Keystone Molecules: The Silent Architects of Ecosystems
2025-03-06
A study published in Science Advances provides compelling evidence for the concept of 'keystone molecules'. These rare chemicals, analogous to keystone species in ecology, exert disproportionately large effects on ecosystem structure and species interactions despite their low abundance. Researchers focused on Alderia sea slugs, isolating novel molecules called alderenes from their slime. Introduction of these alderenes into the mudflat ecosystem dramatically altered the behavior of other species and the overall habitat. This research highlights the often-overlooked role of chemical interactions in food webs and opens new avenues for exploring the influence of chemical signaling in ecosystems.