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Zobel M, Koorem K, Moora M, Semchenko M, Davison J. Symbiont plasticity as a driver of plant success. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 241:2340-2352. [PMID: 38308116 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
We discuss which plant species are likely to become winners, that is achieve the highest global abundance, in changing landscapes, and whether plant-associated microbes play a determining role. Reduction and fragmentation of natural habitats in historic landscapes have led to the emergence of patchy, hybrid landscapes, and novel landscapes where anthropogenic ecosystems prevail. In patchy landscapes, species with broad niches are favoured. Plasticity in the degree of association with symbiotic microbes may contribute to broader plant niches and optimization of symbiosis costs and benefits, by downregulating symbiosis when it is unnecessary and upregulating it when it is beneficial. Plasticity can also be expressed as the switch from one type of mutualism to another, for example from nutritive to defensive mutualism with increasing soil fertility and the associated increase in parasite load. Upon dispersal, wide mutualistic partner receptivity is another facet of symbiont plasticity that becomes beneficial, because plants are not limited by the availability of specialist partners when arriving at new locations. Thus, under conditions of global change, symbiont plasticity allows plants to optimize the activity of mutualistic relationships, potentially allowing them to become winners by maximizing geographic occupancy and local abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Zobel
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, J. Liivi 2, Tartu, 50409, Estonia
| | - Kadri Koorem
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, J. Liivi 2, Tartu, 50409, Estonia
| | - Mari Moora
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, J. Liivi 2, Tartu, 50409, Estonia
| | - Marina Semchenko
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, J. Liivi 2, Tartu, 50409, Estonia
| | - John Davison
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, J. Liivi 2, Tartu, 50409, Estonia
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Senula SF, Scavetta JT, Mueller UG, Seal JN, Kellner K. Cold adaptations along a range limit in an obligate symbiosis. Funct Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.14120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. F. Senula
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at Tyler 3900 University Blvd. Tyler Texas
| | - J. T. Scavetta
- Department of Computer Science Rowan University Glassboro NJ USA
| | - U. G. Mueller
- Department of Integrative Biology University of Texas at Austin Austin TX USA
| | - J. N. Seal
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at Tyler 3900 University Blvd. Tyler Texas
| | - K. Kellner
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at Tyler 3900 University Blvd. Tyler Texas
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Drew GC, King KC. More or Less? The Effect of Symbiont Density in Protective Mutualisms. Am Nat 2021; 199:443-454. [DOI: 10.1086/718593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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The Microbiome of the Maculinea-Myrmica Host-Parasite Interaction. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8048. [PMID: 31142780 PMCID: PMC6541603 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44514-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Maculinea (=Phengaris) are endangered butterflies that are characterized by a very complex biological cycle. Maculinea larvae behave as obligate parasites whose survival is strictly dependent on both particular food plants and species-specific Myrmica ants. In this interaction, Maculinea caterpillars induce Myrmica workers to retrieve and rear them in the nest by chemical and acoustic deception. Social insect symbiotic microorganisms play a key role in intraspecific and interspecific communication; therefore, it is possible that the Maculinea caterpillar microbiome might be involved in the chemical cross-talk by producing deceptive semiochemicals for host ants. To address this point, the microbiota of Maculinea alcon at different larval stages (phytophagous early larvae, intermediate larvae, carnivorous late larvae) was analyzed by using 16S rRNA-guided metabarcoding approach and compared to that of the host ant Myrmica scabrinodis. Structural and deduced functional profiles of the microbial communities were recorded, which were used to identify specific groups of microorganisms that may be involved in the chemical cross-talk. One of the most notable features was the presence in all larval stages and in the ants of two bacteria, Serratia marcescens and S. entomophila, which are involved in the chemical cross-talk between the microbes and their hosts.
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Thermal plasticity of a freshwater cnidarian holobiont: detection of trans-generational effects in asexually reproducing hosts and symbionts. ISME JOURNAL 2019; 13:2058-2067. [PMID: 31015561 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-019-0413-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 02/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Understanding factors affecting the susceptibility of organisms to thermal stress is of enormous interest in light of our rapidly changing climate. When adaptation is limited, thermal acclimation and deacclimation abilities of organisms are critical for population persistence through a period of thermal stress. Holobionts (hosts plus associated symbionts) are key components of various ecosystems, such as coral reefs, yet the contributions of their two partners to holobiont thermal plasticity are poorly understood. Here, we tested thermal plasticity of the freshwater cnidarian Hydra viridissima (green hydra) using individual behavior and population responses. We found that algal presence initially reduced hydra thermal tolerance. Hydra with algae (symbiotic hydra) had comparable acclimation rates, deacclimation rates, and thermal tolerance after acclimation to those without algae (aposymbiotic hydra) but they had higher acclimation capacity. Acclimation of the host (hydra) and/or symbiont (algae) to elevated temperatures increased holobiont thermal tolerance and these effects persisted for multiple asexual generations. In addition, acclimated algae presence enhanced hydra fitness under prolonged sublethal thermal stress, especially when food was limited. Our study indicates while less intense but sublethal stress may favor symbiotic organisms by allowing them to acclimate, sudden large, potentially lethal fluctuations in climate stress likely favor aposymbiotic organisms. It also suggests that thermally stressed colonies of holobionts could disperse acclimated hosts and/or symbionts to other colonies, thereby reducing their vulnerability to climate change.
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lin D, Zhang L, Shao W, Li X, Liu X, Wu H, Rao Q. Phylogenetic analyses and characteristics of the microbiomes from five mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). Ecol Evol 2019; 9:1972-1984. [PMID: 30847086 PMCID: PMC6392364 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2018] [Revised: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Associations between Sternorrhyncha insects and intracellular bacteria are common in nature. Mealybugs are destructive pests that seriously threaten the production of agriculture and forestry. Mealybugs have evolved intimate endosymbiotic relationships with bacteria, which provide them with essential amino acids, vitamins, and other nutrients. In this study, the divergence of five mealybugs was analyzed based up the sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI). Meanwhile, the distinct regions of the 16S rRNA gene of primary symbionts in the mealybugs were sequenced. Finally, high-throughput sequencing (HTS) techniques were used to study the microbial abundance and diversity in mealybugs. Molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that these five mealybugs were subdivided into two different clusters. One cluster of mealybugs (Dysmicoccus neobrevipes, Pseudococcus comstocki, and Planococcus minor) harbored the primary endosymbiont "Candidatus Tremblaya princeps," and another cluster (Phenacoccus solenopsis and Phenacoccus solani) harbored "Ca. Tremblaya phenacola." The mtCOI sequence divergence between the two clusters was similar to the 16S rRNA sequence divergence between T. princeps and T. phenacola. Thus, we concluded that the symbiont phylogeny was largely concordant with the host phylogeny. The HTS showed that the microbial abundance and diversity within P. solani and P. solenopsis were highly similar, and there was lower overall species richness compared to the other mealybugs. Among the five mealybugs, we also found significant differences in Shannon diversity and observed species. These results provide a theoretical basis for further research on the coevolution of mealybugs and their symbiotic microorganisms. These findings are also useful for research on the effect of symbiont diversity on the pest status of mealybugs in agricultural systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan lin
- School of Agriculture and Food ScienceZhejiang A & F UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Li Zhang
- School of Agriculture and Food ScienceZhejiang A & F UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Weidong Shao
- Zhoushan Entry‐exit Inspection and Quarantine BreauNingboChina
| | - Xuelian Li
- Ningbo Entry‐exit Inspection and Quarantine BureauNingboChina
| | - Xunyue Liu
- School of Agriculture and Food ScienceZhejiang A & F UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Huiming Wu
- School of Agriculture and Food ScienceZhejiang A & F UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Qiong Rao
- School of Agriculture and Food ScienceZhejiang A & F UniversityHangzhouChina
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Nalepa CA. What Kills the Hindgut Flagellates of Lower Termites during the Host Molting Cycle? Microorganisms 2017; 5:E82. [PMID: 29258251 PMCID: PMC5748591 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms5040082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Revised: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Subsocial wood feeding cockroaches in the genus Cryptocercus, the sister group of termites, retain their symbiotic gut flagellates during the host molting cycle, but in lower termites, closely related flagellates die prior to host ecdysis. Although the prevalent view is that termite flagellates die because of conditions of starvation and desiccation in the gut during the host molting cycle, the work of L.R. Cleveland in the 1930s through the 1960s provides a strong alternate hypothesis: it was the changed hormonal environment associated with the origin of eusociality and its concomitant shift in termite developmental ontogeny that instigates the death of the flagellates in termites. Although the research on termite gut microbial communities has exploded since the advent of modern molecular techniques, the role of the host hormonal environment on the life cycle of its gut flagellates has been neglected. Here Cleveland's studies are revisited to provide a basis for re-examination of the problem, and the results framed in the context of two alternate hypotheses: the flagellate symbionts are victims of the change in host social status, or the flagellates have become incorporated into the life cycle of the eusocial termite colony. Recent work on parasitic protists suggests clear paths for exploring these hypotheses and for resolving long standing issues regarding sexual-encystment cycles in flagellates of the Cryptocercus-termite lineage using molecular methodologies, bringing the problem into the modern era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine A Nalepa
- Department of Entomology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7613, USA.
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Wernegreen JJ. Ancient bacterial endosymbionts of insects: Genomes as sources of insight and springboards for inquiry. Exp Cell Res 2017; 358:427-432. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2017.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Revised: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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Silverstein RN, Cunning R, Baker AC. Change in algal symbiont communities after bleaching, not prior heat exposure, increases heat tolerance of reef corals. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2015; 21:236-249. [PMID: 25099991 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.12706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2014] [Accepted: 06/13/2014] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Mutualistic organisms can be particularly susceptible to climate change stress, as their survivorship is often limited by the most vulnerable partner. However, symbiotic plasticity can also help organisms in changing environments by expanding their realized niche space. Coral-algal (Symbiodinium spp.) symbiosis exemplifies this dichotomy: the partnership is highly susceptible to 'bleaching' (stress-induced symbiosis breakdown), but stress-tolerant symbionts can also sometimes mitigate bleaching. Here, we investigate the role of diverse and mutable symbiotic partnerships in increasing corals' ability to thrive in high temperature conditions. We conducted repeat bleaching and recovery experiments on the coral Montastraea cavernosa, and used quantitative PCR and chlorophyll fluorometry to assess the structure and function of Symbiodinium communities within coral hosts. During an initial heat exposure (32 °C for 10 days), corals hosting only stress-sensitive symbionts (Symbiodinium C3) bleached, but recovered (at either 24 °C or 29 °C) with predominantly (>90%) stress-tolerant symbionts (Symbiodinium D1a), which were not detected before bleaching (either due to absence or extreme low abundance). When a second heat stress (also 32 °C for 10 days) was applied 3 months later, corals that previously bleached and were now dominated by D1a Symbiodinium experienced less photodamage and symbiont loss compared to control corals that had not been previously bleached, and were therefore still dominated by Symbiodinium C3. Additional corals that were initially bleached without heat by a herbicide (DCMU, at 24 °C) also recovered predominantly with D1a symbionts, and similarly lost fewer symbionts during subsequent thermal stress. Increased thermotolerance was also not observed in C3-dominated corals that were acclimated for 3 months to warmer temperatures (29 °C) before heat stress. These findings indicate that increased thermotolerance post-bleaching resulted from symbiont community composition changes, not prior heat exposure. Moreover, initially undetectable D1a symbionts became dominant only after bleaching, and were critical to corals' resilience after stress and resistance to future stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel N Silverstein
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, 4600 Rickenbacker Cswy, Miami, FL, 33149, USA
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Rosas-Pérez T, Rosenblueth M, Rincón-Rosales R, Mora J, Martínez-Romero E. Genome sequence of "Candidatus Walczuchella monophlebidarum" the flavobacterial endosymbiont of Llaveia axin axin (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Monophlebidae). Genome Biol Evol 2014; 6:714-26. [PMID: 24610838 PMCID: PMC3971599 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evu049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidae) constitute a very diverse group of sap-feeding insects with a large diversity of symbiotic associations with bacteria. Here, we present the complete genome sequence, metabolic reconstruction, and comparative genomics of the flavobacterial endosymbiont of the giant scale insect Llaveia axin axin. The gene repertoire of its 309,299 bp genome was similar to that of other flavobacterial insect endosymbionts though not syntenic. According to its genetic content, essential amino acid biosynthesis is likely to be the flavobacterial endosymbiont's principal contribution to the symbiotic association with its insect host. We also report the presence of a γ-proteobacterial symbiont that may be involved in waste nitrogen recycling and also has amino acid biosynthetic capabilities that may provide metabolic precursors to the flavobacterial endosymbiont. We propose “Candidatus Walczuchella monophlebidarum” as the name of the flavobacterial endosymbiont of insects from the Monophlebidae family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Rosas-Pérez
- Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
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Neef A, Latorre A, Peretó J, Silva FJ, Pignatelli M, Moya A. Genome economization in the endosymbiont of the wood roach Cryptocercus punctulatus due to drastic loss of amino acid synthesis capabilities. Genome Biol Evol 2011; 3:1437-48. [PMID: 22094859 PMCID: PMC3296467 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evr118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/09/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cockroaches (Blattaria: Dictyoptera) harbor the endosymbiont Blattabacterium sp. in their abdominal fat body. This endosymbiont is involved in nitrogen recycling and amino acid provision to its host. In this study, the genome of Blattabacterium sp. of Cryptocercus punctulatus (BCpu) was sequenced and compared with those of the symbionts of Blattella germanica and Periplaneta americana, BBge and BPam, respectively. The BCpu genome consists of a chromosome of 605.7 kb and a plasmid of 3.8 kb and is therefore approximately 31 kb smaller than the other two aforementioned genomes. The size reduction is due to the loss of 55 genes, 23 of which belong to biosynthetic pathways for amino acids. The pathways for the production of tryptophan, leucine, isoleucine/threonine/valine, methionine, and cysteine have been completely lost. Additionally, the genes for the enzymes catalyzing the last steps of arginine and lysine biosynthesis, argH and lysA, were found to be missing and pseudogenized, respectively. These gene losses render BCpu auxotrophic for nine amino acids more than those corresponding to BBge and BPam. BCpu has also lost capacities for sulfate reduction, production of heme groups, as well as genes for several other unlinked metabolic processes, and genes present in BBge and BPam in duplicates. Amino acids and cofactors that are not synthesized by BCpu are either produced in abundance by hindgut microbiota or are provisioned via a copious diet of dampwood colonized by putrefying microbiota, supplying host and Blattabacterium symbiont with the necessary nutrients and thus permitting genome economization of BCpu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Neef
- Institut Cavanilles de Biodiversitat i Biologia Evolutiva, Universitat de València, Spain
| | - Amparo Latorre
- Institut Cavanilles de Biodiversitat i Biologia Evolutiva, Universitat de València, Spain
- Unidad Mixta de Investigación en Genómica y Salud—Centro Superior Investigación Salud Pública (Generalitat Valenciana)/Institut Cavanilles de Biodiversitat y Biologia Evolutiva, Universitat de València, Spain
- Departament de Genètica, Universitat de València, Spain
| | - Juli Peretó
- Institut Cavanilles de Biodiversitat i Biologia Evolutiva, Universitat de València, Spain
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat de València, Spain
| | - Francisco J. Silva
- Institut Cavanilles de Biodiversitat i Biologia Evolutiva, Universitat de València, Spain
- Unidad Mixta de Investigación en Genómica y Salud—Centro Superior Investigación Salud Pública (Generalitat Valenciana)/Institut Cavanilles de Biodiversitat y Biologia Evolutiva, Universitat de València, Spain
- Departament de Genètica, Universitat de València, Spain
| | - Miguel Pignatelli
- Unidad Mixta de Investigación en Genómica y Salud—Centro Superior Investigación Salud Pública (Generalitat Valenciana)/Institut Cavanilles de Biodiversitat y Biologia Evolutiva, Universitat de València, Spain
- Present address: European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrés Moya
- Institut Cavanilles de Biodiversitat i Biologia Evolutiva, Universitat de València, Spain
- Unidad Mixta de Investigación en Genómica y Salud—Centro Superior Investigación Salud Pública (Generalitat Valenciana)/Institut Cavanilles de Biodiversitat y Biologia Evolutiva, Universitat de València, Spain
- Departament de Genètica, Universitat de València, Spain
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Evolution of cold-tolerant fungal symbionts permits winter fungiculture by leafcutter ants at the northern frontier of a tropical ant-fungus symbiosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011; 108:4053-6. [PMID: 21368106 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1015806108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The obligate mutualism between leafcutter ants and their Attamyces fungi originated 8 to 12 million years ago in the tropics, but extends today also into temperate regions in South and North America. The northernmost leafcutter ant Atta texana sustains fungiculture during winter temperatures that would harm the cold-sensitive Attamyces cultivars of tropical leafcutter ants. Cold-tolerance of Attamyces cultivars increases with winter harshness along a south-to-north temperature gradient across the range of A. texana, indicating selection for cold-tolerant Attamyces variants along the temperature cline. Ecological niche modeling corroborates winter temperature as a key range-limiting factor impeding northward expansion of A. texana. The northernmost A. texana populations are able to sustain fungiculture throughout winter because of their cold-adapted fungi and because of seasonal, vertical garden relocation (maintaining gardens deep in the ground in winter to protect them from extreme cold, then moving gardens to warmer, shallow depths in spring). Although the origin of leafcutter fungiculture was an evolutionary breakthrough that revolutionized the food niche of tropical fungus-growing ants, the original adaptations of this host-microbe symbiosis to tropical temperatures and the dependence on cold-sensitive fungal symbionts eventually constrained expansion into temperate habitats. Evolution of cold-tolerant fungi within the symbiosis relaxed constraints on winter fungiculture at the northern frontier of the leafcutter ant distribution, thereby expanding the ecological niche of an obligate host-microbe symbiosis.
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