Small aquatic organisms pilfer antibiotics from bacteria for self-defense – Tech Explorist

Tiny freshwater animals known as rotifers have been found to steal antibiotics from bacteria to protect themselves, according to a recent study published in the journal Nature Communications. This fascinating discovery sheds light on the complex interactions between different organisms in aquatic ecosystems and highlights the innovative ways in which these microscopic creatures have evolved to survive in their environment.

Rotifers are microscopic animals that are commonly found in freshwater environments such as ponds, lakes, and rivers. Despite their small size, they play a crucial role in the ecosystem by feeding on bacteria and algae, thereby helping to maintain the balance of nutrients and energy in the water. In this study, researchers from the University of Michigan and the University of California, Berkeley, investigated how rotifers defend themselves against harmful bacteria that they encounter in their environment.

The researchers discovered that rotifers have developed a unique strategy to protect themselves from bacterial infections. When exposed to certain types of bacteria that produce antibiotics, the rotifers are able to selectively absorb these antibiotics and incorporate them into their own bodies. This allows the rotifers to effectively defend themselves against bacterial pathogens and increase their chances of survival in the face of microbial threats.

This phenomenon, known as „kleptoprotection,“ is a form of symbiosis in which one organism benefits from the defensive compounds produced by another organism. In this case, the rotifers are able to steal antibiotics from bacteria and use them to protect themselves from infection. This strategy not only helps the rotifers to survive in their environment but also has important implications for our understanding of how organisms interact with each other in nature.

The researchers also found that the ability of rotifers to steal antibiotics from bacteria is not limited to a specific species or type of bacteria. Instead, they observed that rotifers are able to absorb a wide range of antibiotics produced by different types of bacteria, suggesting that this defense mechanism is highly adaptable and effective against a variety of microbial threats.

In addition to shedding light on the fascinating ways in which rotifers protect themselves from bacterial infections, this study has important implications for the field of antibiotic resistance. By studying how rotifers are able to steal antibiotics from bacteria, researchers may be able to gain insights into new strategies for combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria that pose a threat to human health.

Overall, this study highlights the remarkable adaptability and resilience of tiny freshwater animals like rotifers and underscores the importance of studying the intricate interactions between different organisms in aquatic ecosystems. By unraveling the mysteries of how these microscopic creatures defend themselves against microbial threats, researchers can gain valuable insights into the complex web of life that exists in our planet’s freshwater environments.