Examining the Evidence for Regulated and Programmed Cell Death in Cyanobacteria. How Significant Are Different Forms of Cell Death in Cyanobacteria Population Dynamics

摘要: Cyanobacteria are ancient and versatile members of almost all aquatic food webs. In freshwater ecosystems some cyanobacteria form "bloom" populations containing potent toxins such blooms therefore a key focus study. Bloom can be ephemeral, with rapid population declines possible, though the factors causing generally poorly understood. Cell death could significant factor linked to decline. Broadly, three forms cell currently recognized - accidental, regulated programmed efforts underway identify these standardize use terminology, guided by work on better-studied cells. For cyanobacteria, study differing has received little attention, classifying across group, within complex natural populations, is hard experimentally difficult. The dynamics photosynthetic microbes have, in past, been principally explained through reference abiotic ("bottom-up") factors. However, it become clearer that general, only partial linkage exists between conditions fluctuations many situations. Instead, range biotic interactions both their competitors, pathogens consumers, seen as major drivers observed fluctuations. Whilst evolutionary processes may theoretically account for existence an intrinsic also likely frequently cause ecological incidence death. New theoretical models single-cell techniques being developed illuminate this area. importance underlined (a) predictions increasing dominance due anthropogenic (b) realization influential ecosystem modeling includes mortality terms scant foundation, even have very large impact model predictions. These ideas explored prioritization research needs proposed.