https://amanoresearch.com/authors/zhenya-zhang/Zhenya ZhangHugoBlox Kit (https://hugoblox.com)en-usMon, 18 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0000https://amanoresearch.com/publication/qian-202110-cyanobacterial/Mon, 18 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0000https://amanoresearch.com/publication/qian-202110-cyanobacterial/<p>Toxic cyanobacterial blooms frequently develop in eutrophic freshwater bodies worldwide. Microcystis species produce microcystins (MCs) as a cyanotoxin. Certain bacteria that harbor the mlr gene cluster, especially mlrA, are capable of degrading MCs. However, MC-degrading bacteria may possess or lack mlr genes (mlr+ and mlr− genotypes, respectively). In this study, we investigated the genotype that predominantly contributes to biodegradation and cyanobacterial predator community structure with change in total MC concentration in an aquatic environment. The 2 genotypes coexisted but mlr+ predominated, as indicated by the negative correlation between mlrA gene copy abundance and total MC concentration. At the highest MC concentrations, predation pressure by Phyllopoda, Copepoda, and Monogononta (rotifers) was reduced; thus, MCs may be toxic to cyanobacterial predators. The results suggest that cooperation between MC-degrading bacteria and predators may reduce Microcystis abundance and MC concentration.</p>