1. The rare but dangerous bacteria Vibrio vulnificus lives in warm, salty marine

1. The rare but dangerous bacteria Vibrio vulnificus lives in warm, salty marine water. It is naturally occurring in the coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico, especially in the hot summer months. Filter-feeding shellfish, like oysters and clams, accumulate the bacteria in their tissues. Explain how bioaccumulation of V. vulnificus in oysters and clams can affect higher trophic levels. 2. In human populations, infection of V. vulnificus is rare but potentially deadly, with an average of 35 deaths per year. Infected scrapes or wounds quickly begin to show lesions, which is why it is known as a flesh-eating bacterium. Calculate the number of deaths due to V. vulnificus in the last decade.