The planktonic tunicates appendicularians and thaliaceans are highly efficient filter feeders on a wide range of prey size including bacteria and have shorter generation times than any other marine grazers. These traits allow some tunicate species to reach high population densities and ensure their success in a favourable environment. However, there are still few studies focusing on which genes and gene pathways are associated with responses of pelagic tunicates to environmental variability. Herein, we present the effect of food availability increase on tunicate community and gene expression at the Marquesas Islands (South-East Pacific Ocean). By using data from the Tara Oceans expedition, we show that changes in phytoplankton density and composition trigger the success of a dominant larvacean species (an undescribed appendicularian). Transcriptional signature to the autotroph bloom suggests key functions in specific physiological processes, i.e., energy metabolism, muscle contraction, membrane trafficking, and proteostasis. The relative abundance of reverse transcription-related Pfams was lower at bloom conditions, suggesting a link with adaptive genetic diversity in tunicates in natural ecosystems. Downstream of the bloom, pelagic tunicates were outcompeted by copepods. Our work represents the first metaomics study of the biological effects of phytoplankton bloom on a key zooplankton taxon.

中文翻译：

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进入盛放期：中上衣被膜对食物供应波动的分子反应。

浮游棘齿类附睾虫和沙门氏菌是高效的滤食器，捕食范围广泛，包括细菌，并且比任何其他海洋放牧者的生成时间都短。这些特性使某些被膜种能够达到较高的种群密度，并确保它们在有利的环境中获得成功。然而，仍然很少有研究关注哪些基因和基因途径与中上覆被膜对环境变异的反应有关。在本文中，我们介绍了马奎萨斯群岛（东南太平洋）食物供应量增加对被膜群体和基因表达的影响。通过使用塔拉海洋探险队的数据，我们发现浮游植物密度和组成的变化触发了主要幼虫物种（未描述的阑尾生物）的成功。自养生物开花的转录特征表明在特定生理过程中的关键功能，即能量代谢，肌肉收缩，膜运输和蛋白稳态。在开花条件下，与逆转录相关的Pfams的相对丰度较低，表明与自然生态系统中被膜的适应性遗传多样性有关。在盛开的下游，上层被膜被co足类动物竞争。我们的工作代表了浮游植物绽放在关键的浮游生物分类群上的生物学效应的首次代谢组学研究。暗示与自然生态系统被膜的适应性遗传多样性有联系。在盛开的下游，上层被膜被co足类动物竞争。我们的工作代表了浮游植物绽放在关键的浮游生物分类群上的生物学效应的首次代谢组学研究。暗示与自然生态系统被膜的适应性遗传多样性有联系。在盛开的下游，上层被膜被co足类动物竞争。我们的工作代表了浮游植物绽放在关键的浮游生物分类群上的生物学效应的首次代谢组学研究。