Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 23, 2026
09:49
Prospecting Microbial Strains for Bioremediation and Probiotics Development for Metaorganism Research and Preservation
Published on: October 31, 2019
23.3K
Introduced ascidians harbor highly diverse and host-specific symbiotic microbial assemblages
James S Evans1, Patrick M Erwin1, Noa Shenkar2
1Department of Biology & Marine Biology, and Center for Marine Science, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane, Wilmington, NC 28409, United States of America.
Scientific Reports
|September 10, 2017
Summary
Microbial symbionts in ascidians show high host-specificity, potentially aiding these marine invertebrates in adapting to new environments. This research explored the microbiomes of three invasive ascidian species in North Carolina.
Area of Science:
- Marine biology
- Microbial ecology
- Invertebrate zoology
Background:
- Ascidian species are successful global invaders, adapting to diverse environmental conditions.
- The role of microbial symbionts in ascidian adaptation and invasiveness is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the microbial communities associated with three common ascidian species in North Carolina harbors.
- To determine if ascidian microbial symbionts contribute to host adaptation in new environments.
Main Methods:
- Collected ascidian and seawater samples from Wrightsville Beach, NC.
- Characterized microbial communities using next-generation sequencing of 16S rRNA genes.
- Analyzed microbial community structure and identified core symbionts.
Main Results:
- Ascidians host diverse microbial communities distinct from surrounding seawater.
- Each ascidian species harbors a unique microbial community composition.
- Identified 103 core operational taxonomic units (OTUs) across all ascidian samples, some linked to crucial ecological functions.
Conclusions:
- Ascidian microbial symbionts display significant host-specificity.
- These symbiotic relationships may enhance ascidian holobiont function and adaptation capabilities in introduced habitats.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:27Diversity of Protists II
1.4K
Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
1.4K
01:27Diversity of Protists III
1.3K
Rhizaria are a diverse group of unicellular protists characterized by their threadlike cytoplasmic extensions known as pseudopodia. These structures aid in both locomotion and feeding, giving Rhizaria an amoeboid appearance. Their amoeboid morphology once led to taxonomic confusion, but molecular phylogenetics has clarified their evolutionary placement and emphasized their shared use of pseudopodia despite divergent lineages.This clade comprises diverse lineages such as Chlorarachniophyta,...
1.3K
01:15Diversity of Protists I
1.5K
Excavata is a diverse group of protists that includes both chemoorganotrophic and phototrophic species, with some thriving in anaerobic environments. Among the key groups within Excavata are diplomonads and parabasalids, which are flagellated protists that lack mitochondria and chloroplasts. These microorganisms typically inhabit anoxic environments, such as the intestines of animals, where they exist either symbiotically or as parasites, relying on fermentation for energy production. Some...
1.5K
01:24Diversity of Archaea II
579
Archaea, one of the three domains of life, exhibit remarkable diversity and adaptability, thriving in both extreme and moderate environments. Historically, most identified archaea have been classified into two major phyla: Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota. However, recent molecular studies have expanded this classification to include three additional phyla: Thaumarchaeota, Nanoarchaeota, and Korarchaeota, each exhibiting unique characteristics and ecological roles.Thaumarchaeota: Mesophiles...
579
01:30Diversity of Archaea I
737
Archaea, a domain of single-celled microorganisms, are classified into five major phyla based on genetic and biochemical characteristics: Euryarchaeota, Crenarchaeota, Thaumarchaeota, Korarchaeota, and Nanoarchaeota. Among these, the phylum Euryarchaeota is notable for its remarkable diversity in morphology, metabolism, and ecological adaptations.Morphological and Metabolic DiversityMembers of Euryarchaeota exhibit a variety of cellular shapes, including rods and cocci. Their metabolic pathways...
737
01:28Fungal Phylum Ascomycota
1.7K
Phylum Ascomycota, a major division within the subkingdom Dikarya, comprises a diverse range of fungal species, including both unicellular yeasts and filamentous molds such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. These fungi thrive in a variety of habitats, from aquatic ecosystems to terrestrial environments, playing crucial ecological and economic roles.Morphology and ReproductionThe defining characteristic of Ascomycetes, commonly referred to as sac fungi, is the ascus—a sac-like structure that...
1.7K