Evolution of a Vegetarian Vibrio: Metabolic Specialization of Vibrio breoganii to Macroalgal Substrates.

ABSTRACT: While most Vibrionaceae are considered generalists that thrive on diverse substrates, including animal-derived material, we show that Vibrio breoganii has specialized for the consumption of marine macroalga-derived substrates. Genomic and physiological comparisons of V. breoganii with other Vibrionaceae isolates revealed the ability to degrade alginate, laminarin, and additional glycans present in algal cell walls. Moreover, the widely conserved ability to hydrolyze animal-derived polymers, including chitin and glycogen, was lost, along with the ability to efficiently grow on a variety of amino acids. Ecological data showing associations with particulate algal material but not zooplankton further support this shift in niche preference, and the loss of motility appears to reflect a sessile

SUBMITTER: Corzett CH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6040190 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature