Feeding cessation alters host morphology and bacterial communities in the ascidian Pseudodistoma crucigaster.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Ascidians can associate with abundant and diverse consortia of microbial symbionts, yet these communities remain unexamined for the majority of host ascidians and little is known about host-symbiont interactions.

Methods

We coupled electron microscopy and 16S rRNA gene tag pyrosequencing to investigate the bacterial communities associated with the colonial ascidian Pseudodistoma crucigaster, a species endemic to the Mediterranean Sea that has a life cycle with two phases: actively-filtering (active) and non-filtering (resting) forms.

Results

Resting colonies exhibited a reduced branchial sac (feeding apparatus) and a thickened cuticle. Electron microscope images also suggested higher abundance of colonizing microorganisms on surfaces of resting colonies. Ac

SUBMITTER: Lopez-Legentil S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4712478 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature