1
|
Krings W, Gorb SN. Particle binding capacity of snail saliva. J Chem Phys 2023; 159:185101. [PMID: 37955324 DOI: 10.1063/5.0176668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastropods forage with their radula, a thin chitinous membrane with embedded teeth, which scratch across the substrate to lose food particles. During this interaction, the risk of loosening particles is obvious without having a specialized mechanism holding them on the tooth surface. As mucus secretions are essential in molluscan life cycles and the locomotion and attachment gels are known to have an instant high adhesion, we have hypothesized that the saliva could support particle retention during feeding. As adhesion of snail saliva was not studied before, we present here an experimental setup to test its particle-binding capacity using a large land snail (Lissachatina fulica, Stylommatophora, Heterobranchia). This experiment was also applied to the gels produced by the snail foot for comparison and can be potentially applied to various fluids present at a small volume in the future. We found, that the saliva has high particle retention capacity that is comparable to the foot glue of the snail. To gain some insight into the properties of the saliva, we additionally studied it in the scanning electron microscope, estimated its viscosity in a de-wetting experiment, and investigated its elemental composition using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy reveling higher contents of Ca, Zn and other potential cross-linkers similar to those found in the glue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wencke Krings
- Department of Cariology, Endodontology and Periodontology, Universität Leipzig, Liebigstraße 12, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Electron Microscopy, Institute of Cell and Systems Biology of Animals, Universität Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Mammalogy and Palaeoanthropology, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Stanislav N Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zheng J, Li F, Fan M, Gu Z, Liu C, Wang A, Yang Y. Mitogenomic Phylogeny of Tonnoidea Suter, 1913 (1825) (Gastropoda: Caenogastropoda). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3342. [PMID: 37958096 PMCID: PMC10649890 DOI: 10.3390/ani13213342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The Tonnoidea Suter, 1913 (1825) is a moderately diverse group of large predatory gastropods, the systematics of which remain unclear. In the present study, the complete mitochondrial genomes of nine Tonnoidean species were sequenced. All newly sequenced mitogenomes contain 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes and two ribosomal RNA genes, showing similar patterns in genome size, gene order and nucleotide composition. The ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous of PCGs indicated that NADH complex genes of Tonnoideans were experiencing a more relaxed purifying selection compared with the COX genes. The reconstructed phylogeny based on the combined amino acid sequences of 13 protein-coding genes and the nucleotide sequences of two rRNA genes supported that Ficidae Meek, 1864 (1840) is a sister to Tonnoidea. The monophylies of all Tonnoidean families were recovered and the internal phylogenetic relationships were consistent with the current classification. The phylogeny also revealed that Tutufa rebuta (Linnaeus, 1758) is composed of at least two different species, indicating that the species diversity within Bursidae Thiele, 1925 might be underestimated. The present study contributes to the understanding of the Tonnoidean systematics, and it could provide important information for the revision of Tonnoidean systematics in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiawen Zheng
- School of Marine Biology and Fisheries, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; (J.Z.); (F.L.); (M.F.); (Z.G.); (C.L.); (A.W.)
| | - Fengping Li
- School of Marine Biology and Fisheries, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; (J.Z.); (F.L.); (M.F.); (Z.G.); (C.L.); (A.W.)
| | - Mingfu Fan
- School of Marine Biology and Fisheries, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; (J.Z.); (F.L.); (M.F.); (Z.G.); (C.L.); (A.W.)
| | - Zhifeng Gu
- School of Marine Biology and Fisheries, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; (J.Z.); (F.L.); (M.F.); (Z.G.); (C.L.); (A.W.)
| | - Chunsheng Liu
- School of Marine Biology and Fisheries, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; (J.Z.); (F.L.); (M.F.); (Z.G.); (C.L.); (A.W.)
| | - Aimin Wang
- School of Marine Biology and Fisheries, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; (J.Z.); (F.L.); (M.F.); (Z.G.); (C.L.); (A.W.)
| | - Yi Yang
- School of Marine Biology and Fisheries, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; (J.Z.); (F.L.); (M.F.); (Z.G.); (C.L.); (A.W.)
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute, Hainan University, Sanya 572025, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Krings W, Brütt JO, Gorb SN. Elemental analyses reveal distinct mineralization patterns in radular teeth of various molluscan taxa. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7499. [PMID: 35525838 PMCID: PMC9079087 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11026-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The molluscan phylum is the second specious animal group with its taxa feeding on a variety of food sources. This is enabled by the radula, a chitinous membrane with embedded teeth, one important autapomorphy. Between species, radulae can vary in their morphology, mechanical, and chemical properties. With regard to chemical composition, some taxa (Polyplacophora and Patellogastropoda) were studied extensively in the past decades, due to their specificity to incorporate high proportions of iron, calcium, and silicon. There is, however, a huge lack of knowledge about radular composition in other taxa. The work presented aims at shedding light on the chemistry by performing energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses on 24 molluscan species, thereof two Polyplacophora, two Cephalopoda, and 20 Gastropoda, which was never done before in such a comprehensiveness. The elements and their proportions were documented for 1448 individual, mature teeth and hypotheses about potential biomineralization types were proposed. The presented work additionally comprises a detailed record on past studies about the chemical composition of molluscan teeth, which is an important basis for further investigation of the radular chemistry. The found disparity in elements detected, in their distribution and proportions highlights the diversity of evolutionary solutions, as it depicts multiple biomineralization types present within Mollusca.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wencke Krings
- Department of Behavioral Biology, Institute of Cell and Systems Biology of Animals, Universität Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146, Hamburg, Germany.
- Department of Mammalogy and Palaeoanthropology, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146, Hamburg, Germany.
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts-Universität Zu Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24118, Kiel, Germany.
| | - Jan-Ole Brütt
- Department of Behavioral Biology, Institute of Cell and Systems Biology of Animals, Universität Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Mammalogy and Palaeoanthropology, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stanislav N Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts-Universität Zu Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sanders MT, Merle D, Laurin M, Bonillo C, Puillandre N. Raising names from the dead: A time-calibrated phylogeny of frog shells (Bursidae, Tonnoidea, Gastropoda) using mitogenomic data. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2020; 156:107040. [PMID: 33310060 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2020.107040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
With 59 Recent species, Bursidae, known as «frog shells», are a small but widely distributed group of tropical and subtropical gastropods that are most diverse in the Indo-West Pacific. The present study is aimed at reconstructing phylogenetic relationships of bursid gastropods based on extensive and representative taxon sampling. Five genetic markers (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1), 16 s and 12 s rRNA mitochondrial genes, 28 s rRNA and Histone H3 nuclear gene) were sequenced for over 30 species in every known genus but Crossata. Furthermore, we sequenced the complete mt-genome of 9 species (10 specimens) (Aspa marginata, Marsupina bufo, Korrigania quirihorai, Korrigania fijiensis, Tutufa rubeta, Bursa lamarckii, Lampasopsis rhodostoma (twice), Bufonaria perelegans and Bursa aff. tuberosissima). Our analysis recovered Bursidae as a monophyletic group, whereas the genus Bursa was found to be polyphyletic. The genera Talisman and Dulcerana are resurrected and the genera Alanbeuella gen. nov. and Korrigania gen. nov. are described. Dating analysis using 21 extinct taxa for node and simplified tip calibrations was performed, showing a diversification of the group in two phases. Diversification may be linked to tectonic events leading to biodiversity relocation from the western Tethys toward the Indo-Pacific.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Malcolm T Sanders
- Centre de Recherche en Paléontologie - Paris CR2P - UMR 7207 - CNRS, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Sorbonne Université, 8 rue Buffon, CP 38, 75005 Paris, France; Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité ISYEB - Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, 57 rue Cuvier, CP26, F-75005 Paris, France.
| | - Didier Merle
- Centre de Recherche en Paléontologie - Paris CR2P - UMR 7207 - CNRS, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Sorbonne Université, 8 rue Buffon, CP 38, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Michel Laurin
- Centre de Recherche en Paléontologie - Paris CR2P - UMR 7207 - CNRS, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Sorbonne Université, 8 rue Buffon, CP 38, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Céline Bonillo
- Service de systématique moléculaire SSM - UMS 2700 - MNHN, CNRS, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Sorbonne Université. 57 rue Cuvier, CP26, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Puillandre
- Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité ISYEB - Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, 57 rue Cuvier, CP26, F-75005 Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Functional morphology and post-larval development of the buccal complex in Eubranchus rupium (Nudibranchia: Aeolidida: Fionidae). ZOOLOGY 2020; 143:125850. [PMID: 33130490 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2020.125850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Nudibranch molluscs represent an interesting model group to study the evolution of feeding apparatus and feeding modes, being characterized by specialized buccal complex in combination with extremely diverse dietary preferences and multiply prey shifts in evolutionary history. However, the plasticity of the buccal complex morphology in response to diet and specific feeding modes remains understudied. Here we study the general morphology and ontogenesis of the buccal complex in Eubranchus rupium (Nudibranchia: Fionidae). Specific goals are to provide a detailed description of buccal structures morphology in post-larval stages, suggest the feeding mechanism and discuss the phylogenetic value of the morphological characteristics of buccal armature within the genus Eubranchus. Methods included in vivo observations of the feeding process for E. rupium, light microscopic methods, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (cLSM). According to our results, E. rupium is a mechanical driller, boring holes in hydrozoan perisarc and sucking internal content. The mechanical drilling is supplied by functionally uniserial radula with plate-like laterals teeth of exclusively supportive function and by massive buccal musculature. Comparative phylogeny-based analysis suggests that the drilling feeding mode is common for the genus Eubranchus and indicates radular characters may have a high phylogenetic signal. The buccal complex morphology and feeding mode were found to be similar in both adults and post-metamorphic specimens, its general structures occur even in settled veligers. Juveniles and adults compete for food source, but the competition is smoothed due to characteristics of prey species growth and life cycle.
Collapse
|
6
|
Mikhlina AL, Tzetlin AB, Ekimova IA, Vortsepneva EV. Drilling in the dorid species Vayssierea cf. elegans (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia): Functional and comparative morphological aspects. J Morphol 2020; 280:119-132. [PMID: 30556945 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The drilling mode of feeding is known from two clades of Gastropoda: Caenogastropoda and Heterobranchia. However, the level of convergence and parallelism or homology among these two lineages is unclear. The morphology of the buccal complex is well studied for drilling caenogastropods, but poorly known for drilling nudibranchs. It is also unclear whether the drilling feeding mechanism is similar between inside gastropods. Accordingly, a comparison between the feeding mechanisms of drilling nudibranchs and caenogastropods can help to understand the evolutional trends inside gastropods. In this study, we redescribe the morphology of the buccal complex of drilling dorid nudibranch Vayssierea cf. elegans, and compare it to that of previous investigations on this species and closely related dorid species. We describe the feeding mechanism of this species based on the obtained morphological and literature data and compare it to the feeding mechanisms described for drilling caenogastropods. The feeding apparatus of Vayssierea cf. elegans corresponds to the general morphology of the dorid buccal complex; that is, it has a similar arrangement of the buccal musculature and pattern of radular morphology. However, there are also adaptations to the drilling feeding mode similar to those found in Caenogastropoda: that is, specialized dissolving glands and lateral teeth with elongated pointed cusps; and even Sacoglossa: the specialized muscle for sucking. The feeding process of Vayssierea cf. elegans includes the same two stages as those described for drilling caenogastropods: (a) the boring stage, which is provided by mechanical and chemical activity, and (b) the swallowing stage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna L Mikhlina
- Invertebrate Zoology Department, Biological Faculty, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.,N.A. Pertsov White Sea Biological Station, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander B Tzetlin
- Invertebrate Zoology Department, Biological Faculty, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.,N.A. Pertsov White Sea Biological Station, Moscow, Russia
| | - Irina A Ekimova
- Invertebrate Zoology Department, Biological Faculty, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.,Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Elena V Vortsepneva
- Invertebrate Zoology Department, Biological Faculty, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Strong EE, Puillandre N, Beu AG, Castelin M, Bouchet P. Frogs and tuns and tritons – A molecular phylogeny and revised family classification of the predatory gastropod superfamily Tonnoidea (Caenogastropoda). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2019; 130:18-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 07/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|
8
|
Kim BM, Ahn DH, Kim H, Lee JS, Rhee JS, Park H. Transcriptome profiling suggests roles of innate immunity and digestion metabolism in purplish Washington clam. Genes Genomics 2018; 41:183-191. [PMID: 30306501 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-018-0750-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The purplish Washington clam (Saxidomus purpuratus) in the family Veneridae is distributed widely along the intertidal zones of northeast Asia and is increasingly being utilized as a commercially important food resource. Bivalves maintain homeostasis by regulating their food intake and digestion, innate immunity, and biotransformation in a mollusk-specific organ, the digestive gland. To understand digestive gland-specific pathways, we generated a high-quality de novo assembly of the digestive gland transcriptome of this clam using the Illumina Miseq platform. A total of 9.9 million raw reads were obtained and assembled using the Oases assembly platform, resulting in 27,358 contigs with an N50 of 433 bp. Functional gene annotations were performed using Gene Ontology, Eukaryotic Orthologous Groups, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses. In the transcriptome, many crucial genes involved in innate immunity and digestion metabolism were detected. A number of enzymes associated with drug metabolism were annotated, as much as that identified from the whole transcriptome of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. We provide valuable sequence information of S. purpuratus to predict functional understandings of the bivalve-specific digestive gland. This resource will be valuable for researchers comparing gene compositions and their expression levels in the digestive glands of bivalves.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Mi Kim
- Unit of Polar Genomics, Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon, 21990, South Korea
| | - Do-Hwan Ahn
- Unit of Polar Genomics, Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon, 21990, South Korea
| | - Hyejin Kim
- Department of Aqualife Medicine, Chonnam National University, Yeosu, 59626, South Korea
| | - Jung Sick Lee
- Department of Aqualife Medicine, Chonnam National University, Yeosu, 59626, South Korea.
| | - Jae-Sung Rhee
- Department of Marine Science, College of Natural Sciences, Incheon National University, Incheon, 22012, South Korea. .,Research Institute of Basic Sciences, Incheon National University, Incheon, 22012, South Korea.
| | - Hyun Park
- Unit of Polar Genomics, Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon, 21990, South Korea. .,Polar Sciences, University of Science & Technology, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34113, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Bioactive Compounds Isolated from Neglected Predatory Marine Gastropods. Mar Drugs 2018; 16:md16040118. [PMID: 29621159 PMCID: PMC5923405 DOI: 10.3390/md16040118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A diverse range of predatory marine gastropods produce toxins, yet most of these molecules remain uncharacterized. Conus species have received the most attention from researchers, leading to several conopeptides reaching clinical trials. This review aims to summarize what is known about bioactive compounds isolated from species of neglected marine gastropods, especially in the Turridae, Terebridae, Babyloniidae, Muricidae, Buccinidae, Colubrariidae, Nassariidae, Cassidae, and Ranellidae families. Multiple species have been reported to contain bioactive compounds with potential toxic activity, but most of these compounds have not been characterized or even clearly identified. The bioactive properties and potential applications of echotoxins and related porins from the Ranellidae family are discussed in more detail. Finally, the review concludes with a call for research on understudied species.
Collapse
|
10
|
Ponte G, Modica MV. Salivary Glands in Predatory Mollusks: Evolutionary Considerations. Front Physiol 2017; 8:580. [PMID: 28848453 PMCID: PMC5554399 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Many marine mollusks attain or increase their predatory efficiency using complex chemical secretions, which are often produced and delivered through specialized anatomical structures of the foregut. The secretions produced in venom glands of Conus snails and allies have been extensively studied, revealing an amazing chemical diversity of small, highly constrained neuropeptides, whose characterization led to significant pharmacological developments. Conversely, salivary glands, the other main secretory structures of molluscan foregut, have been neglected despite their shared occurrence in the two lineages including predatory members: Gastropoda and Cephalopoda. Over the last few years, the interest for the chemistry of salivary mixtures increased based on their potential biomedical applications. Recent investigation with -omics technologies are complementing the classical biochemical descriptions, that date back to the 1950s, highlighting the high level of diversification of salivary secretions in predatory mollusks, and suggesting they can be regarded as a pharmaceutical cornucopia. As with other animal venoms, some of the salivary toxins are reported to target, for example, sodium and/or potassium ion channels or receptors and transporters for neurotransmitters such as, glutamate, serotonin, neurotensin, and noradrenaline, thus manipulating the neuromuscular system of the preys. Other bioactive components possess anticoagulant, anesthetic and hypotensive activities. Here, we overview available knowledge on the salivary glands of key predatory molluscan taxa, gastropods, and cephalopods, summarizing their anatomical, physiological and biochemical complexity in order to facilitate future comparative studies on main evolutionary trends and functional convergence in the acquisition of successful predatory strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Ponte
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton DohrnNapoli, Italy
- Association for Cephalopod Research - CephResNapoli, Italy
| | - Maria Vittoria Modica
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton DohrnNapoli, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Bose U, Wang T, Zhao M, Motti CA, Hall MR, Cummins SF. Multiomics analysis of the giant triton snail salivary gland, a crown-of-thorns starfish predator. Sci Rep 2017; 7:6000. [PMID: 28729681 PMCID: PMC5519703 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05974-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The giant triton snail (Charonia tritonis) is one of the few natural predators of the adult Crown-of-Thorns starfish (COTS), a corallivore that has been damaging to many reefs in the Indo-Pacific. Charonia species have large salivary glands (SGs) that are suspected to produce either a venom and/or sulphuric acid which can immobilize their prey and neutralize the intrinsic toxic properties of COTS. To date, there is little information on the types of toxins produced by tritons. In this paper, the predatory behaviour of the C. tritonis is described. Then, the C. tritonis SG, which itself is made up of an anterior lobe (AL) and posterior lobe (PL), was analyzed using an integrated transcriptomics and proteomics approach, to identify putative toxin- and feeding-related proteins. A de novo transcriptome database and in silico protein analysis predicts that ~3800 proteins have features consistent with being secreted. A gland-specific proteomics analysis confirmed the presence of numerous SG-AL and SG-PL proteins, including those with similarity to cysteine-rich venom proteins. Sulfuric acid biosynthesis enzymes were identified, specific to the SG-PL. Our analysis of the C. tritonis SG (AL and PL) has provided a deeper insight into the biomolecular toolkit used for predation and feeding by C. tritonis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- U Bose
- Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, Genecology Research Center, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, 4558, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, 4810, Australia
| | - T Wang
- Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, Genecology Research Center, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, 4558, Australia
| | - M Zhao
- Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, Genecology Research Center, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, 4558, Australia
| | - C A Motti
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, 4810, Australia
| | - M R Hall
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, 4810, Australia
| | - S F Cummins
- Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, Genecology Research Center, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, 4558, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|