1
|
Gtari M, Maaoui R, Ghodhbane-Gtari F, Ben Slama K, Sbissi I. MAGs-centric crack: how long will, spore-positive Frankia and most Protofrankia, microsymbionts remain recalcitrant to axenic growth? Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1367490. [PMID: 39144212 PMCID: PMC11323853 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1367490] [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: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Nearly 50 years after the ground-breaking isolation of the primary Comptonia peregrina microsymbiont under axenic conditions, efforts to isolate a substantial number of Protofrankia and Frankia strains continue with enduring challenges and complexities. This study aimed to streamline genomic insights through comparative and predictive tools to extract traits crucial for isolating specific Frankia in axenic conditions. Pangenome analysis unveiled significant genetic diversity, suggesting untapped potential for cultivation strategies. Shared metabolic strategies in cellular components, central metabolic pathways, and resource acquisition traits offered promising avenues for cultivation. Ecological trait extraction indicated that most uncultured strains exhibit no apparent barriers to axenic growth. Despite ongoing challenges, potential caveats, and errors that could bias predictive analyses, this study provides a nuanced perspective. It highlights potential breakthroughs and guides refined cultivation strategies for these yet-uncultured strains. We advocate for tailored media formulations enriched with simple carbon sources in aerobic environments, with atmospheric nitrogen optionally sufficient to minimize contamination risks. Temperature adjustments should align with strain preferences-28-29°C for Frankia and 32-35°C for Protofrankia-while maintaining an alkaline pH. Given potential extended incubation periods (predicted doubling times ranging from 3.26 to 9.60 days, possibly up to 21.98 days), patience and rigorous contamination monitoring are crucial for optimizing cultivation conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maher Gtari
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, USCR Molecular Bacteriology and Genomics, National Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology, University of Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Radhi Maaoui
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, USCR Molecular Bacteriology and Genomics, National Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology, University of Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Faten Ghodhbane-Gtari
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, USCR Molecular Bacteriology and Genomics, National Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology, University of Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia
- Higher Institute of Biotechnology Sidi Thabet, University of La Manouba, Tunisia
| | - Karim Ben Slama
- LR Bioresources, Environment, and Biotechnology (LR22ES04), Higher Institute of Applied Biological Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Imed Sbissi
- LR Pastoral Ecology, Arid Regions Institute, University of Gabes, Medenine, Tunisia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Allen-Waller LR, Jones KG, Martynek MP, Brown KT, Barott KL. Comparative physiology reveals heat stress disrupts acid-base homeostasis independent of symbiotic state in the model cnidarian Exaiptasia diaphana. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246222. [PMID: 38269486 PMCID: PMC10911193 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Climate change threatens the survival of symbiotic cnidarians by causing photosymbiosis breakdown in a process known as bleaching. Direct effects of temperature on cnidarian host physiology remain difficult to describe because heatwaves depress symbiont performance, leading to host stress and starvation. The symbiotic sea anemone Exaiptasia diaphana provides an opportune system to disentangle direct versus indirect heat effects on the host, as it can survive indefinitely without symbionts. We tested the hypothesis that heat directly impairs cnidarian physiology by comparing symbiotic and aposymbiotic individuals of two laboratory subpopulations of a commonly used clonal strain of E. diaphana, CC7. We exposed anemones to a range of temperatures (ambient, +2°C, +4°C and +6°C) for 15-18 days, then measured their symbiont population densities, autotrophic carbon assimilation and translocation, photosynthesis, respiration and host intracellular pH (pHi). Symbiotic anemones from the two subpopulations differed in size and symbiont density and exhibited distinct heat stress responses, highlighting the importance of acclimation to different laboratory conditions. Specifically, the cohort with higher initial symbiont densities experienced dose-dependent symbiont loss with increasing temperature and a corresponding decline in host photosynthate accumulation. In contrast, the cohort with lower initial symbiont densities did not lose symbionts or assimilate less photosynthate when heated, similar to the response of aposymbiotic anemones. However, anemone pHi decreased at higher temperatures regardless of cohort, symbiont presence or photosynthate translocation, indicating that heat consistently disrupts cnidarian acid-base homeostasis independent of symbiotic status or mutualism breakdown. Thus, pH regulation may be a critical vulnerability for cnidarians in a changing climate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Katelyn G. Jones
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | - Kristen T. Brown
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Katie L. Barott
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Buttimer S, Moura-Campos D, Greenspan SE, Neely WJ, Ferrante L, Toledo LF, Becker CG. Skin microbiome disturbance linked to drought-associated amphibian disease. Ecol Lett 2024; 27:e14372. [PMID: 38288868 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
The onset of global climate change has led to abnormal rainfall patterns, disrupting associations between wildlife and their symbiotic microorganisms. We monitored a population of pumpkin toadlets and their skin bacteria in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest during a drought. Given the recognized ability of some amphibian skin bacteria to inhibit the widespread fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), we investigated links between skin microbiome health, susceptibility to Bd and host mortality during a die-off event. We found that rainfall deficit was an indirect predictor of Bd loads through microbiome disruption, while its direct effect on Bd was weak. The microbiome was characterized by fewer putative Bd-inhibitory bacteria following the drought, which points to a one-month lagged effect of drought on the microbiome that may have increased toadlet susceptibility to Bd. Our study underscores the capacity of rainfall variability to disturb complex host-microbiome interactions and alter wildlife disease dynamics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Buttimer
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- One Health Microbiome Center, Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Ecology Institute, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Diego Moura-Campos
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sasha E Greenspan
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
| | - Wesley J Neely
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, USA
| | - Lucas Ferrante
- Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Luís Felipe Toledo
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - C Guilherme Becker
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- One Health Microbiome Center, Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Ecology Institute, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Baden T, Briseño J, Coffing G, Cohen-Bodénès S, Courtney A, Dickerson D, Dölen G, Fiorito G, Gestal C, Gustafson T, Heath-Heckman E, Hua Q, Imperadore P, Kimbara R, Król M, Lajbner Z, Lichilín N, Macchi F, McCoy MJ, Nishiguchi MK, Nyholm SV, Otjacques E, Pérez-Ferrer PA, Ponte G, Pungor JR, Rogers TF, Rosenthal JJC, Rouressol L, Rubas N, Sanchez G, Santos CP, Schultz DT, Seuntjens E, Songco-Casey JO, Stewart IE, Styfhals R, Tuanapaya S, Vijayan N, Weissenbacher A, Zifcakova L, Schulz G, Weertman W, Simakov O, Albertin CB. Cephalopod-omics: Emerging Fields and Technologies in Cephalopod Biology. Integr Comp Biol 2023; 63:1226-1239. [PMID: 37370232 PMCID: PMC10755191 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icad087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Few animal groups can claim the level of wonder that cephalopods instill in the minds of researchers and the general public. Much of cephalopod biology, however, remains unexplored: the largest invertebrate brain, difficult husbandry conditions, and complex (meta-)genomes, among many other things, have hindered progress in addressing key questions. However, recent technological advancements in sequencing, imaging, and genetic manipulation have opened new avenues for exploring the biology of these extraordinary animals. The cephalopod molecular biology community is thus experiencing a large influx of researchers, emerging from different fields, accelerating the pace of research in this clade. In the first post-pandemic event at the Cephalopod International Advisory Council (CIAC) conference in April 2022, over 40 participants from all over the world met and discussed key challenges and perspectives for current cephalopod molecular biology and evolution. Our particular focus was on the fields of comparative and regulatory genomics, gene manipulation, single-cell transcriptomics, metagenomics, and microbial interactions. This article is a result of this joint effort, summarizing the latest insights from these emerging fields, their bottlenecks, and potential solutions. The article highlights the interdisciplinary nature of the cephalopod-omics community and provides an emphasis on continuous consolidation of efforts and collaboration in this rapidly evolving field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tom Baden
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK
| | - John Briseño
- Molecular and Cell Biology Department, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Gabrielle Coffing
- Biology Department: Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-5289, USA
| | - Sophie Cohen-Bodénès
- Laboratoire des Systèmes Perceptifs, Département d'Etudes Cognitives, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Amy Courtney
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Dominick Dickerson
- Friday Harbor Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98250, USA
| | - Gül Dölen
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Graziano Fiorito
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Napoli, Italy
| | - Camino Gestal
- Laboratory of Marine Molecular Pathobiology, Institute of Marine Research (IIM), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Vigo 36208, Spain
| | | | - Elizabeth Heath-Heckman
- Departments of Integrative Biology and Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Qiaz Hua
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia
| | - Pamela Imperadore
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Napoli, Italy
| | - Ryosuke Kimbara
- Misaki Marine Biological Station, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Miura, Kanagawa 238-0225, Japan
| | - Mirela Król
- Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań 61-712, Poland
| | - Zdeněk Lajbner
- Physics and Biology Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna, Kunigami District, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Nicolás Lichilín
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna 1010, Austria
| | - Filippo Macchi
- Program in Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 129188 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Matthew J McCoy
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Michele K Nishiguchi
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, 5200 N. Lake Blvd., Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Spencer V Nyholm
- Molecular and Cell Biology Department, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Eve Otjacques
- MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre & ARNET—Aquatic Research Network, Laboratório Marítimo da Guia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Nossa Senhora do Cabo, 939, 2750-374 Cascais, Portugal
- Division of Biosphere Sciences and Engineering, Carnegie Institution for Science, 1200 E. California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Pedro Antonio Pérez-Ferrer
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, 5200 N. Lake Blvd., Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Giovanna Ponte
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Napoli, Italy
| | - Judit R Pungor
- Biology Department: Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-5289, USA
| | - Thea F Rogers
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna 1010, Austria
| | - Joshua J C Rosenthal
- Marine Biological Laboratory, The Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Woods Hole, MA 02543-1015, USA
| | - Lisa Rouressol
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna 1010, Austria
| | - Noelle Rubas
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Gustavo Sanchez
- Molecular Genetics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Catarina Pereira Santos
- MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre & ARNET—Aquatic Research Network, Laboratório Marítimo da Guia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Nossa Senhora do Cabo, 939, 2750-374 Cascais, Portugal
| | - Darrin T Schultz
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna 1010, Austria
| | - Eve Seuntjens
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Jeremea O Songco-Casey
- Biology Department: Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-5289, USA
| | - Ian Erik Stewart
- Neural Circuits and Behaviour Lab, Max‐Delbrück‐Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin 13125, Germany
| | - Ruth Styfhals
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Surangkana Tuanapaya
- Laboratory of genetics and applied breeding of molluscs, Fisheries College, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Nidhi Vijayan
- Molecular and Cell Biology Department, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | | | - Lucia Zifcakova
- Physics and Biology Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna, Kunigami District, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | | | - Willem Weertman
- Friday Harbor Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98250, USA
| | - Oleg Simakov
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna 1010, Austria
| | - Caroline B Albertin
- Marine Biological Laboratory, The Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Woods Hole, MA 02543-1015, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wang Z, Huang W, Mai Y, Tian Y, Wu B, Wang C, Yan Q, He Z, Shu L. Environmental stress promotes the persistence of facultative bacterial symbionts in amoebae. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e9899. [PMID: 36937064 PMCID: PMC10019945 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9899] [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: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Amoebae are one major group of protists that are widely found in natural and engineered environments. They are a significant threat to human health not only because many of them are pathogenic but also due to their unique role as an environmental shelter for pathogens. However, one unsolved issue in the amoeba-bacteria relationship is why so many bacteria live within amoeba hosts while they can also live independently in the environments. By using a facultative amoeba- Paraburkholderia bacteria system, this study shows that facultative bacteria have higher survival rates within amoebae under various environmental stressors. In addition, bacteria survive longer within the amoeba spore than in free living. This study demonstrates that environmental stress can promote the persistence of facultative bacterial symbionts in amoebae. Furthermore, environmental stress may potentially select and produce more amoeba-resisting bacteria, which may increase the biosafety risk related to amoebae and their intracellular bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zihe Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, State Key Laboratory for BiocontrolSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Wei Huang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, State Key Laboratory for BiocontrolSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yingwen Mai
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, State Key Laboratory for BiocontrolSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yuehui Tian
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, State Key Laboratory for BiocontrolSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Bo Wu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, State Key Laboratory for BiocontrolSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Cheng Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, State Key Laboratory for BiocontrolSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Qingyun Yan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, State Key Laboratory for BiocontrolSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Zhili He
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, State Key Laboratory for BiocontrolSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Longfei Shu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, State Key Laboratory for BiocontrolSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Symbiotic dinoflagellates divert energy away from mutualism during coral bleaching recovery. Symbiosis 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s13199-023-00901-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
|
7
|
Clavé C, Sugio A, Morlière S, Pincebourde S, Simon J, Foray V. Physiological costs of facultative endosymbionts in aphids assessed from energy metabolism. Funct Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.14157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Corentin Clavé
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l’Insecte, UMR 7261, CNRS Université de Tours Tours France
- Department of Agricultural Sciences University of Naples Federico II Portici Italy
| | - Akiko Sugio
- IGEPP, Agrocampus Ouest, INRA Université de Rennes 1 Le Rheu France
| | | | - Sylvain Pincebourde
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l’Insecte, UMR 7261, CNRS Université de Tours Tours France
| | | | - Vincent Foray
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l’Insecte, UMR 7261, CNRS Université de Tours Tours France
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wolz M, Rueckert S, Müller C. Fluctuating Starvation Conditions Modify Host-Symbiont Relationship Between a Leaf Beetle and Its Newly Identified Gregarine Species. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.850161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gregarines are ubiquitous endosymbionts in invertebrates, including terrestrial insects. However, the biodiversity of gregarines is probably vastly underestimated and the knowledge about their role in shaping fitness-related traits of their host in dependence of fluctuating environmental conditions is limited. Using morphological and molecular analyses, we identified a new gregarine species, Gregarina cochlearium sp. n., in the mustard leaf beetle, Phaedon cochleariae. Applying a full-factorial design, we investigated the effects of a gregarine infection in combination with fluctuating starvation conditions during the larval stage on the development time and fitness-related traits of adult beetles. Under benign environmental conditions, the relationship between gregarines and the host seemed neutral, as host development, body mass, reproduction and survival were not altered by a gregarine infection. However, when additionally exposed to starvation, the combination of gregarine infection and this stress resulted in the lowest reproduction and survival of the host, which points to a parasitic relationship. Furthermore, when the host experienced starvation, the development time was prolonged and the adult females were lighter compared to non-starved individuals, independent of the presence of gregarines. Counting of gregarines in the guts of larvae revealed a lower gregarine load with increasing host body mass under stable food conditions, which indicates a regulation of the gregarine burden in dependence of the host condition. Contrary, in starved individuals the number of gregarines was the highest, hence the already weakened host suffered additionally from a higher gregarine burden. This interactive effect between gregarine infection and fluctuating starvation conditions led to an overall reduced fitness of P. cochleariae. Our study emphasizes the need to study endosymbionts as important components of the natural environment and to investigate the role of host-symbiont relationships under fluctuating environmental conditions in an evolutionary and ecological context.
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
Recent human activity has profoundly transformed Earth biomes on a scale and at rates that are unprecedented. Given the central role of symbioses in ecosystem processes, functions, and services throughout the Earth biosphere, the impacts of human-driven change on symbioses are critical to understand. Symbioses are not merely collections of organisms, but co-evolved partners that arise from the synergistic combination and action of different genetic programs. They function with varying degrees of permanence and selection as emergent units with substantial potential for combinatorial and evolutionary innovation in both structure and function. Following an articulation of operational definitions of symbiosis and related concepts and characteristics of the Anthropocene, we outline a basic typology of anthropogenic change (AC) and a conceptual framework for how AC might mechanistically impact symbioses with select case examples to highlight our perspective. We discuss surprising connections between symbiosis and the Anthropocene, suggesting ways in which new symbioses could arise due to AC, how symbioses could be agents of ecosystem change, and how symbioses, broadly defined, of humans and "farmed" organisms may have launched the Anthropocene. We conclude with reflections on the robustness of symbioses to AC and our perspective on the importance of symbioses as ecosystem keystones and the need to tackle anthropogenic challenges as wise and humble stewards embedded within the system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erik F. Y. Hom
- Department of Biology and Center for Biodiversity and Conservation Research, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677 USA
| | - Alexandra S. Penn
- Department of Sociology and Centre for Evaluation of Complexity Across the Nexus, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH UK
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Natural experiments and long-term monitoring are critical to understand and predict marine host-microbe ecology and evolution. PLoS Biol 2021; 19:e3001322. [PMID: 34411089 PMCID: PMC8376202 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine multicellular organisms host a diverse collection of bacteria, archaea, microbial eukaryotes, and viruses that form their microbiome. Such host-associated microbes can significantly influence the host’s physiological capacities; however, the identity and functional role(s) of key members of the microbiome (“core microbiome”) in most marine hosts coexisting in natural settings remain obscure. Also unclear is how dynamic interactions between hosts and the immense standing pool of microbial genetic variation will affect marine ecosystems’ capacity to adjust to environmental changes. Here, we argue that significantly advancing our understanding of how host-associated microbes shape marine hosts’ plastic and adaptive responses to environmental change requires (i) recognizing that individual host–microbe systems do not exist in an ecological or evolutionary vacuum and (ii) expanding the field toward long-term, multidisciplinary research on entire communities of hosts and microbes. Natural experiments, such as time-calibrated geological events associated with well-characterized environmental gradients, provide unique ecological and evolutionary contexts to address this challenge. We focus here particularly on mutualistic interactions between hosts and microbes, but note that many of the same lessons and approaches would apply to other types of interactions. This Essay argues that in order to truly understand how marine hosts benefit from the immense diversity of microbes, we need to expand towards long-term, multi-disciplinary research focussing on few areas of the world’s ocean that we refer to as “natural experiments,” where processes can be studied at scales that far exceed those captured in laboratory experiments.
Collapse
|
11
|
Engl T, Schmidt THP, Kanyile SN, Klebsch D. Metabolic Cost of a Nutritional Symbiont Manifests in Delayed Reproduction in a Grain Pest Beetle. INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11100717. [PMID: 33092035 PMCID: PMC7589553 DOI: 10.3390/insects11100717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Animals engage in various symbioses. However, these interactions are not always beneficial for the host; they can also incur costs under certain circumstances. The bacterial symbiont supports, on the one hand, the cuticle formation of the sawtoothed grain beetle Oryzaephilus surinamensis, which is extremely beneficial under dry conditions as a thicker and more melanized cuticle prevents desiccation of the insect. On the other hand, under higher humidity, the benefit is strongly reduced. In this study, we investigated whether harboring a symbiont can also be a disadvantage. Therefore, we first measured the number of symbionts throughout the beetles’ life and found a strong increase during the end of metamorphosis, just before beetles reach adulthood. Afterwards, males lose the symbionts again, whereas females retain a stable number. A comparison of beetles with and without symbionts revealed no differences in many life history traits. Larval development took the same time and there was also no difference in adult mortality or lifespan or the number of offspring of females. However, females with symbionts started to reproduce significantly later by one to two weeks, meaning they have a disadvantage in comparison to females without symbionts. Thus, harboring a symbiont is beneficial or costly in a context-dependent manner. Abstract Animals engage in a plethora of mutualistic interactions with microorganisms that can confer various benefits to their host but can also incur context-dependent costs. The sawtoothed grain beetle Oryzaephilus surinamensis harbors nutritional, intracellular Bacteroidetes bacteria that supplement precursors for the cuticle synthesis and thereby enhance desiccation resistance of its host. Experimental elimination of the symbiont impairs cuticle formation and reduces fitness under desiccation stress but does not disrupt the host’s life cycle. For this study, we first demonstrated that symbiont populations showed the strongest growth at the end of metamorphosis and then declined continuously in males, but not in females. The symbiont loss neither impacted the development time until adulthood nor adult mortality or lifespan. Furthermore, lifetime reproduction was not influenced by the symbiont presence. However, symbiotic females started to reproduce almost two weeks later than aposymbiotic ones. Thus, symbiont presence incurs a metabolic and context-dependent fitness cost to females, probably due to a nutrient allocation trade-off between symbiont growth and sexual maturation. The O. surinamensis symbiosis thereby represents an experimentally amenable system to study eco-evolutionary dynamics under variable selection pressures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Engl
- Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55128 Mainz, Germany; (T.H.P.S.); (S.N.K.); (D.K.)
- Research Group Insect Symbiosis, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Thorsten H. P. Schmidt
- Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55128 Mainz, Germany; (T.H.P.S.); (S.N.K.); (D.K.)
| | - Sthandiwe Nomthandazo Kanyile
- Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55128 Mainz, Germany; (T.H.P.S.); (S.N.K.); (D.K.)
| | - Dagmar Klebsch
- Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55128 Mainz, Germany; (T.H.P.S.); (S.N.K.); (D.K.)
| |
Collapse
|