Microbiome reduction and endosymbiont gain from a switch in sea urchin life history.

ABSTRACT: Animal gastrointestinal tracts harbor a microbiome that is integral to host function, yet species from diverse phyla have evolved a reduced digestive system or lost it completely. Whether such changes are associated with alterations in the diversity and/or abundance of the microbiome remains an untested hypothesis in evolutionary symbiosis. Here, using the life history transition from planktotrophy (feeding) to lecithotrophy (nonfeeding) in the sea urchin Heliocidaris, we demonstrate that the lack of a functional gut corresponds with a reduction in microbial community diversity and abundance as well as the association with a diet-specific microbiome. We also determine that the lecithotroph vertically transmits a Rickettsiales that may complement host nutrition through amino acid bio

SUBMITTER: Carrier TJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8072398 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature