2 research outputs found
Small core communities and high variability in bacteria associated with the introduced ascidian Styela plicata
12 páginas, 2 tablas, 5 figuras.The solitary ascidian Styela plicata is an introduced
species in harbors of temperate and tropical oceans
around the world. The invasive potential of this species has
been studied through reproductive biology and population
genetics but no study has yet examined the microbial diversity
associated with this ascidian and its potential role in
host ecology and invasiveness. Here, we used 16S rRNA
gene tag pyrosequencing and transmission electron microscopy
to characterize the abundance, diversity and hostspecificity
of bacteria associated with 3 Mediterranean individuals
of S. plicata. Microscopy revealed low bacterial
abundance in the inner tunic and their absence from gonad
tissues, while pyrosequencing revealed a high diversity of S.
plicata-associated bacteria (284 OTUs from 16 microbial
phyla) in the inner tunic. The core symbiont community was
small and consisted of 16 OTUs present in all S. plicata
hosts. This core community included a recently described
ascidian symbiont (Hasllibacter halocynthiae) and several
known sponge and coral symbionts, including a strictly
anaerobic Chloroflexi lineage. Most recovered bacterial
OTUs (79.6 %) were present in single S. plicata individuals
and statistical analyses of genetic diversity and community
structure confirmed high variability of bacterial communities
among host individuals. These results suggest that
diverse and variable bacterial communities inhabit the tunic
of S. plicata, including environmental and host-associated
bacterial lineages that appear to be re-established each host
generation. We hypothesize that bacterial communities in S.
plicata are dynamic and have the potential to aid host
acclimation to new habitats by establishing relationships
with beneficial, locally sourced bacteria.This research was funded by the Marie Curie
International Reintegration Grant FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG 277038
within the 7th European Community Framework Program, the Spanish
Government projects CTM2010-17755 and CTM2010-22218, and the
Catalan Government grant 2009SGR-484 for Consolidated Research
Groups.Peer reviewe