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The distribution of dimethylsulfoniopropionate in tropical Pacific coral reef invertebrates

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Abstract

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is an important component of the global sulfur cycle and may be involved, via its cleavage product dimethylsulfide, in climate regulation. Although it is common in many algae, reports of DMSP in animals, particularly tropical invertebrates, are limited. This study examined the distribution of DMSP in a diverse group of coral reef invertebrates. DMSP was present in all 22 species of cnidarians and ranged from 9 to 723 μmol g−1 of dry mass (DM) with a mean (± 1SD) of 110 ± 180 μmol g−1 DM. It was not detected in a flatworm and an ascidian or in two of five sponges. Concentrations in sponges ranged from undetectable to 16 μmol g−1 DM with a mean of 4 ± 7 μmol g−1 DM. Within the cnidarians, DMSP concentrations did not differ among orders. Among cnidarian species, DMSP concentrations were correlated with symbiotic zooxanthellae densities. Within cnidarian species, DMSP concentrations of individuals were positively correlated with zooxanthellae densities in three of the four species examined. We speculate that DMSP is dietarily derived in sponges and derived from zooxanthellae in the cnidarians. The functions of DMSP in coral reef invertebrates are not known.

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Acknowledgments

We thank University of Guam Marine Laboratory (UOGML) students for assistance in the field and for their efforts to locate trucks for the Cocos Lagoon trips, T. Rongo and M. McCormick for identifying corals, M. McCormick for providing Leptastrea larvae and G. Jones, and an anonymous reviewer for their many helpful comments on this manuscript. We are also grateful to the staff at the UOGML for the logistical support that they provided for this project. This work was funded by National Science Foundation grants IBN-0090825 and DBI-9877129 to K. Van Alstyne and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NURP/NIUST NA 16RU1496 to M. Slattery. P. Schupp acknowledges support by the National Institutes of Health MBRS SCORE S06-GM44796-15 for ongoing support and laboratory infrastructure.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shannon Point Marine Center, Western Washington University, 1900 Shannon Point Road, Anacortes, WA, 98221, USA

    Kathryn L. Van Alstyne

  2. University of Guam Marine Laboratory, UOG Station, Mangilao, GU, 96913, USA

    Peter Schupp

  3. Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, 38677, USA

    Marc Slattery

Authors
  1. Kathryn L. Van Alstyne
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  2. Peter Schupp
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  3. Marc Slattery
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Correspondence to Kathryn L. Van Alstyne.

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Communicated by Environment Editor K. Fabricius

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Van Alstyne, K.L., Schupp, P. & Slattery, M. The distribution of dimethylsulfoniopropionate in tropical Pacific coral reef invertebrates. Coral Reefs 25, 321–327 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-006-0114-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-006-0114-9

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