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Researchers have discovered that symbiotic phytoplankton capable of fertilising the ocean with nitrogen 'fertilizer' evolved back in the Cretaceous at a time when the oceans were nutrient deprived. The cyanobacterium which the researchers have discovered is unique because it has no photosynthetic capabilities - a trait commonly associated with these microorganisms. Instead, its sole purpose is to provide nitrogen to a more complex cell host. This 'slaving event' evolved around 90 million years ago towards the end of the Cretaceous period, when the oceans were starved of nutrients. [Source: University of Bristol]
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