Methanotrophic marine molluscan (Bivalvia, Mytilidae) symbiosis: mussels fueled by gas

Journal Article · Fri Sep 19 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.233.4770.1306· OSTI ID:6878506

Childress, J J; Fisher, C R; Brooks, J M; Kennicutt, II, M C; Bidigare, R; Anderson, A E

An undescribed mussel (family Mytilidae), which lives in the vicinity of hydrocarbon seeps in the Gulf of Mexico, consumes methane (the principal component of natural gas) at a high rate. The methane consumption is limited to the gills of these animals and is apparently due to the abundant intracellular bacteria found there. This demonstrates a methane-based symbiosis between an animal and intracellular bacteria. Methane consumption is dependent on the availability of oxygen and is inhibited by acetylene. The consumption of methane by these mussels is associated with a dramatic increase in oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production. As the methane consumption of the bivalve can exceed its carbide dioxide production, the symbiosis may be able to entirely satisfy its carbon needs from methane uptake. The very light (delta/sup 13/C = -51 to -57 per mil) stable carbon isotope ratios found in this animal support methane (delta/sup 13/C = -45 per mil at this site) as the primary carbon source for both the mussels and their symbionts. 19 references, 2 figures, 1 table.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, Santa Barbara (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6878506
• Journal Information: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Journal Name: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States) Vol. 233; ISSN SCIEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520100 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
550700* -- Microbiology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ALKANES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BACTERIA
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND
CONSUMPTION RATES
HYDROCARBONS
INVERTEBRATES
METABOLISM
METHANE
METHANOTROPHIC BACTERIA
MICROORGANISMS
MOLLUSCS
MUSSELS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
SYMBIOSIS