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Marin IN, Tiunov AV. Terrestrial crustaceans (Arthropoda, Crustacea): taxonomic diversity, terrestrial adaptations, and ecological functions. Zookeys 2023; 1169:95-162. [PMID: 38328027 PMCID: PMC10848873 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1169.97812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Terrestrial crustaceans are represented by approximately 4,900 species from six main lineages. The diversity of terrestrial taxa ranges from a few genera in Cladocera and Ostracoda to about a third of the known species in Isopoda. Crustaceans are among the smallest as well as the largest terrestrial arthropods. Tiny microcrustaceans (Branchiopoda, Ostracoda, Copepoda) are always associated with water films, while adult stages of macrocrustaceans (Isopoda, Amphipoda, Decapoda) spend most of their lives in terrestrial habitats, being independent of liquid water. Various adaptations in morphology, physiology, reproduction, and behavior allow them to thrive in virtually all geographic areas, including extremely arid habitats. The most derived terrestrial crustaceans have acquired highly developed visual and olfactory systems. The density of soil copepods is sometimes comparable to that of mites and springtails, while the total biomass of decapods on tropical islands can exceed that of mammals in tropical rainforests. During migrations, land crabs create record-breaking aggregations and biomass flows for terrestrial invertebrates. The ecological role of terrestrial microcrustaceans remains poorly studied, while omnivorous macrocrustaceans are important litter transformers and soil bioturbators, occasionally occupying the position of the top predators. Notably, crustaceans are the only group among terrestrial saprotrophic animals widely used by humans as food. Despite the great diversity and ecological impact, terrestrial crustaceans, except for woodlice, are often neglected by terrestrial ecologists. This review aims to narrow this gap discussing the diversity, abundance, adaptations to terrestrial lifestyle, trophic relationships and ecological functions, as well as the main methods used for sampling terrestrial crustaceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan N. Marin
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, RussiaA.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of SciencesMoscowRussia
| | - Alexei V. Tiunov
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, RussiaA.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of SciencesMoscowRussia
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Ting SY, Lau NS, Sam KK, Janaranjani M, Wong SC, Monroig Ó, Quah ESH, Ahmad AB, Him NAIIN, Jaya-Ram A, Shu-Chien AC. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis in a land-crab with advanced terrestrial adaptations: Molecular cloning and functional characterization of two fatty acyl elongases. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2022; 262:110773. [PMID: 35718326 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2022.110773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Depending on the presence and activities of the front-end fatty acyl desaturases and elongation of very long-chain fatty acid (Elovl) enzymes, animals have different capacities for long-chain (≥C20) polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) biosynthesis. Successful land colonisation in brachyuran crabs requires a shift towards terrestrial food chain with limited LC-PUFA availability. We cloned and functionally characterised two elovl genes from the purple land crab Gecarcoidea lalandii. The two Elovl contained all the necessary motifs of a typical polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) Elovl and phylogenetically clustered in the Elovl1 and Elovl6 clades, respectively. The G. lalandii Elovl1 elongated saturated fatty acids, with low activities towards C20 and C22 PUFA substrates. Moreover, the G. lalandii Elovl6 was particularly active in the elongation of C18 PUFA, although it also recognised monounsaturated fatty acids as substrates for elongation. Collectively, the herein characterised G. lalandii elovl paralogues fulfil all the elongation steps involved in the LC-PUFA biosynthetic pathways. Tissue distribution of the G. lalandii elovl genes, along with the FA composition analyses, suggest the hepatopancreas and gill as key metabolic sites for fatty acid elongation. However, current data suggest that G. lalandii is unable to rely solely on biosynthesis to fulfil LC-PUFA requirements, since front-end desaturase appears to be absent in this species and other decapods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seng Yeat Ting
- Centre for Chemical Biology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11900, Malaysia
| | - Nyok-Sean Lau
- Centre for Chemical Biology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11900, Malaysia
| | - Ka-Kei Sam
- Centre for Chemical Biology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11900, Malaysia
| | - M Janaranjani
- Centre for Chemical Biology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11900, Malaysia
| | - Swe Cheng Wong
- Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Minden, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Óscar Monroig
- Instituto de Acuicultura Torre de la Sal (IATS-CSIC), Ribera de Cabanes, 12595 Castellón, Spain
| | - Evan S H Quah
- Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Amirrudin B Ahmad
- Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu 21030, Malaysia
| | | | - Annette Jaya-Ram
- Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Minden, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Alexander Chong Shu-Chien
- Centre for Chemical Biology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11900, Malaysia; School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Minden, Penang, Malaysia.
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Perger R, Cortés J, Pacheco C. First reports of protists in land crabs of the family Gecarcinidae (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura) suggest a relatively widespread phenomenon. J NAT HIST 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2022.2054384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jorge Cortés
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología (CIMAR), Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Cristian Pacheco
- Instituto en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología (ICMYL), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Av. Joel Montes Camarena, Mazatlán, México
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Onwubiko GN, Anorue EC, Onwubiko HA, Joshua PE, Eze FI, Amah CC, Onah BE. Fipronil use and associated effects on hematological and biochemical parameters of blue land crab (Cardisoma guanhumi Latreille): Ecological implication. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A, ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 337:258-267. [PMID: 34843175 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Fipronil is used to control pests to improve farm yield, however, indiscriminate use of fipronil has been reported to endanger crabs leading to their extinction. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of fipronil on several hematological and biochemical parameters of blue land crabs. We exposed blue land crabs to either fipronil or to a control treatment; fipronil reduced the protein content of the crab and also led to hematological and oxidative damages to the crabs' oxy-hemocyanin. Based on our results, there is need for guided use of agrochemicals such as fipronil to avoid/reduce their adverse effects on economically important species such as crabs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace N Onwubiko
- Natural Science Unit, School of General Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Eleazar C Anorue
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Henry A Onwubiko
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Parker E Joshua
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Fabian I Eze
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Christian C Amah
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Blessing E Onah
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
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Miyake K, Baba Y. De novo transcriptome assembly of the midgut glands of herbivorous land crabs, Chiromantes haematocheir, and identification of laccase genes involved in lignin degradation. J Comp Physiol B 2022; 192:247-261. [PMID: 35088170 DOI: 10.1007/s00360-021-01424-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Herbivorous land crabs such as Chiromantes haematocheir and C. dehaani show biomass-degrading activities. In this study, we performed RNA-seq analysis to detect biomass-degrading enzymes. A de novo transcriptome assembly in the midgut glands of molting and non-molting C. haematocheir crabs was constructed using RNA sequencing. Illumina sequencing generated 44,937,002 and 44,394,310 reads from the two midgut glands. In total, 178,710 contigs with an average length of 750 bp and an N50 value of 1,235 bp were assembled, of which 37,890 contigs were annotated using BLASTx search against the NCBI database. We identified 22 contigs (11 genes) belonging to the laccase family and 44 contigs (22 genes) belonging to the peroxidase family. Sixteen contigs (three genes) belonging to the GH9 cellulase family were also detected. We selected the gene accounting for the majority of expressed laccase and analyzed its properties. The 24131-laccase transcript (2465 bp) had one complete open reading frame, nt 149-1987, encoding a protein of 613 amino acids with a deduced molecular mass of 67.708 kDa. The enzyme was shown to belong to the multicopper oxidase family. The 24131-laccase protein was confirmed to have oxidation activity against 2,6-dimethoxyphenol by ectopic expression in Escherichia coli. Laccase activity was significantly enhanced by feeding land crabs with plant diets. These data suggest that the enzyme plays an important role in the digestion of lignin in the guts of land crabs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuhide Miyake
- Department of Environmental Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Meijo University, 1-501 Shiogamaguchi, Tenpaku, Nagoya, Aichi, 468-8502, Japan.
| | - Yasunori Baba
- Research Institute for Bioresources and Biotechnology, Ishikawa Prefectural University, 1-308 Suematsu, Nonoichi, Ishikawa, 921-8836, Japan
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Toward a More Comprehensive View of α-Amylase across Decapods Crustaceans. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10100947. [PMID: 34681046 PMCID: PMC8533441 DOI: 10.3390/biology10100947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Decapod crustaceans are a very diverse group and have evolved to suit a wide variety of diets. Alpha-amylases enzymes, responsible for starch and glycogen digestion, have been more thoroughly studied in herbivore and omnivore than in carnivorous species. We used information on the α-amylase of a carnivorous lobster as a connecting thread to provide a more comprehensive view of α-amylases across decapods crustaceans. Omnivorous crustaceans such as shrimps, crabs, and crayfish present relatively high amylase activity with respect to carnivorous crustaceans. Yet, contradictory results have been obtained and relatively high activity in some carnivores has been suggested to be a remnant trait from ancestor species. Here, we provided information sustaining that high enzyme sequence and overall architecture conservation do not allow high changes in activity, and that differences among species may be more related to number of genes and isoforms, as well as transcriptional and secretion regulation. However, recent evolutionary analyses revealed that positive selection might have also occurred among distant lineages with feeding habits as a selection force. Some biochemical features of decapod α-amylases can be related with habitat or gut conditions, while less clear patterns are observed for other enzyme properties. Likewise, while molt cycle variations in α-amylase activity are rather similar among species, clear relationships between activity and diet shifts through development cannot be always observed. Regarding the adaptation of α-amylase to diet, juveniles seem to exhibit more flexibility than larvae, and it has been described variation in α-amylase activity or number of isoforms due to the source of carbohydrate and its level in diets, especially in omnivore species. In the carnivorous lobster, however, no influence of the type of carbohydrate could be observed. Moreover, lobsters were not able to fine-regulate α-amylase gene expression in spite of large changes in carbohydrate content of diet, while retaining some capacity to adapt α-amylase activity to very low carbohydrate content in the diets. In this review, we raised arguments for the need of more studies on the α-amylases of less studied decapods groups, including carnivorous species which rely more on dietary protein and lipids, to broaden our view of α-amylase in decapods crustaceans.
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Stumpp M, Saborowski R, Jungblut S, Liu HC, Hagen W. Dietary preferences of brachyuran crabs from Taiwan for marine or terrestrial food sources: evidence based on fatty acid trophic markers. Front Zool 2021; 18:26. [PMID: 34011355 PMCID: PMC8132384 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-021-00405-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trophic interactions are key processes, which determine the ecological function and performance of organisms. Many decapod crustaceans feed on plant material as a source for essential nutrients, e.g. polyunsaturated fatty acids. Strictly herbivorous feeding appears only occasionally in marine decapods but is common in land crabs. To verify food preferences and to establish trophic markers, we studied the lipid and fatty acid composition of the midgut glands of two marine crab species (Grapsus albolineatus and Percnon affine), one semi-terrestrial species (Orisarma intermedium, formerly Sesarmops intermedius), and one terrestrial species (Geothelphusa albogilva) from Taiwan. RESULTS All species showed a wide span of total lipid levels ranging from 4 to 42% of the dry mass (%DM) in the marine P. affine and from 3 to 25%DM in the terrestrial G. albogilva. Triacylglycerols (TAG) were the major storage lipid compound. The fatty acids 16:0, 18:1(n-9), and 20:4(n-6) prevailed in all species. Essential fatty acids such as 20:4(n-6) originated from the diet. Terrestrial species also showed relatively high amounts of 18:2(n-6), which is a trophic marker for vascular plants. The fatty acid compositions of the four species allow to clearly distinguish between marine and terrestrial herbivorous feeding due to significantly different amounts of 16:0, 18:1(n-9), and 18:2(n-6). CONCLUSIONS Based on the fatty acid composition, marine/terrestrial herbivory indices were defined and compared with regard to their resolution and differentiating capacity. These indices can help to reveal trophic preferences of unexplored species, particularly in habitats of border regions like mangrove intertidal flats and estuaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meike Stumpp
- University of Bremen, BreMarE (Bremen Marine Ecology), Marine Zoology, PO Box 330 440, 28334, Bremen, Germany. .,Christian-Albrechts-University, Zoological Institute, Am Botanischen Garten 3-9, 24118, Kiel, Germany.
| | - Reinhard Saborowski
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27515, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Simon Jungblut
- University of Bremen, BreMarE (Bremen Marine Ecology), Marine Zoology, PO Box 330 440, 28334, Bremen, Germany.,Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27515, Bremerhaven, Germany.,Present address: University of Bremen, BreMarE (Bremen Marine Ecology), Marine Botany, PO Box 330 440, 28334, Bremen, Germany
| | - Hung-Chang Liu
- Land Crab Ecology Research Laboratory, 53 Chenggong 11th St., Jubei City, Hsinchu County, 302, Taiwan
| | - Wilhelm Hagen
- University of Bremen, BreMarE (Bremen Marine Ecology), Marine Zoology, PO Box 330 440, 28334, Bremen, Germany.,University of Bremen, MARUM Center of Environmental Sciences, PO Box 330 440, 28334, Bremen, Germany
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Goeke JA, Armitage AR. Coastal woody encroachment reduces food quality for basal consumers. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Janelle A. Goeke
- Department of Marine Biology Texas A&M University at Galveston Galveston Texas77553USA
| | - Anna R. Armitage
- Department of Marine Biology Texas A&M University at Galveston Galveston Texas77553USA
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Presence and activity of endo-β-1,4-mannase, an important digestive carbohydrase within the digestive fluid of terrestrial crustaceans. J Comp Physiol B 2021; 191:243-253. [PMID: 33544166 DOI: 10.1007/s00360-021-01342-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Within the midgut gland of the Christmas Island red crab, Gecarcoidea natalis, a single transcript for a GH5_10 endo-β-1,4-mannase had the highest expression out of all of the carbohydrase enzymes (Gan et al. in Mar Biotechnol 20:654-665, 2018). The activity, and potential digestive importance of this hemicellulase, compared with other carbohydrases, has yet to be established. The digestive fluid of G. natalis contained substantial endo-β-1,4-mannase activities (630 ± 55 (6) nmol reducing sugars. min-1. mg-1 protein). It was present as a single isozyme of 66.3 ± 0.7 kDa (n = 6). Endo-β-1,4-mannase activities were higher than that for lichenase and endo-β-1,4-glucanase but lower than that for β-1,3-glucanase and amylase. The digestive fluid was able to hydrolyse, galactomannan, into its component monosaccharides. Hence, this confirms expression data that this enzyme is one of the most important digestive cellulases/ hemicellulases. Expression of GH5_10 endo-β-1,4-mannase mRNA was consistent with that of a digestive enzyme, as it was expressed in the digestive midgut gland but not in muscle and gill. Endo-β-1,4-mannase activities were also present within the digestive fluid of the terrestrial hermit crabs, Coenobita perlatus and Coenobita brevimanus. Endo-β-1,4-mannase activities (1351 ± 136 (n=3) nmol reducing sugars. min-1 mg-1 protein for C. perlatus. 665 ± 32 n=(5) nmol reducing sugars. min-1 mg-1 protein for C. brevimanus) were higher than that for endo-β-1,4-glucanase and amylase but were lower than β-1,3-glucanase activities. Animals within the terrestrial hermit crab family, Coenobitidae consume legume and palm seeds which contain substantial amounts of mannan. Hence, high endo-β-1,4-mannase activities suggest that digestion of mannan within these species may represent an important source of carbohydrate.
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Cannicci S, Fratini S, Meriggi N, Bacci G, Iannucci A, Mengoni A, Cavalieri D. To the Land and Beyond: Crab Microbiomes as a Paradigm for the Evolution of Terrestrialization. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:575372. [PMID: 33117320 PMCID: PMC7575764 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.575372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The transition to terrestrial environments by formerly aquatic species has occurred repeatedly in many animal phyla and lead to the vast diversity of extant terrestrial species. The differences between aquatic and terrestrial habitats are enormous and involved remarkable morphological and physiological changes. Convergent evolution of various traits is evident among phylogenetically distant taxa, but almost no information is available about the role of symbiotic microbiota in such transition. Here, we suggest that intertidal and terrestrial brachyuran crabs are a perfect model to study the evolutionary pathways and the ecological role of animal-microbiome symbioses, since their transition to land is happening right now, through a number of independent lineages. The microorganisms colonizing the gut of intertidal and terrestrial crabs are expected to play a major role to conquer the land, by reducing water losses and permitting the utilization of novel food sources. Indeed, it has been shown that the microbiomes hosted in the digestive system of terrestrial isopods has been critical to digest plant items, but nothing is known about the microbiomes present in the gut of truly terrestrial crabs. Other important physiological regulations that could be facilitated by microbiomes are nitrogen excretion and osmoregulation in the new environment. We also advocate for advances in comparative and functional genomics to uncover physiological aspects of these ongoing evolutionary processes. We think that the multidisciplinary study of microorganisms associated with terrestrial crabs will shed a completely new light on the biological and physiological processes involved in the sea-land transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Cannicci
- Swire Institute of Marine Science and Division of Ecology and Biodiversity, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Sara Fratini
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Niccolò Meriggi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bacci
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Alessio Mengoni
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Linton SM. Review: The structure and function of cellulase (endo-β-1,4-glucanase) and hemicellulase (β-1,3-glucanase and endo-β-1,4-mannase) enzymes in invertebrates that consume materials ranging from microbes, algae to leaf litter. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2019; 240:110354. [PMID: 31647988 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2019.110354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
This review discusses the reaction catalysed, and the structure and function of the cellulase, endo-β-1,4-glucanase and the hemicellulase enzymes, β-1,3-glucanase and endo-β-1,4-mannase that are present in numerous invertebrate groups with a diverse range of feeding specialisations. These range from microbial deposit and filter feeders, micro and macrophagous algal feeders, omnivores to herbivorous leaf litter and wood feeders. Endo-β-1,4-glucanase from glycosyl hydrolase family 9 (GH9) digests cellulose like β-1,4-glucans from a range of materials. As it hydrolyses crystalline cellulose very slowly, it is a poor cellulase. Where tested, the enzyme has dual endo-β-1,4-glucanase and lichenase activity. Its presence does not necessarily indicate the ability of an animal to digest cellulose. It only indicates the ability to digest β-1,4-glucans and its function, which is discussed in this review, should be considered with reference to the substrates present in the diet. β-1,3-glucanase (laminarinase) belongs to glycosyl hydrolase family 16 (GH16) and hydrolyses β-1.3-glucans. These polysaccharides are present in the cell walls of algae, protozoans and yeast, and they also occur as storage polysaccharides within protozoans and algae. Depending on their site of expression, these enzymes may function as a digestive enzyme or may be involved in innate immunity. Enzymes present in the digestive fluids or tissues, would be digestive. Haemolymph GH16 proteins may be involved in innate immunity through the activation of the phenol oxidase system. Insect GH16 proteins expressed within the haemolymph have lost their catalytic residues and function as β-glucan binding proteins. In contrast, crustacean GH16 proteins expressed within the same tissue, have retained the catalytic residues and thus possibly their β-1,3-glucanase activity. The potential function of which is discussed. Endo-β-1,4-mannase from glycosyl hydrolase family 5, subfamily 10 (GH5_10) hydrolyses mannan, glucomannan and galactomannan. These hemicelluloses are present in the cell walls of plants and algae and also function as storage polysaccharides within legume and palm seeds. They are digestive enzymes whose high expression in some species suggests they are a major contributor to hemicellulose digestion. They may also provide the animal with substantial amounts of monosaccharides for energy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart M Linton
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, VIC 3216, Australia.
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Gan HM, Linton SM, Austin CM. Two reads to rule them all: Nanopore long read-guided assembly of the iconic Christmas Island red crab, Gecarcoidea natalis (Pocock, 1888), mitochondrial genome and the challenges of AT-rich mitogenomes. Mar Genomics 2019; 45:64-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.margen.2019.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Hammer TJ, Sanders JG, Fierer N. Not all animals need a microbiome. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2019; 366:5499024. [DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnz117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACTIt is often taken for granted that all animals host and depend upon a microbiome, yet this has only been shown for a small proportion of species. We propose that animals span a continuum of reliance on microbial symbionts. At one end are the famously symbiont-dependent species such as aphids, humans, corals and cows, in which microbes are abundant and important to host fitness. In the middle are species that may tolerate some microbial colonization but are only minimally or facultatively dependent. At the other end are species that lack beneficial symbionts altogether. While their existence may seem improbable, animals are capable of limiting microbial growth in and on their bodies, and a microbially independent lifestyle may be favored by selection under some circumstances. There is already evidence for several ‘microbiome-free’ lineages that represent distantly related branches in the animal phylogeny. We discuss why these animals have received such little attention, highlighting the potential for contaminants, transients, and parasites to masquerade as beneficial symbionts. We also suggest ways to explore microbiomes that address the limitations of DNA sequencing. We call for further research on microbiome-free taxa to provide a more complete understanding of the ecology and evolution of macrobe-microbe interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobin J Hammer
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, 2506 Speedway, NMS 4.216, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Jon G Sanders
- Cornell Institute of Host–Microbe Interactions and Disease, Cornell University, E145 Corson Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Noah Fierer
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado at Boulder, 216 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado at Boulder, CIRES Bldg. Rm. 318, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
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McGaw IJ, Van Leeuwen TE, Trehern RH, Bates AE. Changes in precipitation may alter food preference in an ecosystem engineer, the black land crab, Gecarcinus ruricola. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6818. [PMID: 31119071 PMCID: PMC6511230 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Gecarcinid land crabs are ecosystem engineers playing an important role in nutrient recycling and seedling propagation in coastal forests. Given a predicted future decline in precipitation for the Caribbean, the effects of dehydration on feeding preferences of the black land crab Gecarcinus ruricola were investigated. G. ruricola were offered novel food items of lettuce, apple, or herring to test for food choice based on water and nutritional (energetic) content in single and multiple choice experimental designs. The effect of dehydration was incorporated by depriving crabs of water for 0, 4, or 8 days, leading to an average body water loss of 0%, 9%, and 17%, respectively, (crabs survived a body water loss of 23% + 2% and 14-16 days without access to water). The results were consistent between the single and multiple choice experiments: crabs consumed relatively more apple and fish and only small amounts of lettuce. Overall, no selective preferences were observed as a function of dehydration, but crabs did consume less dry food when deprived of water and an overall lower food intake with increasing dehydration levels occurred. The decrease in feeding was likely due to loss of water from the gut resulting in the inability to produce ample digestive juices. Future climatic predictions suggest a 25-50% decline in rainfall in the Caribbean, which may lead to a lower food intake by the crabs, resulting in compromised growth. The subsequent reduction in nutrient recycling highlights possible long-term effects on coastal ecosystems and highlights the importance of future work on climate relative behavioral interactions that influence ecosystem function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iain J McGaw
- Department of Ocean Sciences, Memorial University, St Johns, NL, Canada
| | | | | | - Amanda E Bates
- Department of Ocean Sciences, Memorial University, St Johns, NL, Canada
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Miyake K, Ura K, Chida S, Ueda Y, Baba Y, Kusube T, Yanai S. Guaiacol oxidation activity of herbivorous land crabs, Chiromantes haematocheir and Chiromantes dehaani. J Biosci Bioeng 2019; 128:316-322. [PMID: 30948188 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2019.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The land crabs, Chiromantes haematocheir (Akate-gani) and Chiromantes dehaani (Kurobenkei-gani) inhabit seaside forests in Japan. The crabs mainly consume plant material and its detritus. Therefore, they are expected to possess the ability to degrade the major components of biomass, cellulose and lignin in order to digest plant materials. In this study, we analyzed biomass-degrading activities of the land crabs, especially guaiacol oxidation activity, which seems to be related to lignin degradation. Cellulase activity was detected from almost all gut samples including the stomach, midgut gland and intestine of all dissected crabs. Conversely, high guaiacol oxidation activity was detected in the midgut gland of all C. dehaani and several female C. haematocheir crabs. This is consistent with a previous study showing that female crabs were more herbivorous than male crabs were and observation that C. dehaani crabs are more herbivorous than C. haematocheir. Guaiacol oxidation activity might play an important role in the herbivorous behavior of land crabs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuhide Miyake
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Meijo University, 1-501 Shiogamaguchi, Tenpaku, Nagoya, Aichi 468-8502, Japan.
| | - Kaori Ura
- Research Institute for Bioresources and Biotechnology, Ishikawa Prefectural University, 1-308 Suematsu, Nonoichi, Ishikawa 921-8836, Japan
| | - Shinnosuke Chida
- Research Institute for Bioresources and Biotechnology, Ishikawa Prefectural University, 1-308 Suematsu, Nonoichi, Ishikawa 921-8836, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Ueda
- Research Institute for Bioresources and Biotechnology, Ishikawa Prefectural University, 1-308 Suematsu, Nonoichi, Ishikawa 921-8836, Japan
| | - Yasunori Baba
- Research Institute for Bioresources and Biotechnology, Ishikawa Prefectural University, 1-308 Suematsu, Nonoichi, Ishikawa 921-8836, Japan
| | - Takasei Kusube
- Research Institute for Bioresources and Biotechnology, Ishikawa Prefectural University, 1-308 Suematsu, Nonoichi, Ishikawa 921-8836, Japan
| | - Seiji Yanai
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Bioresources and Environmental Sciences, Ishikawa Prefectural University, 1-308 Suematsu, Nonoichi, Ishikawa 921-8836, Japan
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Pereira TM, Nóbrega GN, Ferreira TO, Ogawa CY, de Camargo PB, Feitosa Silva JR, Rezende CF. Does food partitioning vary in leaf-eating crabs in response to source quality? MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 144:72-83. [PMID: 30600094 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2018.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 12/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Mangroves have a relevant ecosystem function due to their efficiency in blue carbon sequestration. Autotrophic carbon conservation in mangroves remains controversial. In this sense, autotrophic nutrient assimilation by crabs can highlight their ecosystem function. This study aims to identify the relationship between quality sources and food partitioning in two leaf-eating crabs, Ucides cordatus and Goniopsis cruentata. Quantification of the litterfall biomass, analysis of the soil, the C/N ratio and stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) were used to evaluate food sources and crab tissues in two mangrove forests. The litterfall and soil C contents and C/N ratios of the Pacoti River (PR) were higher than those of the Jaguaribe River. The higher C/N ratios of the litterfall of the PR led to higher nitrogen ingestion from complementary food sources (soil and omnivorous invertebrates). The nutritional requirements and food partitioning behavior of both species emphasize the ecosystem functions of leaf-eating crabs concerning the assimilation and conservation of autotrophic carbon and nitrogen in mangroves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Maciel Pereira
- Departamento de Biologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Av. Mister Hull s/n, CEP: 60455-760, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
| | - Gabriel Nuto Nóbrega
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geociências (Geoquímica), Departamento de Geoquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro São João Baptista s/n, CEP: 24020-141, Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Tiago Osório Ferreira
- Departamento de Ciência do Solo, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Pádua Dias 11, CEP: 13418-900, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
| | - Cynthia Yuri Ogawa
- Departamento de Biologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Av. Mister Hull s/n, CEP: 60455-760, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
| | - Plínio Barbosa de Camargo
- Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura, Laboratório de Ecologia Isotópica, Universidade de São Paulo, CEP: 13416903, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
| | - José Roberto Feitosa Silva
- Departamento de Biologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Av. Mister Hull s/n, CEP: 60455-760, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
| | - Carla Ferreira Rezende
- Departamento de Biologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Av. Mister Hull s/n, CEP: 60455-760, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
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Gan HM, Austin C, Linton S. Transcriptome-Guided Identification of Carbohydrate Active Enzymes (CAZy) from the Christmas Island Red Crab, Gecarcoidea natalis and a Vote for the Inclusion of Transcriptome-Derived Crustacean CAZys in Comparative Studies. MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2018; 20:654-665. [PMID: 29995174 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-018-9836-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The Christmas Island red crab, Gecarcoidea natalis, is an herbivorous land crab that consumes mostly fallen leaf litter. In order to subsist, G. natalis would need to have developed specialised digestive enzymes capable of supplying significant amounts of metabolisable sugars from this diet. To gain insights into the carbohydrate metabolism of G. natalis, a transcriptome assembly was performed, with a specific focus on identifying transcripts coding for carbohydrate active enzyme (CAZy) using in silico approaches. Transcriptome sequencing of the midgut gland identified 70 CAZy-coding transcripts with varying expression values. At least three newly discovered putative GH9 endo-β-1,4-glucanase ("classic cellulase") transcripts were highly expressed in the midgut gland in addition to the previously characterised GH9 and GH16 (β-1,3-glucanase) transcripts, and underscoring the utility of whole transcriptome in uncovering new CAZy-coding transcripts. A highly expressed transcript coding for GH5_10 previously missed by conventional screening of cellulase activity was inferred to be a novel endo-β-1,4-mannase in G. natalis with in silico support from homology modelling and amino acid alignment with other functionally validated GH5_10 proteins. Maximum likelihood tree reconstruction of the GH5_10 proteins demonstrates the phylogenetic affiliation of the G. natalis GH5_10 transcript to that of other decapods, supporting endogenous expression. Surprisingly, crustacean-derived GH5_10 transcripts were near absent in the current CAZy database and yet mining of the transcriptome shotgun assembly (TSA) recovered more than 100 crustacean GH5_10s in addition to several other biotechnological relevant CAZys, underscoring the unappreciated potential of the TSA database as a valuable resource for crustacean CAZys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Ming Gan
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
- Genomics Facility, Tropical and Medicine Biology Platform, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Christopher Austin
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
- Genomics Facility, Tropical and Medicine Biology Platform, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Stuart Linton
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia.
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18
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Bredon M, Dittmer J, Noël C, Moumen B, Bouchon D. Lignocellulose degradation at the holobiont level: teamwork in a keystone soil invertebrate. MICROBIOME 2018; 6:162. [PMID: 30223906 PMCID: PMC6142342 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-018-0536-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Woodlice are recognized as keystone species in terrestrial ecosystems due to their role in the decomposition of organic matter. Thus, they contribute to lignocellulose degradation and nutrient cycling in the environment together with other macroarthropods. Lignocellulose is the main component of plants and is composed of cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose. Its digestion requires the action of multiple Carbohydrate-Active enZymes (called CAZymes), typically acting together as a cocktail with complementary, synergistic activities and modes of action. Some invertebrates express a few endogenous lignocellulose-degrading enzymes but in most species, an efficient degradation and digestion of lignocellulose can only be achieved through mutualistic associations with endosymbionts. Similar to termites, it has been suspected that several bacterial symbionts may be involved in lignocellulose degradation in terrestrial isopods, by completing the CAZyme repertoire of their hosts. RESULTS To test this hypothesis, host transcriptomic and microbiome shotgun metagenomic datasets were obtained and investigated from the pill bug Armadillidium vulgare. Many genes of bacterial and archaeal origin coding for CAZymes were identified in the metagenomes of several host tissues and the gut content of specimens from both laboratory lineages and a natural population of A. vulgare. Some of them may be involved in the degradation of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Reconstructing a lignocellulose-degrading microbial community based on the prokaryotic taxa contributing relevant CAZymes revealed two taxonomically distinct but functionally redundant microbial communities depending on host origin. In parallel, endogenous CAZymes were identified from the transcriptome of the host and their expression in digestive tissues was demonstrated by RT-qPCR, demonstrating a complementary enzyme repertoire for lignocellulose degradation from both the host and the microbiome in A. vulgare. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide new insights into the role of the microbiome in the evolution of terrestrial isopods and their adaptive radiation in terrestrial habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Bredon
- Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions-UMR CNRS 7267, Equipe Ecologie Evolution Symbiose-Batiment B8-B35, Université de Poitiers, 5 rue Albert Turpain, TSA 51106, F-86073 Poitiers Cedex 9, France
| | - Jessica Dittmer
- Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions-UMR CNRS 7267, Equipe Ecologie Evolution Symbiose-Batiment B8-B35, Université de Poitiers, 5 rue Albert Turpain, TSA 51106, F-86073 Poitiers Cedex 9, France
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Cyril Noël
- Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions-UMR CNRS 7267, Equipe Ecologie Evolution Symbiose-Batiment B8-B35, Université de Poitiers, 5 rue Albert Turpain, TSA 51106, F-86073 Poitiers Cedex 9, France
| | - Bouziane Moumen
- Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions-UMR CNRS 7267, Equipe Ecologie Evolution Symbiose-Batiment B8-B35, Université de Poitiers, 5 rue Albert Turpain, TSA 51106, F-86073 Poitiers Cedex 9, France
| | - Didier Bouchon
- Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions-UMR CNRS 7267, Equipe Ecologie Evolution Symbiose-Batiment B8-B35, Université de Poitiers, 5 rue Albert Turpain, TSA 51106, F-86073 Poitiers Cedex 9, France
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19
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Carvalho DA, Collins PA, Lima-Gomes R, Magalhães C, Torres MV, Williner V. A comparative study of the gastric ossicles of Trichodactylidae crabs (Brachyura: Decapoda) with comments on the role of diet and phylogeny in shaping morphological traits. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5028. [PMID: 29942694 PMCID: PMC6014321 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The gastric armature of decapod foregut is a feeding structure that sparks controversial debates about the role dietary and historical components have in shaping its morphological traits. Having previous information about the natural diet is an interesting way to gather evidence on this issue. For the present study, we analyzed the morphological traits of gastric ossicles involved directly in the maceration of food in nine species of freshwater crabs of the family Trichodactylidae (Brachyura: Decapoda) representing five genera, three tribes and two subfamilies. The analyzed gastric ossicles were quite consistent among closely related species, suggesting that the observed traits had a clear phylogenetic component. However, it was also noted that the morphological traits of the gastric teeth of trichodactylid crabs match well with the natural diet and presented likeness with general features of other species with a similar trophic habit. We discuss the influence of phylogeny and function on the design of morphological traits and propose to quantify the role of phylogeny and function in shaping morphological traits through the analysis of phylogenetic signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Débora A Carvalho
- Instituto Nacional de Limnología, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Pablo A Collins
- Instituto Nacional de Limnología, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Renata Lima-Gomes
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Célio Magalhães
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Maria Victoria Torres
- Instituto Nacional de Limnología, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Verónica Williner
- Instituto Nacional de Limnología, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
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20
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cDNA sequences of GHF9 endo-β-1,4-glucanases in terrestrial Crustacea. Gene 2018; 642:408-422. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2017.11.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Abstract
About half of the world's animal species are arthropods associated with plants, and the ability to consume plant material has been proposed to be an important trait associated with the spectacular diversification of terrestrial insects. We review the phylogenetic distribution of plant feeding in the Crustacea, the other major group of arthropods that commonly consume plants, to estimate how often plant feeding has arisen and to test whether this dietary transition is associated with higher species numbers in extant clades. We present evidence that at least 31 lineages of marine, freshwater, and terrestrial crustaceans (including 64 families and 185 genera) have independently overcome the challenges of consuming plant material. These plant-feeding clades are, on average, 21-fold more speciose than their sister taxa, indicating that a shift in diet is associated with increased net rates of diversification. In contrast to herbivorous insects, most crustaceans have very broad diets, and the increased richness of taxa that include plants in their diet likely results from access to a novel resource base rather than host-associated divergence.
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22
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Carvalho DDA, Viozzi MF, Collins PA, Williner V. Functional morphology of comminuting feeding structures of Trichodactylus borellianus (Brachyura, Decapoda, Trichodactylidae), an omnivorous freshwater crab. ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2017; 46:472-482. [PMID: 28552665 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2017.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Revised: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Crustaceans exhibit great diversity of feeding structures with morphological traits that are useful to infer the general trophic habits of species. In this study, we analyzed the functional morphology of comminuting feeding structures (mandibles, chelipeds, gastric mill) of the freshwater crab Trichodactylus borellianus directly related with the food fragmentation. The heterochely and mechanical advantage (MA) of the chelae were also studied. In both analyses, we considered the relationship between morphology and the natural diet. We expected to find a consistent relation between feeding habits and morphological traits. In general, we found simple structures armed with uniform setal systems and feeding appendages without pronounced teeth or spines. Mandibles have primarily cutting functions, helping with the food anchoring and fragmentation with mandibular palps armed with pappose setae. Chelipeds were covered with spines and simple setae. Adult males exhibited right-handedness with high MA of the major chelae. The ingested, relatively large pieces of food are finally chewed by a gastric mill equipped with sharp cusps characteristic of decapods with low ingestion of crude fiber material. The morphology of the feeding apparatus revealed that it is well adapted to an omnivorous diet, being able to cope with dietary changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Débora de Azevedo Carvalho
- Instituto Nacional de Limnología, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Paraje "El Pozo" Ciudad Universitaria S/N, CP 3000, Santa Fe Capital, Argentina.
| | - Maria Florencia Viozzi
- Instituto Nacional de Limnología, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Paraje "El Pozo" Ciudad Universitaria S/N, CP 3000, Santa Fe Capital, Argentina
| | - Pablo Agustín Collins
- Instituto Nacional de Limnología, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Paraje "El Pozo" Ciudad Universitaria S/N, CP 3000, Santa Fe Capital, Argentina; Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Paraje "El Pozo" Ciudad Universitaria S/N, CP 3000, Santa Fe Capital, Argentina
| | - Verónica Williner
- Instituto Nacional de Limnología, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Paraje "El Pozo" Ciudad Universitaria S/N, CP 3000, Santa Fe Capital, Argentina; Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Paraje "El Pozo" Ciudad Universitaria S/N, CP 3000, Santa Fe Capital, Argentina
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23
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Belgrad BA, Griffen BD. The Influence of Diet Composition on Fitness of the Blue Crab, Callinectes sapidus. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0145481. [PMID: 26784581 PMCID: PMC4718683 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Accepted: 12/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The physiological condition and fecundity of an organism is frequently controlled by diet. As changes in environmental conditions often cause organisms to alter their foraging behavior, a comprehensive understanding of how diet influences the fitness of an individual is central to predicting the effect of environmental change on population dynamics. We experimentally manipulated the diet of the economically and ecologically important blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, to approximate the effects of a dietary shift from primarily animal to plant tissue, a phenomenon commonly documented in crabs. Crabs whose diet consisted exclusively of animal tissue had markedly lower mortality and consumed substantially more food than crabs whose diet consisted exclusively of seaweed. The quantity of food consumed had a significant positive influence on reproductive effort and long-term energy stores. Additionally, seaweed diets produced a three-fold decrease in hepatopancreas lipid content and a simultaneous two-fold increase in crab aggression when compared to an animal diet. Our results reveal that the consumption of animal tissue substantially enhanced C. sapidus fitness, and suggest that a dietary shift to plant tissue may reduce crab population growth by decreasing fecundity as well as increasing mortality. This study has implications for C. sapidus fisheries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin A. Belgrad
- School of Earth, Ocean, and Environment, Marine Science Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Blaine D. Griffen
- School of Earth, Ocean, and Environment, Marine Science Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
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Linton SM, Cameron MS, Gray MC, Donald JA, Saborowski R, von Bergen M, Tomm JM, Allardyce BJ. A glycosyl hydrolase family 16 gene is responsible for the endogenous production of β-1,3-glucanases within decapod crustaceans. Gene 2015; 569:203-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2015.05.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2014] [Revised: 04/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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25
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Bui TH, Lee SY. Endogenous cellulase production in the leaf litter foraging mangrove crab Parasesarma erythodactyla. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2015; 179:27-36. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2014.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Revised: 09/10/2014] [Accepted: 09/10/2014] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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26
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Williner V, Carvalho DA, Collins PA. Feeding spectra and activity of the freshwater crab Trichodactylus kensleyi (Decapoda: Brachyura: Trichodactylidae) at La Plata basin. Zool Stud 2014. [DOI: 10.1186/s40555-014-0071-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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27
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Linton SM, Saborowski R, Shirley AJ, Penny JA. Digestive enzymes of two brachyuran and two anomuran land crabs from Christmas Island, Indian Ocean. J Comp Physiol B 2014; 184:449-68. [PMID: 24566501 DOI: 10.1007/s00360-014-0815-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2013] [Revised: 01/28/2014] [Accepted: 02/06/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The digestive ability of four sympatric land crabs species (the gecarcinids, Gecarcoidea natalis and Discoplax celeste and the anomurans, Birgus latro and Coenobita perlatus) was examined by determining the activity of their digestive enzymes. The gecarcinids are detritivores that consume mainly leaf litter; the robber crab, B. latro, is an omnivore that preferentially consumes items high in lipid, carbohydrate and/or protein; C. perlatus is also an omnivore/detritivore. All species possess protease, lipase and amylase activity for hydrolysing ubiquitous protein, lipid and storage polysaccharides (glycogen and starch). Similarly all species possess enzymes such as N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase, the cellulases, endo-β-1,4-glucanase and β-glucohydrolase and hemicellulases, lichenase and laminarinase for the respective hydrolysis of structural substrates chitin, cellulose and hemicelluloses, lichenan and laminarin. Except for the enzyme activities of C. perlatus, enzyme activity could not be correlated to dietary preference. Perhaps others factors such as olfactory and locomotor ability and metabolic status may determine the observed dietary preferences. The digestive fluid of C. perlatus possessed higher endo-β-1,4-glucanase, lichenase and laminarinase activities compared to that of the other species. Thus, C. perlatus may be efficient at digestion of cellulose and hemicellulose within plant material. Zymography indicated that the majority of protease, lipase, phosphatase, amylase, endo-β-1,4-glucanase, β-glucohydrolase and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase isozymes were common to all species, and hence were inherited from a common aquatic ancestor. Differences were observed for the phosphatase, lipase and endo-β-1,4-glucanase isozymes. These differences are discussed in relation to phylogeny and possible evolution to cope with the adoption of a terrestrial diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart M Linton
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, VIC, 3217, Australia,
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28
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Abstract
In vertebrates and invertebrates, morphological and functional features of gastrointestinal (GI) tracts generally reflect food chemistry, such as content of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and material(s) refractory to rapid digestion (e.g., cellulose). The expression of digestive enzymes and nutrient transporters approximately matches the dietary load of their respective substrates, with relatively modest excess capacity. Mechanisms explaining differences in hydrolase activity between populations and species include gene copy number variations and single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Transcriptional and posttranscriptional adjustments mediate phenotypic changes in the expression of hydrolases and transporters in response to dietary signals. Many species respond to higher food intake by flexibly increasing digestive compartment size. Fermentative processes by symbiotic microorganisms are important for cellulose degradation but are relatively slow, so animals that rely on those processes typically possess special enlarged compartment(s) to maintain a microbiota and other GI structures that slow digesta flow. The taxon richness of the gut microbiota, usually identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, is typically an order of magnitude greater in vertebrates than invertebrates, and the interspecific variation in microbial composition is strongly influenced by diet. Many of the nutrient transporters are orthologous across different animal phyla, though functional details may vary (e.g., glucose and amino acid transport with K+ rather than Na+ as a counter ion). Paracellular absorption is important in many birds. Natural toxins are ubiquitous in foods and may influence key features such as digesta transit, enzymatic breakdown, microbial fermentation, and absorption.
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Affiliation(s)
- William H Karasov
- Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
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Griffen BD. Linking individual diet variation and fecundity in an omnivorous marine consumer. Oecologia 2013; 174:121-30. [PMID: 23996228 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-013-2751-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2013] [Accepted: 08/14/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Individual diet variation is a common feature of populations. This variation may be particularly common in near-shore marine benthic habitats where omnivory is prevalent and prey availability is spatially variable. Accurately predicting population responses to anthropogenic change that is occurring rapidly in these systems requires a quantitative link between individual diet variation and fecundity. Here I develop this quantitative link for the European green crab Carcinus maenas, specifically focusing on variation in the relative amounts of plant and animal material included in the diet. I demonstrate both short- and long-term diet variation between crabs as well as large individual variation in fecundity. I then quantitatively link variation in diet and fecundity using a laboratory feeding experiment. Fecundity increased by approximately 5,200 eggs when daily consumption of animal tissue increased by 1% of body weight, but was not influenced by the most commonly consumed algal species. Results presented here have important implications for understanding population dynamics in general, and also provide information necessary for accurately predicting population growth of this widespread invader.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blaine D Griffen
- Department of Biological Sciences and Marine Science Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA,
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McGaw IJ, Curtis DL. A review of gastric processing in decapod crustaceans. J Comp Physiol B 2012; 183:443-65. [DOI: 10.1007/s00360-012-0730-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2012] [Revised: 11/19/2012] [Accepted: 11/23/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Han D, Yang D, Lee EJ, Park S. Food web structure in aSalix subfragilisdominated wetland in Hangang estuary using stable isotopes and fatty acid biomarkers. Anim Cells Syst (Seoul) 2012. [DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2011.620623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
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Allardyce BJ, Linton SM. Synergistic interaction of an endo-β-1,4-glucanase and a β-glucohydrolase leads to more efficient hydrolysis of cellulose-like polymers in the gecarcinid land crab, Gecarcoidea natalis. AUST J ZOOL 2012. [DOI: 10.1071/zo12074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated synergism between endo-β-1,4-glucanase and β-glucohydrolase enzymes from Gecarcoidea natalis. Together, these enzymes efficiently hydrolyse the cellulose-like polymer, carboxymethyl cellulose, to glucose. Endo-β-1,4-glucanase and β-glucohydrolase, isolated previously from G. natalis, were incubated in vitro using a ratio of the measured activities that matches that found in their digestive juice (5.4 : 1). Their combined activity, measured as the release of glucose from carboxymethyl cellulose, was greater than the sum of their separate activities. Hence they synergistically released glucose from carboxymethyl cellulose (degree of synergy: 1.27). This may be due to the complementary nature of the products of endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity and the preferred substrates of the β-glucohydrolase. β-glucohydrolase may also enhance cellulose hydrolysis by removing cellobiose, a potential competitive inhibitor of endo-β-1,4-glucanase. The synergistic interaction of these two enzymes further supports the previous suggestion that this species possesses a novel two-enzyme cellulase system that differs from the traditional three-enzyme fungal model.
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Linton SM, Shirley AJ. Isozymes from the herbivorous gecarcinid land crab, Gecarcoidea natalis that possess both lichenase and endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2011; 160:44-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2011.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2011] [Revised: 05/26/2011] [Accepted: 05/26/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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34
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Linton SM. Authors' response to the letter to the editor. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2011.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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35
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Lomate PR, Sanatan PT, Kalve ND, Hivrale VK. Characterization and Applicability of Digestive Proteinases from Hepatopancreas ofBarytelphusa cunicularis. FOOD BIOTECHNOL 2011. [DOI: 10.1080/08905436.2011.547111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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36
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Karasov WH, Martínez del Rio C, Caviedes-Vidal E. Ecological physiology of diet and digestive systems. Annu Rev Physiol 2011; 73:69-93. [PMID: 21314432 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-physiol-012110-142152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 186] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The morphological and functional design of gastrointestinal tracts of many vertebrates and invertebrates can be explained largely by the interaction between diet chemical constituents and principles of economic design, both of which are embodied in chemical reactor models of gut function. Natural selection seems to have led to the expression of digestive features that approximately match digestive capacities with dietary loads while exhibiting relatively modest excess. Mechanisms explaining differences in hydrolase activity between populations and species include gene copy number variations and single-nucleotide polymorphisms. In many animals, both transcriptional adjustment and posttranscriptional adjustment mediate phenotypic flexibility in the expression of intestinal hydrolases and transporters in response to dietary signals. Digestive performance of animals depends also on their gastrointestinal microbiome. The microbiome seems to be characterized by large beta diversity among hosts and by a common core metagenome and seems to differ flexibly among animals with different diets.
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Affiliation(s)
- William H Karasov
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 53706, USA.
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Allardyce BJ, Linton SM. Characterisation of cellulose and hemicellulose digestion in land crabs with special reference to Gecarcoidea natalis. AUST J ZOOL 2011. [DOI: 10.1071/zo11054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
This article reviews the current knowledge of cellulose and hemicellulose digestion by herbivorous land crabs using the gecarcinid Gecarcoidea natalis as a model species for this group. Cellulose digestion in the gecarcinids is hypothesised to require mechanical fragmentation and enzymatic hydrolysis. Mechanical fragmentation is achieved by the chelae, mandibles and gastric mill, which reduce the material to particles less than 53 µm. The gastric mill shows adaptations towards a plant diet; in particular, there are transverse ridges on the medial and lateral teeth and ventral cusps on the lateral teeth that complement and interlock to provide efficient cutting surfaces. Enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose and hemicellulose is achieved through cellulase and hemicellulase enzymes. In the gecarcinids, 2–3 endo-β-1,4-glucanases, one β-glucohydrolase and a laminarinase have been identified. The endo-β-1,4-glucanases are multifunctional, with both endo-β-1,4-glucanase and lichenase activity. Complete cellulose hydrolysis is achieved through the synergistic action of the endo-β-1,4-glucanase and β-glucohydrolase. The evidence for the endogenous production of the cellulase and hemicellulase enzymes, their evolutionary origin and possible evolution in invertebrates as they colonised land is also discussed.
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Barboza PS, Bennett A, Lignot JH, Mackie RI, McWhorter TJ, Secor SM, Skovgaard N, Sundset MA, Wang T. Digestive challenges for vertebrate animals: microbial diversity, cardiorespiratory coupling, and dietary specialization. Physiol Biochem Zool 2010; 83:764-74. [PMID: 20578844 DOI: 10.1086/650472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The digestive system is the interface between the supply of food for an animal and the demand for energy and nutrients to maintain the body, to grow, and to reproduce. Digestive systems are not morphologically static but rather dynamically respond to changes in the physical and chemical characteristics of the diet and the level of food intake. In this article, we discuss three themes that affect the ability of an animal to alter digestive function in relation to novel substrates and changing food supply: (1) the fermentative digestion in herbivores, (2) the integration of cardiopulmonary and digestive functions, and (3) the evolution of dietary specialization. Herbivores consume, digest, and detoxify complex diets by using a wide variety of enzymes expressed by bacteria, predominantly in the phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Carnivores, such as snakes that feed intermittently, sometimes process very large meals that require compensatory adjustments in blood flow, acid secretion, and regulation of acid-base homeostasis. Snakes and birds that specialize in simple diets of prey or nectar retain their ability to digest a wider selection of prey. The digestive system continues to be of interest to comparative physiologists because of its plasticity, both phenotypic and evolutionary, and because of its widespread integration with other physiological systems, including thermoregulation, circulation, ventilation, homeostasis, immunity, and reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- P S Barboza
- Department of Biology and Wildlife, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA.
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Allardyce BJ, Linton SM, Saborowski R. The last piece in the cellulase puzzle: the characterisation of beta-glucosidase from the herbivorous gecarcinid land crab Gecarcoidea natalis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 213:2950-7. [PMID: 20709923 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.041582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A 160 kDa enzyme with beta-glucosidase activity was purified from the midgut gland of the land crab Gecarcoidea natalis. The enzyme was capable of releasing glucose progressively from cellobiose, cellotriose or cellotetraose. Although beta-glucosidases (EC 3.2.1.21) have some activity towards substrates longer than cellobiose, the enzyme was classified as a glucohydrolase (EC 3.2.1.74) as it had a preference for larger substrates (cellobiose<cellotriose=cellotetraose). It was able to synthesise some cellotetraose by the transglycosylation of smaller substrates - another common feature of glucohydrolases. The interaction between the glucohydrolase described here and the endo-beta-1,4-glucanases described previously for G. natalis provides a complete model for cellulose hydrolysis in crustaceans and possibly in other invertebrates. After mechanical fragmentation by the gastric mill, multiple endo-beta-1,4-glucanases would initially cleave beta-1,4-glycosidic bonds within native cellulose, releasing small oligomers, including cellobiose, cellotriose and cellotetraose. The glucohydrolase would then attach to these oligomers, progressively releasing glucose. The glucohydrolase might also attach directly to crystalline cellulose to release glucose from free chain ends. This two-enzyme system differs from the traditional model, which suggests that total cellulose hydrolysis requires the presence an endo-beta-1,4-glucanse, a cellobiohydrolase and a beta-glucosidase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Allardyce
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Pigdons Road, Geelong, Victoria, 3217, Australia.
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Allardyce BJ, Linton SM. Functional morphology of the gastric mills of carnivorous, omnivorous, and herbivorous land crabs. J Morphol 2010; 271:61-72. [PMID: 19623627 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.10781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Terrestrial decapods consume a wide variety of plant and animal material. The potential adaptations of carnivorous, omnivorous, and herbivorous terrestrial crustaceans were studied by examining the functional morphology of the gastric mill. Two closely related species from each feeding preference group were examined to identify which features of the mill were due to phylogeny and which were due to adaptation. The morphology of the gastric mill matched the diet well; the gastric mills of the carnivorous species (Geograpsus grayi and Geograpsus crinipes) possessed a blunt, rounded medial tooth and flattened lateral teeth with a longitudinal grinding groove. These features make them well suited to a carnivorous diet of soft animal tissue as well as hard material, such as arthropod exoskeleton. In contrast, the mill of the herbivorous gecarcinids (Gecarcoidea natalis and Discoplax hirtipes) consisted of a medial tooth with sharp transverse ridges and lateral teeth with sharp interlocking cusps and ridges and no grinding surface. These features would efficiently shred fibrous plant material. The morphology of the mill of the omnivorous coenobitids (Coenobita perlatus and Birgus latro) was more generalized toward a mixed diet. However, the mill of B. latro was more adapted to deal with highly nutritious food items, such as nuts and heavily calcified decapods. Its mill possessed lateral teeth with extended ridges, which sat close to the calcified cardiopyloric valve to form a flattened floor. Hard items trapped in the mill would be crushed against this surface by the medial tooth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Allardyce
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria 3217, Australia.
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Linton S, Barrow L, Davies C, Harman L. Potential endocrine disruption of ovary synthesis in the Christmas Island red crab Gecarcoidea natalis by the insecticide pyriproxyfen. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2009; 154:289-97. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2009.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2008] [Revised: 02/12/2009] [Accepted: 02/14/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Zeis B, Lamkemeyer T, Paul RJ, Nunes F, Schwerin S, Koch M, Schütz W, Madlung J, Fladerer C, Pirow R. Acclimatory responses of the Daphnia pulex proteome to environmental changes. I. Chronic exposure to hypoxia affects the oxygen transport system and carbohydrate metabolism. BMC PHYSIOLOGY 2009; 9:7. [PMID: 19383146 PMCID: PMC2678976 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6793-9-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2007] [Accepted: 04/21/2009] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Background Freshwater planktonic crustaceans of the genus Daphnia show a remarkable plasticity to cope with environmental changes in oxygen concentration and temperature. One of the key proteins of adaptive gene control in Daphnia pulex under hypoxia is hemoglobin (Hb), which increases in hemolymph concentration by an order of magnitude and shows an enhanced oxygen affinity due to changes in subunit composition. To explore the full spectrum of adaptive protein expression in response to low-oxygen conditions, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry were used to analyze the proteome composition of animals acclimated to normoxia (oxygen partial pressure [Po2]: 20 kPa) and hypoxia (Po2: 3 kPa), respectively. Results The comparative proteome analysis showed an up-regulation of more than 50 protein spots under hypoxia. Identification of a major share of these spots revealed acclimatory changes for Hb, glycolytic enzymes (enolase), and enzymes involved in the degradation of storage and structural carbohydrates (e.g. cellubiohydrolase). Proteolytic enzymes remained constitutively expressed on a high level. Conclusion Acclimatory adjustments of the D. pulex proteome to hypoxia included a strong induction of Hb and carbohydrate-degrading enzymes. The scenario of adaptive protein expression under environmental hypoxia can be interpreted as a process to improve oxygen transport and carbohydrate provision for the maintenance of ATP production, even during short episodes of tissue hypoxia requiring support from anaerobic metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Zeis
- Institute of Zoophysiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
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Linton SM, Allardyce BJ, Hagen W, Wencke P, Saborowski R. Food utilisation and digestive ability of aquatic and semi-terrestrial crayfishes, Cherax destructor and Engaeus sericatus (Astacidae, Parastacidae). J Comp Physiol B 2009; 179:493-507. [DOI: 10.1007/s00360-008-0332-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2008] [Revised: 12/15/2008] [Accepted: 12/16/2008] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Allardyce BJ, Linton SM. Purification and characterisation of endo-β-1,4-glucanase and laminarinase enzymes from the gecarcinid land crab Gecarcoidea natalis and the aquatic crayfish Cherax destructor. J Exp Biol 2008; 211:2275-87. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.017657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARY
Laminarinase and endo-β-1,4-glucanase were purified and characterised from the midgut gland of the herbivorous land crab Gecarcoidea natalis and the crayfish Cherax destructor. The laminarinase isolated from G. natalis was estimated to have a molecular mass of 41 kDa by SDS-PAGE and 71 kDa by gel filtration chromatography. A similar discrepancy was noted for C. destructor. Possible reasons for this are discussed. Laminarinase (EC 3.2.1.6) from G. natalis had a Vmax of 42.0 μmol reducing sugars produced min–1 mg protein–1, a Kmof 0.126% (w/v) and an optimum pH range of 5.5–7, and hydrolysed mainlyβ-1,3-glycosidic bonds. In addition to the hydrolysis ofβ-1,3-glycosidic bonds, laminarinase (EC 3.2.1.39) from C. destructor was capable of significant hydrolysis of β-1,4-glycosidic bonds. It had a Vmax of 19.6 μmol reducing sugars produced min–1 mg protein–1, a Km of 0.059% (w/v) and an optimum pH of 5.5. Laminarinase from both species produced glucose and other short oligomers from the hydrolysis of laminarin. Endo-β-1,4-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.4) from G. natalis had a molecular mass of 52 kDa and an optimum pH of 4–7. It mainly hydrolysed β-1,4-glycosidic bonds, but was also capable of significant hydrolysis of β-1,3-glycosidic bonds. Two endo-β-1,4-glucanases, termed 1 and 2, with respective molecular masses of 53±3 and 52 kDa, were purified from C. destructor. Endo-β-1,4-glucanase 1 was only capable of hydrolysingβ-1,4-glycosidic bonds and had an optimum pH of 5.5. Endo-β-1,4-glucanases from both species produced some glucose, cellobiose and other short oligomers from the hydrolysis of carboxymethyl cellulose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J. Allardyce
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Pigdons Road, Geelong, Victoria, 3217, Australia
| | - Stuart M. Linton
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Pigdons Road, Geelong, Victoria, 3217, Australia
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