Waves of communication: Metabolomics describe the nature and role of waterborne cues in the marine environment

Abstract

Waterborne cues are important tools for signaling in the marine environment. Despite decades of dedicated research, we know little about the chemical nature of these cues and of the physiological response by individuals that detect the cues. Using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy- and mass spectrometry-based metabolomics, the identity of a fear-inducing cue released by predatory blue crabs and that is utilized by prey crabs to detect their predators was described. Additionally, allelopathic phytoplankton were fingerprinted based on their exometabolomes, and the metabolic consequences of allelopathy on competitors were elucidated. Metabolomics provides an opportunity to study waterborne cues where other approaches have historically failed, allowing for the advancement of our understanding of the chemical nature of a wide range of ecological interactions.