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Genetic Diversity And Potential Function Of Microbial Symbionts Associated With Newly Discovered Species Of Osedax Polychaete Worms, Shana K. Goffredi, Shannon B. Johnson, Robert C. Vrijenhoek
Genetic Diversity And Potential Function Of Microbial Symbionts Associated With Newly Discovered Species Of Osedax Polychaete Worms, Shana K. Goffredi, Shannon B. Johnson, Robert C. Vrijenhoek
Shana Goffredi
We investigated the genetic diversity of symbiotic bacteria associated with two newly discovered species of Osedax from Monterey Canyon, CA, at 1,017-m (Osedax Monterey Bay sp. 3 “rosy” [Osedax sp. MB3]) and 381-m (Osedax Monterey Bay sp. 4 “yellow collar”) depths. Quantitative PCR and clone libraries of 16S rRNA gene sequences identified differences in the compositions and abundances of bacterial phylotypes associated with the newly discovered host species and permitted comparisons between adult Osedax frankpressi and juveniles that had recently colonized whalebones implanted at 2,891 m. The newly discovered Osedax species hosted Oceanospirillales symbionts that are related to Gammaproteobacteria associated …
Evolutionary Innovation: A Bone-Eating Marine Symbiosis, Shana K. Goffredi, Victoria J. Orphan, Greg W. Rouse, Linda Jahnke, Tsegeria Embaye, Kendra Turk, Ray Lee, Robert C. Vrijenhoek
Evolutionary Innovation: A Bone-Eating Marine Symbiosis, Shana K. Goffredi, Victoria J. Orphan, Greg W. Rouse, Linda Jahnke, Tsegeria Embaye, Kendra Turk, Ray Lee, Robert C. Vrijenhoek
Shana Goffredi
Symbiotic associations between microbes and invertebrates have resulted in some of the most unusual physiological and morphological adaptations that have evolved in the animal world. We document a new symbiosis between marine polychaetes of the genus Osedax and members of the bacterial group Oceanospirillales, known for heterotrophic degradation of complex organic compounds. These organisms were discovered living on the carcass of a grey whale at 2891 m depth in Monterey Canyon, off the coast of California. The mouthless and gutless worms are unique in their morphological specializations used to obtain nutrition from decomposing mammalian bones. Adult worms possess elaborate posterior …