Mixed transmission modes and dynamic genome evolution in an obligate animal-bacterial symbiosis.

ABSTRACT: Reliable transmission of symbionts between host generations facilitates the evolution of beneficial and pathogenic associations. Although transmission mode is typically characterized as either vertical or horizontal, the prevalence of intermediate transmission modes, and their impact on symbiont genome evolution, are understudied. Here, we use population genomics to explore mixed transmission modes of chemosynthetic bacterial symbionts in the bivalve Solemya velum. Despite strong evidence for symbiont inheritance through host oocytes, whole-genome analyses revealed signatures of frequent horizontal transmission, including discordant mitochondrial-symbiont genealogies, widespread recombination and a dynamic symbiont genome structure consistent with evolutionary patterns of horizontally tran

SUBMITTER: Russell SL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5437345 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature