Evidence for phylogenetic congruence among sulfur-oxidizing chemoautotrophic bacterial endosymbionts and their bivalve hosts

Sulfur-oxidizing chemoautotrophic (thioautotrophic) bacteria are now known to occur as endosymbionts in phylogenetically diverse bivalve hosts found in a wide variety of marine environments. The evolutionary origins of these symbioses, however, have remained obscure. Comparative 16S rRNA sequence analysis was used to investigate whether thioautotrophic endosymbionts are monophyletic or polyphyletic in origin and to assess whether phylogenetic relationships inferred among these symbionts reflect those inferred among their hosts. 16S rRNA gene sequences determined for endosymbionts from nine newly examined bivalve species from three families (Vesicomyidae, Lucinidae, and Solemyidae) were compared with previously published 16S rRNA sequences of thioautotrophic symbionts and free-living bacteria. Distance and parsimony methods were used to infer phylogenetic relationships among these bacteria. All newly examined symbionts fall within the gamma subdivision of the Proteobacteria, in clusters containing previously examined symbiotic thioautotrophs. The closest free-living relatives of these symbionts are bacteria of the genus Thiomicrospira. Symbionts of the bivalve superfamily Lucinacea and the family Vesicomyidae each form distinct monophyletic lineages which are strongly supported by bootstrap analysis, demonstrating that host phylogenies inferred from morphological and fossil evidence are congruent with phylogenies inferred for their respective symbionts by molecular sequence analysis. The observed congruence between host and symbiont phylogenies indicates shared evolutionary history of hosts and symbiont lineages and suggests an ancient origin for these symbioses. Correspondence to: D.L. Distel     

Influence of microbe-associated parthenogenesis on the fecundity ofTrichogramma deion andT. pretiosum

Microbe-associated parthenogenesis (thelytoky) has been discovered in nineTrichogramma species, parasitoids of mainly lepidopteran eggs. Parthenogenetic and bisexual conspecifics co-occur in many field populations. As an initial step to understand the dynamics of these two reproductive strategies we studied the effect of microbe-associated parthenogenesis on fecundity. The fecundity of two parthenogenetic isofemale lines ofT. pretiosum and one ofT. deion was compared with bisexual lines derived from them by antibiotic treatment. In all three cases parthenogenetic females were less fecund over their lifetime than bisexual females. Also, parthenogenetic females produced fewer daughters in two cases and in one case a similar number of daughters as their respective bisexual counterparts. The lack of mating and insemination was excluded as an explanation for the reduced fecundity of parthenogenetic females, because mated and virgin parthenogenetic females produce the same number of offspring. Antibiotic treatment can also be excluded because females of field-collected bisexual line treated with antibiotics produced the same number of offspring as untreated females. The reduced fecundity of parthenogenetic females was caused by a lower number of eggs being laid rather than by a greater developmental mortality. Parthenogenetic females produced less daughters than bisexual females when host availability was not limiting, but when host availability was severely limited, parthenogenetic females produced more daughters than the bisexual females.     

BACTERIAL ASSOCIATIONS WITH MARINE OSCILLATORIA SP. (TRICHODESMIUM SP.) POPULATIONS: ECOPHYSIOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS1

On three separate occasions we investigated morphological and physiological aspects of bacterial associations with planktonic aggregates of the ubiquitous marine N₂ fixing cyanobacterium Trichodesmium sp. Close associations generally characterized Trichodesmium blooms; associations were present during day- and night-time. Colonization by both rod-shaped and filamentous heterotrophic bacteria occurred on Trichodesmiun aggregates actively fixing N₂ (acetylene reduction). Scanning electron and optical microscopy showed bacteria located both around and within aggregates. Microautoradiography demonstrated that associated bacteria largely mediated utilization of trace additions of ³H-labeled carbohydrates (fructose, glucose, mannitol) and amino acids, whereas Trichodesmium utilized amino acids only. Oxygen measurements using microelectrodes revealed high localized oxygen consumption among aggregates, with rapid (within a minute) changes from supersaturated to subsaturated oxygen following the transition from photosynthetic illuminated to dark periods. Stab culturing techniques confirmed the presence of heterotrophic N₂ fixers among aggregate-associated bacteria. Parallel deployment of oxygen microelectrodes, the tetrazolium salt 2,3,5 triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) and acetylene reduction assays demonstrated microaerophilic requirements for expression of nitrogenase activity among cultured bacteria. Trichodesmium aggregates are characterized by dynamic nutrient and oxygen regimes, which promote and maintain simultaneous and contiguous oxygenic photosynthesis and N₂ fixation. In part, the above-mentioned consortial interactions with a variety of heterotrophic bacteria facilitate Trichodesmium biomass production and bloom formation in nitrogen depleted, oligotrophic tropical/subtropical waters.     

Hydrogenosome-Methanogen Assemblages in the Echinoid Endocommensal Plagiopylid Ciliates,Lechriopyla mystax Lynch, 1930 and Plagiopyla minuta Powers, 19331

ABSTRACT. Lechriopyla mystax Lynch, 1930 and Plagiopyla minula Powers, 1933 contain hydrogenosome-methanogen assemblages similar to those reported for other plagiopylid ciliates. These assemblages are stacks of elongate ovoid hydrogenosomes alternating with methanogens; these stacks are surrounded by cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum that are often accompanied by Golgi complexes. The individual methanogens in the larger ciliate, L. mystax, are about four times the volume of those in the smaller ciliate, P. minuta, but both ciliates appear to contain Gram-negative methanococcoid bacteria, possibly Methanoplanus sp. The endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi complex probably plays a significant role in exploitation of the methanogens by the host ciliate.     

KINETICS OF EXTRACELLULAR RELEASE IN AXENIC ALGAE AND IN MIXED ALGAL-BACTERIAL CULTURES: SIGNIFICANCE IN ESTIMATION OF TOTAL (GROSS) PHYTOPLANKTON EXCRETION RATES1

In axenic Chlorella pyrenoidosa Chick cultures, extracellular release was linear with time, but plateau-type curves were obtained in cultures with added bacteria. Initial rates of excretion were identical in both, systems. Kinetics of extracellular release in axenic Anabaena flos-aquae (Lyng.) Bréb. cultures were more complex than in Chlorella but the initial excretion rates were identical in axenic and mixed algal-bacterial cultures. In lakewater, extracellular release kinetics resemble the pattern in mixed Chlorella-bacteria cultures. An explanation is an initial lag in bacterial utilization of algal extracellular products. As a result, both in situ and in the laboratory, consecutive short, experiments give higher excretion rates than single long incubations. It is suggested that the former are close to total or gross extracellular release rates whereas the latter give net values, detecting only substances not, removed by heterotrophs.     

SPECIFIC ASSOCIATIONS OF THE BLUEGREEN ALGAE ANABAENA AND APHANIZOMENON WITH BACTERIA IN FRESHWATER BLOOMS1

Scanning electron micrographs and autoradiographs of Anabaena circinalis Rabenh. and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (L.) Ralfs in samples from fresh-water communities show that bacteria are attached specifically at the polar region of heterocysts of these known N₂ fixers. This algal-bacterial association occurs most frequently during bloom conditions. The possible roles of this association in maintaining nuisance bloom conditions are discussed.     

HGT is widespread in insects and contributes to male courtship in lepidopterans

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Population dynamics,hunting nature on insect pests and existence of symbiotic bacterial microbes among leading transgenic cotton spiders

The genetically modified cotton holding Bt proteins, is noxious to bollworms larvae but very little is known about its impact on population of non-target spiders within the field. Studies conducted with the aim to identify spiders along with their abundance, prevalence pattern, preying habit on insect pests in Bt cotton (L280, Cry2Ab4) and commonness of symbiotic bacteria in these spiders. Spiders collections were made via vial tapping/jarring, from May to end of October (2018). In total, 13,342 spiders were recorded during the entire cropping season. Least relative abundance was in May (0.28%), highest in August (30.39%) while ahead decline was observed, reached to 12% in October. The 27 species were verified, least richness was in May (3 species), high in August (19 species), later in the end, reduced to 7 species. High abundance was of Hylyphantes graminicola (68.56%) and Neoscona theisi (19.98%). Existence of H. graminicola and Pardosa astrigera observed during the whole cropping season. Presence of seven guilds among spiders had a diverse nature of hunting insect pests and on number of species existed in the crop, maximum was from direct hunting habit. Composition and community structure of microbiota varied as of spider species. Proteobacteria was the most abundant bacterial phylum and topmost genus was Wolbachia in observed spiders. Five groups of bacteria distinguished across 4 clusters of spiders depending on core community of symbiotic bacterial genera. This effort is an initial step to get knowhow about spiders in Bt cotton, which will facilitate future research studies concerning spiders.     

Egg predation within the nests of social wasps: a new genus and species of Phlaeothripidae,and evolutionary consequences of Thysanoptera invasive behaviour

The insects known as thrips are commonly thought of as flower‐living and pestiferous organisms, but we report here a novel interaction between a phlaeothripine thrips species, Mirothrips arbiter gen. et sp. nov. and three species of social paper wasps in Brazil. This thrips species breeds inside the wasp colonies, and larval and adult thrips feed on wasp eggs, which become severely damaged. Infested nests can contain up to 300 M. arbiter gen. et sp. nov. individuals. The closest relatives of M. arbiter are two presumably predaceous species: Mirothrips bicolor sp. nov. , which inhabits abandoned Cecidomyiidae galls, and Mirothrips analis comb. nov. , described from individuals collected in the silken bags of the caterpillars of Psychidae moths. The behaviour exhibited by M. arbiter represents one of the most evolutionarily advanced lifestyles known among Thysanoptera, and we predict that other polistine species serve as hosts for this thrips in Brazil. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 109 , 332–341.