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Archaeal symbionts and parasites
Christine Moissl-Eichinger1, Harald Huber
1Institute for Microbiology and Archaeal Center, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstrasse 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany.
Current Opinion in Microbiology
|May 17, 2011
Summary
Archaea form complex symbiotic relationships with Eukarya, Bacteria, and other Archaea. These specialized interspecies associations challenge traditional classifications like mutualism or parasitism.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Symbiotic Relationships
- Archaea Biology
Background:
- Archaea engage in diverse symbiotic and parasitic interactions with Eukarya and Bacteria.
- Known associations include methanogens in various hosts and bacterial-archaeal consortia.
- The only cultivated archaeal-archaeal symbiosis involves Nanoarchaeum equitans and Ignicoccus hospitalis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the range and nature of symbiotic associations involving Archaea.
- To highlight the unique characteristics of these interspecies relationships.
- To discuss the classification challenges posed by these consortia.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of known archaeal symbiotic associations.
- Analysis of examples across different domains of life (Eukarya, Bacteria, Archaea).
- Case study of Nanoarchaeum equitans and Ignicoccus hospitalis.
Main Results:
- Archaea participate in symbiotic associations with Eukarya (e.g., methanogens, Cenarchaeum symbiosum) and Bacteria (e.g., methane oxidation consortia).
- A unique obligate symbiosis exists between two Archaea: Nanoarchaeum equitans and Ignicoccus hospitalis.
- These associations often defy classical symbiotic classifications.
Conclusions:
- Archaea exhibit a wide spectrum of specialized interspecies associations.
- These relationships necessitate a broader understanding beyond traditional symbiotic categories.
- Further research is needed to fully characterize these complex microbial interactions.
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