Behavioral traits and territoriality in the symbiotic scaleworm Ophthalmonoe pettiboneae

AbstractAmong marine invertebrates, polychaete worms form symbiotic associations showing a wide variety of host use patterns. Most commonly, they live solitary on hosts, likely resulting from territorial behavior, yet little is known of the precise nature of the involved interactions. Based on field and laboratory observations, we described the symbiotic association between Ophthalmonoe pettibonae and Chaetopterus cf. appendiculatus from Nhatrang Bay (Vietnam). Then, by experimentally manipulating the competitor-to-resource ratio, we analyzed symbiont behavior and we assessed whether the 1:1 uniform distribution observed in nature could be driven by agonistic territorial behavior. Hosts and symbiont populations had low densities, lacked size relationships and showed higher prevalence when denser. Symbiont behavior included territoriality, expressed through conspecific recognition and intraspecific aggressive interactions (pursuit and escaping, hiding, choosing position, aggressive fighting, and targeting a specific bite zone). Our experiments proved that territoriality led to host monopolization by a single symbiont, provided the first empirical evidence that symbiont body injuries were caused during territorial contests, and allowed us to first suggest that a marine symbiotic invertebrate may control a territory extending beyond its host, even including neighboring hosts. Overall, this is the first report of such a complex symbiotic behavior for an annelid polychaete.

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Multiple bacterial partners in symbiosis with the nudibranch mollusk Rostanga alisae

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-03973-7 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Natalia V. Zhukova ◽

Marina G. Eliseikina ◽

Evgeniy S. Balakirev ◽

Francisco J. Ayala

Keyword(s):

Biological Diversity ◽

Marine Invertebrates ◽

16S Rrna Genes ◽

Rrna Genes ◽

Substantial Contribution ◽

Symbiotic Association ◽

Ample Evidence ◽

Symbiotic Associations ◽

Bacterial Morphotypes

AbstractThe discovery of symbiotic associations extends our understanding of the biological diversity in the aquatic environment and their impact on the host’s ecology. Of particular interest are nudibranchs that unprotected by a shell and feed mainly on sponges. The symbiotic association of the nudibranch Rostanga alisae with bacteria was supported by ample evidence, including an analysis of cloned bacterial 16S rRNA genes and a fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis, and microscopic observations. A total of 74 clones belonging to the phyla α-, β-, γ-Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Cyanobacteria were identified. FISH confirmed that bacteriocytes were packed with Bradyrhizobium, Maritalea, Labrenzia, Bulkholderia, Achromobacter, and Stenotrophomonas mainly in the foot and notum epidermis, and also an abundance of Synechococcus cyanobacteria in the intestinal epithelium. An ultrastructural analysis showed several bacterial morphotypes of bacteria in epidermal cells, intestine epithelium, and in mucus layer covering the mollusk body. The high proportion of typical bacterial fatty acids in R. alisae indicated that symbiotic bacteria make a substantial contribution to its nutrition. Thus, the nudibranch harbors a high diversity of specific endo- and extracellular bacteria, which previously unknown as symbionts of marine invertebrates that provide the mollusk with essential nutrients. They can provide chemical defense against predators.

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A de novo approach to disentangle partner identity and function in holobiont systems

10.1101/221424 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Arnaud Meng ◽

Camille Marchet ◽

Erwan Corre ◽

Pierre Peterlongo ◽

Adriana Alberti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Diversity ◽

De Novo ◽

Model Organisms ◽

Symbiotic Association ◽

Proof Of Concept ◽

Short Read ◽

Symbiotic Associations ◽

Functional Annotations ◽

And Function ◽

Similarity Method

AbstractBackgroundStudy of meta-transcriptomic datasets involving non-model organisms represents bioinformatic challenges. The production of chimeric sequences and our inability to distinguish the taxonomic origins of the sequences produced are inherent and recurrent difficulties in de novo assembly analyses. The study of holobiont transcriptomes shares similarities with meta-transcriptomic, and hence, is also affected by challenges invoked above. Here we propose an innovative approach to tackle such difficulties which was applied to the study of marine holobiont models as a proof of concept.ResultsWe considered three holobionts models, of which two transcriptomes were previously assembled and published, and a yet unpublished transcriptome, to analyze their raw reads and assign them to the host and/or to the symbiont(s) using Short Read Connector, a k-mer based similarity method. We were able to define four distinct categories of reads for each holobiont transcriptome: host reads, symbiont reads, shared reads and unassigned reads. The result of the independent assemblies for each category within a transcriptome led to a significant diminution of de novo assembled chimeras compared to classical assembly methods. Combining independent functional and taxonomic annotations of each partner’s transcriptome is particularly convenient to explore the functional diversity of an holobiont. Finally, our strategy allowed to propose new functional annotations for two well-studied holobionts and a first transcriptome from a planktonic Radiolaria-Dinophyta system forming widespread symbiotic association for which our knowledge is limited. ConclusionsIn contrast to classical assembly approaches, our bioinformatic strategy not only allows biologists to studying separately host and symbiont data from a holobiont mixture, but also generates improved transcriptome assemblies. The use of Short Read Connector has proven to be an effective way to tackle meta-transcriptomic challenges to study holobiont systems composed of either well-studied or poorly characterized symbiotic lineages such as the newly sequenced marine plankton Radiolaria-Dinophyta symbiosis and ultimately expand our knowledge about these marine symbiotic associations.

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Host use patterns ofCulicoidesspp. biting midges at a big game preserve in Florida, U.S.A., and implications for the transmission of orbiviruses

Medical and Veterinary Entomology ◽

10.1111/mve.12331 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

pp. 110-120 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

B. L. McGregor ◽

T. Stenn ◽

K. A. Sayler ◽

E. M. Blosser ◽

J. K. Blackburn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Host Use ◽

Biting Midges ◽

Use Patterns

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The Ascidian-Derived Metabolites with Antimicrobial Properties

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics9080510 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 510 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Marcello Casertano ◽

Marialuisa Menna ◽

Concetta Imperatore

Keyword(s):

Direct Evidence ◽

Marine Invertebrates ◽

Antimicrobial Properties ◽

Therapeutic Agents ◽

Symbiotic Association ◽

Heterogeneous Habitat ◽

Microbial Infections ◽

Sulfur Containing ◽

Shed Light ◽

Antibacterial Potential

Among the sub-phylum of Tunicate, ascidians represent the most abundant class of marine invertebrates, with 3000 species by heterogeneous habitat, that is, from shallow water to deep sea, already reported. The chemistry of these sessile filter-feeding organisms is an attractive reservoir of varied and peculiar bioactive compounds. Most secondary metabolites isolated from ascidians stand out for their potential as putative therapeutic agents in the treatment of several illnesses like microbial infections. In this review, we present and discuss the antibacterial activity shown by the main groups of ascidian-derived products, such as sulfur-containing compounds, meroterpenes, alkaloids, peptides, furanones, and their derivatives. Moreover, the direct evidence of a symbiotic association between marine ascidians and microorganisms shed light on the real producers of many extremely potent marine natural compounds. Hence, we also report the antibacterial potential, joined to antifungal and antiviral activity, of metabolites isolated from ascidian-associate microorganisms by culture-dependent methods.

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Beneficial soil-borne bacteria and fungi: a promising way to improve plant nitrogen acquisition

Journal of Experimental Botany ◽

10.1093/jxb/eraa112 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 71 (15) ◽

pp. 4469-4479 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Alia Dellagi ◽

Isabelle Quillere ◽

Bertrand Hirel

Keyword(s):

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Essential Element ◽

Symbiotic Association ◽

Terrestrial Plants ◽

Plant Nitrogen ◽

N Nutrition ◽

Symbiotic Associations ◽

N Fertilizers ◽

Bacteria And Fungi

Abstract Nitrogen (N) is an essential element for plant productivity, thus, it is abundantly applied to the soil in the form of organic or chemical fertilizers that have negative impacts on the environment. Exploiting the potential of beneficial microbes and identifying crop genotypes that can capitalize on symbiotic associations may be possible ways to significantly reduce the use of N fertilizers. The best-known example of symbiotic association that can reduce the use of N fertilizers is the N2-fixing rhizobial bacteria and legumes. Bacterial taxa other than rhizobial species can develop associative symbiotic interactions with plants and also fix N. These include bacteria of the genera Azospirillum, Azotobacter, and Bacillus, some of which are commercialized as bio-inoculants. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are other microorganisms that can develop symbiotic associations with most terrestrial plants, favoring access to nutrients in a larger soil volume through their extraradical mycelium. Using combinations of different beneficial microbial species is a promising strategy to boost plant N acquisition and foster a synergistic beneficial effect between symbiotic microorganisms. Complex biological mechanisms including molecular, metabolic, and physiological processes dictate the establishment and efficiency of such multipartite symbiotic associations. In this review, we present an overview of the current knowledge and future prospects regarding plant N nutrition improvement through the use of beneficial bacteria and fungi associated with plants, individually or in combination.

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Local adaptation in host use among marine invertebrates

Ecology Letters ◽

10.1111/j.1461-0248.2004.00719.x ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 448-459 ◽

Cited By ~ 72

Author(s):

Erik E. Sotka

Keyword(s):

Local Adaptation ◽

Marine Invertebrates ◽

Host Use

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Host Use Patterns by the European Woodwasp, Sirex noctilio, in Its Native and Invaded Range

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0090321 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. e90321 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Matthew P. Ayres ◽

Rebeca Pena ◽

Jeffrey A. Lombardo ◽

Maria J. Lombardero

Keyword(s):

Host Use ◽

Sirex Noctilio ◽

Use Patterns

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New Insights into the Nature of Symbiotic Associations in Aphids: Initial Steps Involved in Aphid Gut Infection by Serratia symbiotica Bacteria

10.1101/457945 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Pons Inès ◽

Renoz François ◽

Noël Christine ◽

Hance Thierry

Keyword(s):

Body Cavity ◽

Phylogenetic Position ◽

Symbiotic Association ◽

Free Living ◽

New Host ◽

Symbiotic Associations ◽

Gut Colonization ◽

Living Bacterium ◽

Serratia Symbiotica

AbstractSymbiotic microorganisms are widespread in nature and can play a major role in the ecology and evolution of animals. The aphid-Serratia symbiotica bacterium interaction provides a valuable model to study mechanisms behind these symbiotic associations. The recent discovery of cultivable S. symbiotica strains having the possibility of free-living lifestyle allowed us to simulate their environmental acquisition by aphids to examine the mechanisms involved in this infection pathway. Here, after oral ingestion, we analyzed the infection dynamic of cultivable S. symbiotica strains during the host’s lifetime using qPCR and fluorescence techniques and determined the immediate fitness consequences of these bacteria on their new host. We further examined the transmission behavior and phylogenetic position of cultivable strains. Usually, S. symbiotica are considered as maternally-transmitted bacteria living within aphid body cavity and bringing some benefits to their hosts despite their costs. Otherwise, our study revealed that cultivable S. symbiotica are predisposed to establish a symbiotic association with new aphid host, settling in its gut. We showed that cultivable S. symbiotica colonized the entire aphid digestive tract following infection, after which the bacterium multiplied exponentially during aphid development. Our results further revealed that gut colonization by the bacteria induce a fitness cost to their hosts. Nevertheless, it appeared that they also offer an immediate protection against parasitoids. Interestingly, cultivable S. symbiotica seem to be extracellularly transmitted, possibly through the honeydew. These findings provide new insights into the nature of symbiosis in aphids and the mechanisms underpinning these interactions.ImportanceFor the first time, our study provides experimental data that highlight a new kind of symbiotic associations in aphids. By successfully isolating microbial symbiont from aphids and by cultivating it in vitro in our laboratory, we established artificial association by simulating new bacterial acquisitions involved in aphid gut infection. Our results showed the early stages involved in this route of infection. Until now, Serratia symbiotica is considered as a maternally-transmitted aphid endosymbiont. Nevertheless, here, we showed that our cultivable strains having an intermediate status between a strict free-living bacterium and a facultative endosymbiont, occupy and replicate in aphid gut and seem to be transmitted over generations through an environmental transmission mechanism. Moreover, they are both parasites and mutualists given the context, as many of the endosymbionts in aphids. Our findings give new perception of associations involved in aphids’ symbiosis.

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