Enigmatic dual symbiosis in the excretory organ of Nautilus macromphalus (Cephalopoda: Nautiloidea).

ABSTRACT: Symbiosis is an important driving force in metazoan evolution and the study of ancient lineages can provide an insight into the influence of symbiotic associations on morphological and physiological adaptations. In the 'living fossil' Nautilus, bacterial associations are found in the highly specialized pericardial appendage. This organ is responsible for most of the excretory processes (ultrafiltration, reabsorption and secretion) and secretes an acidic ammonia-rich excretory fluid. In this study, we show that Nautilus macromphalus pericardial appendages harbour a high density of a beta-proteobacterium and a coccoid spirochaete using transmission electron microscopy, comparative 16S rRNA sequence analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). These two bacterial phylotypes are phy

SUBMITTER: Pernice M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2189564 | biostudies-literature | 2007 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature