debbie, Talmy, David, Dutkiewicz, Stephanie, Weitz, Joshua S
Formato: Artículo científico
Lenguaje:en
Publicado: Environmental microbiology 2026
Materias:
Acceso en línea:
Etiquetas: Agregar Etiqueta
Sin Etiquetas, Sea el primero en etiquetar este registro!
_version_ 1868266061958217728
author Frémont, Paul
Beckett, Stephen J
Demory, David
Carr, Eric
Follett, Christopher L
Lindell, Debbie
Talmy, David
Dutkiewicz, Stephanie
Weitz, Joshua S
author_facet Frémont, Paul
Beckett, Stephen J
Demory, David
Carr, Eric
Follett, Christopher L
Lindell, Debbie
Talmy, David
Dutkiewicz, Stephanie
Weitz, Joshua S
Frémont, Paul
Beckett, Stephen J
Demory, David
Carr, Eric
Follett, Christopher L
Lindell, Debbie
Talmy, David
Dutkiewicz, Stephanie
Weitz, Joshua S
collection PubMed - marine biology
contents Coexistence of Photosynthetic Marine Microorganisms, Viruses and Grazers: Towards Integration in Ocean Ecosystem Models. Frémont, Paul Beckett, Stephen J Demory, David Carr, Eric Follett, Christopher L Lindell, Debbie Talmy, David Dutkiewicz, Stephanie Weitz, Joshua S Zooplankton Phytoplankton Ecosystem Animals Photosynthesis Seawater Viruses Models, Biological Oceans and Seas Food Chain Virus Physiological Phenomena Aquatic Organisms Photosynthetic microorganisms are responsible for primary production at the base of the marine food web and influence global biogeochemistry. Their growth is balanced by mortality processes, including zooplankton grazing and viral lysis. These predators coexist despite competing for the same microorganisms. Here, we develop a community model of photosynthetic microorganisms, grazers and viruses that incorporates elemental quotas and is suitable for ocean ecosystem models. We evaluate the extent to which coexistence is facilitated by: (i) explicit infected phytoplankton; (ii) heterogeneity in susceptibility to viral infection; and (iii) higher-order mortality for the predators. We show a trade-off between the virus latent period and virulence in facilitating coexistence. The latent period generates oscillations that reduce the growth rate of the free virus, promoting coexistence. Heterogeneity in susceptibility supports coexistence through resource partitioning, while higher-order mortality widens the coexistence regime. The model outcomes are sensitive to viral life history traits, including the percentage of infected cells and the balance between virally- and zooplankton-induced mortality. Leveraging algebraic model equilibria, we identify parameter combinations that yield realistic ecological properties in simplified epipelagic environments. Our models suggest that efforts to embed virus dynamics in ocean ecosystem models should include moderate to strong resistance to viral infection.
format Artículo científico
id pubmed_41991149
institution PubMed
language en
publishDate 2026
publisher Environmental microbiology
record_format pubmed
spellingShingle Coexistence of Photosynthetic Marine Microorganisms, Viruses and Grazers: Towards Integration in Ocean Ecosystem Models.
Frémont, Paul
Beckett, Stephen J
Demory, David
Carr, Eric
Follett, Christopher L
Lindell, Debbie
Talmy, David
Dutkiewicz, Stephanie
Weitz, Joshua S
Zooplankton
Phytoplankton
Ecosystem
Animals
Photosynthesis
Seawater
Viruses
Models, Biological
Oceans and Seas
Food Chain
Virus Physiological Phenomena
Aquatic Organisms
Coexistence of Photosynthetic Marine Microorganisms, Viruses and Grazers: Towards Integration in Ocean Ecosystem Models. Frémont, Paul Beckett, Stephen J Demory, David Carr, Eric Follett, Christopher L Lindell, Debbie Talmy, David Dutkiewicz, Stephanie Weitz, Joshua S Zooplankton Phytoplankton Ecosystem Animals Photosynthesis Seawater Viruses Models, Biological Oceans and Seas Food Chain Virus Physiological Phenomena Aquatic Organisms Photosynthetic microorganisms are responsible for primary production at the base of the marine food web and influence global biogeochemistry. Their growth is balanced by mortality processes, including zooplankton grazing and viral lysis. These predators coexist despite competing for the same microorganisms. Here, we develop a community model of photosynthetic microorganisms, grazers and viruses that incorporates elemental quotas and is suitable for ocean ecosystem models. We evaluate the extent to which coexistence is facilitated by: (i) explicit infected phytoplankton; (ii) heterogeneity in susceptibility to viral infection; and (iii) higher-order mortality for the predators. We show a trade-off between the virus latent period and virulence in facilitating coexistence. The latent period generates oscillations that reduce the growth rate of the free virus, promoting coexistence. Heterogeneity in susceptibility supports coexistence through resource partitioning, while higher-order mortality widens the coexistence regime. The model outcomes are sensitive to viral life history traits, including the percentage of infected cells and the balance between virally- and zooplankton-induced mortality. Leveraging algebraic model equilibria, we identify parameter combinations that yield realistic ecological properties in simplified epipelagic environments. Our models suggest that efforts to embed virus dynamics in ocean ecosystem models should include moderate to strong resistance to viral infection.
title Coexistence of Photosynthetic Marine Microorganisms, Viruses and Grazers: Towards Integration in Ocean Ecosystem Models.
topic Zooplankton
Phytoplankton
Ecosystem
Animals
Photosynthesis
Seawater
Viruses
Models, Biological
Oceans and Seas
Food Chain
Virus Physiological Phenomena
Aquatic Organisms
url https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41991149/