Catalase in sulfide- and methane-dependent macrofauna from petroleum seeps

Vesicomyid and lucinid clams and tubeworms from Gulf of Mexico petroleum seeps, all of which bear symbiotic sulfide-oxidizing bacteria, have much lower catalase activities than shallow-water species lacking symbionts. A petroleum seep mussel bearing methane-oxidizing bacteria is unusual in having catalase activities as high as shallow-water bivalves. Unlike sulfide-dependent meiofauna from shallow-water marine sands, catalase from all petroleum seep species was inhibited by 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole.Acknowledgments. We thank S. McDonald and the crew of R/V Gyre for assistance in animal collection. This research was funded by NSF grant OCE-8219792 to EP and NSF grant OCE-83-01538 and funds from the Offshore Operators Committee to J. Brooks. We appreciate this support.