Mysterious Networks of Ocean Bacteria Revealed as Key to Earth's Ecosystem

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A groundbreaking study from the University of Córdoba in Spain has unveiled a complex network of nanotube bridges connecting Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus bacteria, crucial for the ocean's ecosystem. These microscopic organisms, responsible for generating up to 20% of the Earth's oxygen, were previously thought to exist independently, but researchers now confirm their interconnectedness essential for nutrient exchange.

Microbiologist María del Carmen Muñoz-Marín led a team that documented these structures, marking the first observation of nanotubes in these cyanobacteria. The nanotubes, created from cell membranes, enable the transportation of vital substances like amino acids and enzymes among cells, fundamentally altering previous notions about bacterial individuality and communication.

Research shows that these connections might enhance collaborative survival strategies among bacterial communities in turbulent ocean environments. Christian Kost, a microbial ecologist, emphasized that this transfer of resources could significantly impact processes like oxygen production and carbon sequestering in the oceans.

Further study is underway to explore the implications of these findings, particularly concerning the exchange of nutrients necessary for these bacteria's functioning.

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