1. Tissue-associated and vertically transmitted bacterial symbiont in the coral Pocillopora acuta.
- Author
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Maire J, Tsang Min Ching SJ, Damjanovic K, Epstein HE, Judd LM, Blackall LL, and van Oppen MJH
- Subjects
- Animals, Phylogeny, RNA, Ribosomal, 16S genetics, Bacteria genetics, Metagenome, Coral Reefs, Symbiosis, Anthozoa microbiology, Gammaproteobacteria genetics
- Abstract
Coral microhabitats are colonized by a myriad of microorganisms, including diverse bacteria which are essential for host functioning and survival. However, the location, transmission, and functions of individual bacterial species living inside the coral tissues remain poorly studied. Here, we show that a previously undescribed bacterial symbiont of the coral Pocillopora acuta forms cell-associated microbial aggregates (CAMAs) within the mesenterial filaments. CAMAs were found in both adults and larval offspring, suggesting vertical transmission. In situ laser capture microdissection of CAMAs followed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and shotgun metagenomics produced a near complete metagenome-assembled genome. We subsequently cultured the CAMA bacteria from Pocillopora acuta colonies, and sequenced and assembled their genomes. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the CAMA bacteria belong to an undescribed Endozoicomonadaceae genus and species, which we propose to name Candidatus Sororendozoicomonas aggregata gen. nov sp. nov. Metabolic pathway reconstruction from its genome sequence suggests this species can synthesize most amino acids, several B vitamins, and antioxidants, and participate in carbon cycling and prey digestion, which may be beneficial to its coral hosts. This study provides detailed insights into a new member of the widespread Endozoicomonadaceae family, thereby improving our understanding of coral holobiont functioning. Vertically transmitted, tissue-associated bacteria, such as Sororendozoicomonas aggregata may be key candidates for the development of microbiome manipulation approaches with long-term positive effects on the coral host., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Society for Microbial Ecology.)
- Published
- 2024
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