Really cool findings re: bacteria vs algae symbiotic love-hate

[MrMuggles]

Some 'friendly' bacteria backstab their algal pals. Now we know why

The friendly relationship between Emiliana huxleyi and Roseobacter turns deadly when the bacteria get a whiff of the algae’s aging-related chemicals.

www.sciencenews.org

TLDR; these 2 specific varieties of marine bacteria and algae will trade resources for a while, until the bacteria are triggered by a chemical signal that the algae is old/weakened. It is at that point that the bacteria begins to eat the algae!

 

[Art]

Nature is amazing. Thanks for posting this.

The longer I am in this hobby, the more I realize the importance of bacteria and the relationship that they have with other other things in the aquarium. I also realize how little we know about what's really going on in this microscopic world.