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Novel signature fatty acid profile of the giant manta ray suggests reliance on an uncharacterised mesopelagic food source low in polyunsaturated fatty acids.

ABSTRACT: Traditionally, large planktivorous elasmobranchs have been thought to predominantly feed on surface zooplankton during daytime hours. However, the recent application of molecular methods to examine long-term assimilated diets, has revealed that these species likely gain the majority from deeper or demersal sources. Signature fatty acid analysis (FA) of muscle tissue was used to examine the assimilated diet of the giant manta ray Mobula birostris, and then compared with surface zooplankton that was collected during feeding and non-feeding events at two aggregation sites off mainland Ecuador. The FA profiles of M. birostris and surface zooplankton were markedly different apart from similar proportions of arachidonic acid, which suggests daytime surface zooplankton may comprise a small amount of dietary intake for M. birostris. The FA profile of M. birostris muscle was found to be depleted in polyunsaturated fatty acids, and instead comprised high proportions of 18:1?9 isomers. While 18:1?9 isomers are not explicitly considered dietary FAs, they are commonly found in high proportions in deep-sea organisms, including elasmobranch species. Overall, the FA profile of M. birostris suggests a diet that is mesopelagic in origin, but many mesopelagic zooplankton species also vertically migrate, staying deep during the day and moving to shallower waters at night. Here, signature FA analysis is unable to resolve the depth at which these putative dietary items were consumed and how availability of this prey may drive distribution and movements of this large filter-feeder.

SUBMITTER: Burgess KB

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5766321 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Novel signature fatty acid profile of the giant manta ray suggests reliance on an uncharacterised mesopelagic food source low in polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Burgess Katherine B KB Guerrero Michel M Marshall Andrea D AD Richardson Anthony J AJ Bennett Mike B MB Couturier Lydie I E LIE

PloS one 20180112 1

Traditionally, large planktivorous elasmobranchs have been thought to predominantly feed on surface zooplankton during daytime hours. However, the recent application of molecular methods to examine long-term assimilated diets, has revealed that these species likely gain the majority from deeper or demersal sources. Signature fatty acid analysis (FA) of muscle tissue was used to examine the assimilated diet of the giant manta ray Mobula birostris, and then compared with surface zooplankton that w ...[more]

PMID: 29329295

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Project description:The acquisition of carotenoids and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from plants and animals for use as functional ingredients raises concerns regarding productivity and cost; utilization of microorganisms as alternative sources is an option. We proposed to evaluate the production of carotenoids and PUFAs by Rhodopseudomonas faecalis PA2 using different vegetable oils (rice bran oil, palm oil, coconut oil, and soybean oil) as carbon source, different concentrations of yeast extract as nitrogen source at different cultivation time to ensure the best production. Cultivation with soybean oil as source of carbon led to the most significant changes in the fatty acid profile. Compared to the initial condition, the strain cultivated in the optimal conditions (4% soybean oil, 0.35% yeast extract, and 14 days of incubation) showed an increase in μmax, biomass, carotenoid productivity, and microbial lipids by 102.5%, 52.7%, 33.82%, and 34.78%, respectively. The unsaturated fatty acids content was raised with additional types of PUFAs; omega-3 [alpha-linolenic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid] and omega-6 [linoleic acid and eicosatrienoic acid] fatty acids were identified. The results of ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadrupole time of flight-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS) indicated the molecular formula and mass of bacterial metabolites were identical to those of lycopene and beta-carotene. The untargeted metabolomics revealed functional lipids and several physiologically bioactive compounds. The outcome provides scientific reference regarding carotenoids, PUFAs, and useful metabolites that have not yet been reported in the species Rhodopseudomonas faecalis for further use as a microbial-based functional ingredient. Highlights • Additional types of PUFAs are found in the proposed condition.• Beta-carotene and EPA are first reported in Rhodopseudomonas faecalis.• Functional lipids and physiologically bioactive compounds were observed.• R. faecalis PA2 might be used as a new microbial-based functional ingredient.• The optimal conditions enhance μmax, biomass, carotenoids, and microbial lipids.

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Dataset Information

Novel signature fatty acid profile of the giant manta ray suggests reliance on an uncharacterised mesopelagic food source low in polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Publications

Novel signature fatty acid profile of the giant manta ray suggests reliance on an uncharacterised mesopelagic food source low in polyunsaturated fatty acids.

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