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Cheng A, Lim WY, Lim PE, Yang Amri A, Poong SW, Song SL, Ilham Z. Marine Autotroph-Herbivore Synergies: Unravelling the Roles of Macroalgae in Marine Ecosystem Dynamics. Biology 2022; 11:biology11081209. [PMID: 36009834 PMCID: PMC9405220 DOI: 10.3390/biology11081209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Invasive species are a leading hazard to marine ecosystems worldwide, coupled with climate change. Tackling the emerging biodiversity threat to maintain the ecological balance of the largest biome in the world has now become a pivotal part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Marine herbivores are generally regarded as biological agents that restrict invasive species, and their efficiency depends on their dietary habits, especially the autotrophs they eat. Many researchers have found contradicting findings on the effects of nutritional attributes and novelty of autotrophs on herbivore eating behaviour. In light of the scattered literature on the mechanistic basis of autotroph-herbivore interactions, we provide a comprehensive review to fill knowledge gaps about synergies based on macroalgae, an important group of photosynthetic organisms in the marine biome that interact strongly with generalist herbivores. We also analyse macroalgal defence measures against herbivores, underlining unique features and potential roles in maintaining marine ecosystems. The nutritional qualities, shape, and novelty of autotrophs can alter herbivore feeding behaviour. Future research should explore aspects that can alter marine autotroph-herbivore interactions to resolve inconsistent results of specific features and the uniqueness of the organisms involved. Abstract Species invasion is a leading threat to marine ecosystems worldwide, being deemed as one of the ultimate jeopardies for biodiversity along with climate change. Tackling the emerging biodiversity threat to maintain the ecological balance of the largest biome in the world has now become a pivotal part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Marine herbivores are often considered as biological agents that control the spread of invasive species, and their effectiveness depends largely on factors that influence their feeding preferences, including the specific attributes of their food–the autotrophs. While the marine autotroph-herbivore interactions have been substantially discussed globally, many studies have reported contradictory findings on the effects of nutritional attributes and novelty of autotrophs on herbivore feeding behaviour. In view of the scattered literature on the mechanistic basis of autotroph-herbivore interactions, we generate a comprehensive review to furnish insights into critical knowledge gaps about the synergies based largely on the characteristics of macroalgae; an important group of photosynthetic organisms in the marine biome that interact strongly with generalist herbivores. We also discuss the key defence strategies of these macroalgae against the herbivores, highlighting their unique attributes and plausible roles in keeping the marine ecosystems intact. Overall, the feeding behaviour of herbivores can be affected by the nutritional attributes, morphology, and novelty of the autotrophs. We recommend that future research should carefully consider different factors that can potentially affect the dynamics of the marine autotroph-herbivore interactions to resolve the inconsistent results of specific attributes and novelty of the organisms involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Acga Cheng
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Wai Yin Lim
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
- Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Phaik-Eem Lim
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
- Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Affendi Yang Amri
- Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Sze-Wan Poong
- Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Sze-Looi Song
- Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
- Institute for Advanced Studies, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
- Correspondence: (S.-L.S.); (Z.I.); Tel.: +60-37967-4014 (Z.I.)
| | - Zul Ilham
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
- Correspondence: (S.-L.S.); (Z.I.); Tel.: +60-37967-4014 (Z.I.)
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Chai TT, Kwek MT, Ismail M, Ooi JLS, Amri AY, Manan FA, Law YC, Wong FC. Antioxidant Activities of Methanol Extract and Solvent Fractions of Marine Macroalga, <i>Avrainvillea erecta</i> (Berkeley) A. Gepp and E.S. Gepp (Dichotomosiphonaceae). TROP J PHARM RES 2015. [DOI: 10.4314/tjpr.v14i3.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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