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Core and Dynamic Microbial Communities of Two Invasive Ascidians: Can Host-Symbiont Dynamics Plasticity Affect
Hila Dror1, Lion Novak1, James S Evans2
1School of Zoology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Microbial Ecology
|November 10, 2018
Summary
Microbial communities in invasive ascidians, Styela plicata and Herdmania momus, show distinct core and dynamic groups. These symbionts may enhance host adaptability to changing marine environments.
Area of Science:
- Marine biology
- Microbial ecology
- Invasive species research
Background:
- Ascidians are successful marine invaders, thriving in polluted and variable conditions.
- Understanding their associated microbial communities is key to their ecological success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate seasonal and spatial dynamics of microbial communities within invasive ascidians.
- To differentiate between core and dynamic microbial populations in Styela plicata and Herdmania momus.
Main Methods:
- Next-generation sequencing of 16S rRNA gene (V4 region) was used to characterize microbial communities.
- Comparison of ascidian-associated microbiomes with local bacterioplankton.
Main Results:
- A clear distinction was observed between the ascidian microbiome and bacterioplankton.
- Two distinct sets of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified: core and dynamic.
- Core OTUs in S. plicata were stable across locations, while dynamic OTUs varied with site and season in H. momus.
- Core OTUs included taxa involved in carbon fixation, ammonia oxidation, denitrification, and heavy-metal processing.
Conclusions:
- Invasive ascidians harbor distinct microbial communities that differ from ambient bacterioplankton.
- The ascidian microbiome, with its functional capabilities, likely enhances host adaptability to environmental changes.
- Symbiotic relationships may contribute to the invasive success of ascidians.
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