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Li L, Topper TP, Betts MJ, Altanshagai G, Enkhbaatar B, Li G, Li S, Skovsted CB, Cui L, Zhang X. Tubule system of earliest shells as a defense against increasing microbial attacks. iScience 2024; 27:109112. [PMID: 38380247 PMCID: PMC10877964 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The evolutionary mechanism behind the early Cambrian animal skeletonization was a complex and multifaceted process involving environmental, ecological, and biological factors. Predation pressure, oxygenation, and seawater chemistry change have frequently been proposed as the main drivers of this biological innovation, yet the selection pressures from microorganisms have been largely overlooked. Here we present evidence that calcareous shells of the earliest mollusks from the basal Cambrian (Fortunian Age, ca. 539-529 million years ago) of Mongolia developed advanced tubule systems that evolved primarily as a defensive strategy against extensive microbial attacks within a microbe-dominated marine ecosystem. These high-density tubules, comprising approximately 35% of shell volume, enable nascent mineralized mollusks to cope with increasing microbial bioerosion caused by boring endolithic cyanobacteria, and hence represent an innovation in shell calcification. Our finding demonstrates that enhanced microboring pressures played a significant role in shaping the calcification of the earliest mineralized mollusks during the Cambrian Explosion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luoyang Li
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Key Lab of Submarine Geosciences and Prospecting Techniques, Ministry of Education and College of Marine Geosciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
- Laboratory for Marine Mineral Resources, National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Timothy P. Topper
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Early Life and Environments, State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics and Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
- Department of Palaeobiology, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, 104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marissa J. Betts
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Early Life and Environments, State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics and Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
- Palaeoscience Research Centre, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
| | - Gundsambuu Altanshagai
- Institute of Paleontology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 15160, Mongolia
- School of Arts and Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar 14200, Mongolia
| | - Batktuyag Enkhbaatar
- Institute of Paleontology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 15160, Mongolia
| | - Guoxiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Sanzhong Li
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Key Lab of Submarine Geosciences and Prospecting Techniques, Ministry of Education and College of Marine Geosciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
- Laboratory for Marine Mineral Resources, National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Christian B. Skovsted
- Department of Palaeobiology, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, 104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Linhao Cui
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Early Life and Environments, State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics and Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Xingliang Zhang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Early Life and Environments, State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics and Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
- State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
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McCoy SJ, Kamenos NA, Chung P, Wootton TJ, Pfister CA. A mineralogical record of ocean change: Decadal and centennial patterns in the California mussel. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2018; 24:2554-2562. [PMID: 29314468 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Ocean acidification, a product of increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide, may already have affected calcified organisms in the coastal zone, such as bivalves and other shellfish. Understanding species' responses to climate change requires the context of long-term dynamics. This can be particularly difficult given the longevity of many important species in contrast with the relatively rapid onset of environmental changes. Here, we present a unique archival dataset of mussel shells from a locale with recent environmental monitoring and historical climate reconstructions. We compare shell structure and composition in modern mussels, mussels from the 1970s, and mussel shells dating back to 1000-2420 years BP. Shell mineralogy has changed dramatically over the past 15 years, despite evidence for consistent mineral structure in the California mussel, Mytilus californianus, over the prior 2500 years. We present evidence for increased disorder in the calcium carbonate shells of mussels and greater variability between individuals. These changes in the last decade contrast markedly from a background of consistent shell mineralogy for centuries. Our results use an archival record of natural specimens to provide centennial-scale context for altered minerology and variability in shell features as a response to acidification stress and illustrate the utility of long-term studies and archival records in global change ecology. Increased variability between individuals is an emerging pattern in climate change responses, which may equally expose the vulnerability of organisms and the potential of populations for resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie J McCoy
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Nicholas A Kamenos
- School of Geographical and Earth Science, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Peter Chung
- School of Geographical and Earth Science, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Timothy J Wootton
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Catherine A Pfister
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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Cross EL, Harper EM, Peck LS. A 120-year record of resilience to environmental change in brachiopods. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2018; 24:2262-2271. [PMID: 29536586 PMCID: PMC6850138 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 12/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The inability of organisms to cope in changing environments poses a major threat to their survival. Rising carbon dioxide concentrations, recently exceeding 400 μatm, are rapidly warming and acidifying our oceans. Current understanding of organism responses to this environmental phenomenon is based mainly on relatively short- to medium-term laboratory and field experiments, which cannot evaluate the potential for long-term acclimation and adaptation, the processes identified as most important to confer resistance. Here, we present data from a novel approach that assesses responses over a centennial timescale showing remarkable resilience to change in a species predicted to be vulnerable. Utilising museum collections allows the assessment of how organisms have coped with past environmental change. It also provides a historical reference for future climate change responses. We evaluated a unique specimen collection of a single species of brachiopod (Calloria inconspicua) collected every decade from 1900 to 2014 from one sampling site. The majority of brachiopod shell characteristics remained unchanged over the past century. One response, however, appears to reinforce their shell by constructing narrower punctae (shell perforations) and laying down more shell. This study indicates one of the most calcium-carbonate-dependent species globally to be highly resilient to environmental change over the last 120 years and provides a new insight for how similar species might react and possibly adapt to future change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L. Cross
- Department of Earth SciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- British Antarctic SurveyNatural Environment Research CouncilCambridgeUK
| | | | - Lloyd S. Peck
- British Antarctic SurveyNatural Environment Research CouncilCambridgeUK
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Ye F, Crippa G, Angiolini L, Brand U, Capitani G, Cusack M, Garbelli C, Griesshaber E, Harper E, Schmahl W. Mapping of recent brachiopod microstructure: A tool for environmental studies. J Struct Biol 2017; 201:221-236. [PMID: 29175289 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2017.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Shells of brachiopods are excellent archives for environmental reconstructions in the recent and distant past as their microstructure and geochemistry respond to climate and environmental forcings. We studied the morphology and size of the basic structural unit, the secondary layer fibre, of the shells of several extant brachiopod taxa to derive a model correlating microstructural patterns to environmental conditions. Twenty-one adult specimens of six recent brachiopod species adapted to different environmental conditions, from Antarctica, to New Zealand, to the Mediterranean Sea, were chosen for microstructural analysis using SEM, TEM and EBSD. We conclude that: 1) there is no significant difference in the shape and size of the fibres between ventral and dorsal valves, 2) there is an ontogenetic trend in the shape and size of the fibres, as they become larger, wider, and flatter with increasing age. This indicates that the fibrous layer produced in the later stages of growth, which is recommended by the literature to be the best material for geochemical analyses, has a different morphostructure and probably a lower organic content than that produced earlier in life. In two species of the same genus living in seawater with different temperature and carbonate saturation state, a relationship emerged between the microstructure and environmental conditions. Fibres of the polar Liothyrella uva tend to be smaller, rounder and less convex than those of the temperate Liothyrella neozelanica, suggesting a relationship between microstructural size, shell organic matter content, ambient seawater temperature and calcite saturation state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Facheng Ye
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra "A. Desio", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Gaia Crippa
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra "A. Desio", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Lucia Angiolini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra "A. Desio", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Uwe Brand
- Department of Earth Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario L253AI, Canada
| | - GianCarlo Capitani
- Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Ambiente e di Scienze della Terra, Piazza della Scienza 4, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Maggie Cusack
- Division of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Claudio Garbelli
- State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Erika Griesshaber
- Department fur Geo- und Umweltwissenschaften, Ludwig-Maximilians Universitat Munchen, Munich, Germany
| | - Elizabeth Harper
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EQ, UK
| | - Wolfgang Schmahl
- Department fur Geo- und Umweltwissenschaften, Ludwig-Maximilians Universitat Munchen, Munich, Germany
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Coronado I, Pérez-Huerta A, Rodríguez S. Analogous biomineralization processes between the fossil coral Calceola sandalina (Rugosa, Devonian) and other Recent and fossil cnidarians. J Struct Biol 2016; 196:173-186. [PMID: 27327265 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2016.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Revised: 06/12/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The current work represents a distinctive study about the biomineral properties of exceptionally good preserved skeletons of Calceola sandalina from the Middle Devonian of Couvin (Belgium), Smara (Morocco) and (Algeria) and their relation in the evolution of biomineralization of cnidarians. Structural and crystallographic analyses of the skeletons have been done by petrographic microscopy, electron scanning microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), computer-integrated polarization microscopy (CIP) and electron microprobe analysis (EMPA). Calceola skeletons have many similarities with other cnidarians, mainly with other Palaeozoic corals as Syringoporicae: The microcrystals are composed of co-oriented nanocrystals that remind to mesocrystals, suggesting a biocrystallization process by particle attachment (CPA). The relationship between the nanocrystals and microcrystals suggest a growth mode similar to mineral bridges. A similar model was described for Syringoporicae corals (Tabulata) and it is similar to the coordinated-growth mode described in scleractinians and molluscs. Calceola skeletons show also a convergent structure with scleractinian forming Rapid Accretion Deposits (RAD), which share some structural and chemical properties. These evidences suggest analogous processes of biomineralization derived from a stem group of cnidarians. The results of this paper highlight the value of biomineralization studies in fossil organisms to understand the evolution of biomineralization mechanism through Phanerozoic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismael Coronado
- Departamento de Paleontología, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, C/ José Antonio Nováis 2, Ciudad Universitaria, E-28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Alberto Pérez-Huerta
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA.
| | - Sergio Rodríguez
- Departamento de Paleontología, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, C/ José Antonio Nováis 2, Ciudad Universitaria, E-28040 Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Geociencias (IGEO. CSIC-UCM), C/ José Antonio Nováis 2, Ciudad Universitaria, E-28040 Madrid, Spain.
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Jackson DJ, Mann K, Häussermann V, Schilhabel MB, Lüter C, Griesshaber E, Schmahl W, Wörheide G. The Magellania venosa Biomineralizing Proteome: A Window into Brachiopod Shell Evolution. Genome Biol Evol 2015; 7:1349-62. [PMID: 25912046 PMCID: PMC4453069 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evv074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Brachiopods are a lineage of invertebrates well known for the breadth and depth of their fossil record. Although the quality of this fossil record attracts the attention of paleontologists, geochemists, and paleoclimatologists, modern day brachiopods are also of interest to evolutionary biologists due to their potential to address a variety of questions ranging from developmental biology to biomineralization. The brachiopod shell is a composite material primarily composed of either calcite or calcium phosphate in close association with proteins and polysaccharides which give these composite structures their material properties. The information content of these biomolecules, sequestered within the shell during its construction, has the potential to inform hypotheses focused on describing how brachiopod shell formation evolved. Here, using high throughput proteomic approaches and next generation sequencing, we have surveyed and characterized the first shell-proteome and shell-forming transcriptome of any brachiopod, the South American Magellania venosa (Rhynchonelliformea: Terebratulida). We find that the seven most abundant proteins present in the shell are unique to M. venosa, but that these proteins display biochemical features found in other metazoan biomineralization proteins. We can also detect some M. venosa proteins that display significant sequence similarity to other metazoan biomineralization proteins, suggesting that some elements of the brachiopod shell-forming proteome are deeply evolutionarily conserved. We also employed a variety of preparation methods to isolate shell proteins and find that in comparison to the shells of other spiralian invertebrates (such as mollusks) the shell ultrastructure of M. venosa may explain the effects these preparation strategies have on our results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Jackson
- Department of Geobiology, Georg-August University of Göttingen, Germany
| | - Karlheinz Mann
- Department of Proteomics and Signal Transduction, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Munich, Germany
| | - Vreni Häussermann
- Escuela de Ciencias del Mar, Valparaíso, Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Markus B Schilhabel
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel, Germany
| | - Carsten Lüter
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz-Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Berlin, Germany
| | - Erika Griesshaber
- Department of Earth- and Environmental Sciences & GeoBioCenter, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Schmahl
- Department of Earth- and Environmental Sciences & GeoBioCenter, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany
| | - Gert Wörheide
- Department of Earth- and Environmental Sciences & GeoBioCenter, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany Bavarian State Collections of Palaeontology & Geology, München, Germany
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Overcoming the fragility - X-ray computed micro-tomography elucidates brachiopod endoskeletons. Front Zool 2015; 11:65. [PMID: 25642279 PMCID: PMC4312452 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-014-0065-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2014] [Accepted: 08/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The calcareous shells of brachiopods offer a wealth of informative characters for taxonomic and phylogenetic investigations. In particular scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has been used for decades to visualise internal structures of the shell. However, to produce informative SEM data, brachiopod shells need to be opened after chemical removal of the soft tissue. This preparation occasionally damages the shell. Additionally, skeletal elements of taxonomic/systematic interest such as calcareous spicules which are loosely embedded in the lophophore and mantle connective tissue become disintegrated during the preparation process. RESULTS Using a nondestructive micro-computed tomography (μCT) approach, the entire fragile endoskeleton of brachiopods is documented for the first time. New insights on the structure and position of tissue-bound skeletal elements (spicules) are given as add ons to existing descriptions of brachiopod shell anatomy, thereby enhancing the quality and quantity of informative characters needed for both taxonomic and phylogenetic studies. Here, we present five modern, articulated brachiopods (Rectocalathis schemmgregoryi n. gen., n. sp., Eucalathis sp., Gryphus vitreus, Liothyrella neozelanica and Terebratulina retusa) that were X-rayed using a Phoenix Nanotom XS 180 NF. We provide links to download 3D models of these species, and additional five species with spicules can be accessed in the Supplemental Material. In total, 17 brachiopod genera covering all modern articulated subgroups and 2 inarticulated genera were X-rayed for morphological analysis. Rectocalathis schemmgregoryi n. gen., n. sp. is fully described. CONCLUSION Micro-CT is an excellent non-destructive tool for investigating calcified structures in the exo- and endoskeletons of brachiopods. With high quality images and interactive 3D models, this study provides a comprehensive description of the profound differences in shell anatomy, facilitates the detection of new delicate morphological characters of the endoskeleton and gives new insights into the body plan of modern brachiopods.
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Murdock DJE, Bengtson S, Marone F, Greenwood JM, Donoghue PCJ. Evaluating scenarios for the evolutionary assembly of the brachiopod body plan. Evol Dev 2014; 16:13-24. [DOI: 10.1111/ede.12059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Duncan J. E. Murdock
- School of Earth Sciences; University of Bristol; Wills Memorial Building, Queen's Road Bristol BS8 1RJ UK
| | - Stefan Bengtson
- Department of Palaeobiology and Nordic Center for Earth Evolution; Swedish Museum of Natural History; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Federica Marone
- Swiss Light Source; Paul Scherrer Institute; 5232 Villigen Switzerland
| | - Jenny M. Greenwood
- Westfälische Wilhelms University; Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity; Evolutionary Bioinformatics Group, Hüfferstrasse 1 D-48149 Münster Germany
| | - Philip C. J. Donoghue
- School of Earth Sciences; University of Bristol; Wills Memorial Building, Queen's Road Bristol BS8 1RJ UK
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Pérez-Huerta A, Dauphin Y, Cusack M. Biogenic calcite granules—Are brachiopods different? Micron 2013; 44:395-403. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2012.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2012] [Revised: 08/28/2012] [Accepted: 09/04/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Afanas’eva GA. Morphogenetic study of brachiopods. BIOL BULL+ 2012. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062359012020021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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