Metagenomic analysis suggests broad metabolic potential in extracellular symbionts of the bivalve Thyasira cf. gouldi.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Next-generation sequencing has opened new avenues for studying metabolic capabilities of bacteria that cannot be cultured. Here, we provide a metagenomic description of chemoautotrophic gammaproteobacterial symbionts associated with Thyasira cf. gouldi, a sediment-dwelling bivalve from the family Thyasiridae. Thyasirid symbionts differ from those of other bivalves by being extracellular, and recent work suggests that they are capable of living freely in the environment.

Results

Thyasira cf. gouldi symbionts appear to form mixed, non-clonal populations in the host, show no signs of genomic reduction and contain many genes that would only be useful outside the host, including flagellar and chemotaxis genes. The thyasirid symbionts may be capable of sulfur oxidation

SUBMITTER: McCuaig B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7807488 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature