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Hydrogen sulfide, bacteria, and fish: a unique, subterranean food chain

Hydrogen sulfide, bacteria, and fish: a unique, subterranean food chain Photoautotrophs are generally considered to be the base of food webs, and habitats that lack light, such as caves, frequently rely on surface-derived carbon. Here we show, based on analysis of gut contents and stable isotope ratios of tissues ( 13 C: 12 C and 15 N: 14 N), that sulfur-oxidizing bacteria are directly consumed and assimilated by the fish Poecilia mexicana in a sulfide-rich cave stream in Tabasco state, Mexico. Our results provide evidence of a vertebrate deriving most of its organic carbon and nitrogen from in situ chemoautotrophic production, and reveals the importance of alternative energy production sources supporting animals in extreme environments. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Ecology Ecological Society of America

Hydrogen sulfide, bacteria, and fish: a unique, subterranean food chain

Ecology , Volume 92 (11) – Nov 1, 2011

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References (38)

Publisher
Ecological Society of America
Copyright
Copyright © 2011 by the Ecological Society of America
Subject
Reports
ISSN
0012-9658
DOI
10.1890/11-0276.1
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Photoautotrophs are generally considered to be the base of food webs, and habitats that lack light, such as caves, frequently rely on surface-derived carbon. Here we show, based on analysis of gut contents and stable isotope ratios of tissues ( 13 C: 12 C and 15 N: 14 N), that sulfur-oxidizing bacteria are directly consumed and assimilated by the fish Poecilia mexicana in a sulfide-rich cave stream in Tabasco state, Mexico. Our results provide evidence of a vertebrate deriving most of its organic carbon and nitrogen from in situ chemoautotrophic production, and reveals the importance of alternative energy production sources supporting animals in extreme environments.

Journal

EcologyEcological Society of America

Published: Nov 1, 2011

Keywords: Key words : cave fish ; chemoautotroph ; food web ; hydrogen sulfide ; Poecilia mexicana ; production source .

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