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Eukaryovorous Predation in Evolutionarily Significant Excavate-Like Flagellates.

Sei Suzuki-Tellier1, James F Cass2, Elizabeth J Weston3

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The Last Eukaryotic Common Ancestor (LECA) may have resembled excavates. This study reveals deep-branching flagellates use unique hunting strategies, differing from excavates, with unclear evolutionary implications for early eukaryotes.

Keywords:
LECAextrusomehuntermotility behaviorprey captureventral groove

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Area of Science:

  • Eukaryotic evolution
  • Protist functional ecology
  • Comparative cell biology

Background:

  • The Last Eukaryotic Common Ancestor (LECA) is hypothesized to resemble excavates, a group of deep-branching flagellates.
  • Excavates possess a characteristic vane-bearing posterior flagellum and ventral groove, crucial for feeding currents in bacterivorous species.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the functional ecology of deep-branching flagellates (Alveolata and Provora) with excavate-like morphology.
  • To compare the propulsion and hunting strategies of these flagellates with typical excavates.
  • To explore the evolutionary significance of the vane-and-groove structure.

Main Methods:

  • Observational study of four species of deep-branching flagellates.
  • Analysis of flagellar function and prey capture mechanisms.
  • Computational simulations to assess the energetic costs of the vane-and-groove morphology.

Main Results:

  • The studied flagellates are motile hunters of eukaryotic prey, unlike bacterivorous excavates.
  • Propulsion is achieved by two posteriorly directed flagella, with prey attachment aided by flagellar force and extrusomes.
  • Hunting and propulsion strategies differ significantly from typical excavates, despite shared vane-and-groove morphology.

Conclusions:

  • The vane-and-groove morphology's role in prey attachment is suggested but energetically disadvantageous for propulsion, leaving its origin and phylogenetic implications uncertain.
  • This research expands the understanding of functional ecology in flagellates with this morphology.
  • Findings contribute to insights into early eukaryote evolution and the deep history of eukaryotic life.