Potent cytotoxins produced by a microbial symbiont protect host larvae from predation
In: Oecologia. Springer: Heidelberg; Berlin. ISSN 0029-8549; e-ISSN 1432-1939, more
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| Keywords |
Bugula neritina (Linnaeus, 1758) [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal |
| Authors | | Top |
- Lopanik, N.
- Lindquist, N.
- Targett, N.
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| Abstract |
Larvae of the sessile marine invertebrate Bugula neritina (Bryozoa) are protected by an effective chemical defense. From the larvae, we isolated three bryostatin-class macrocyclic polyketides, including the novel bryostatin 20, that deterred feeding by a common planktivorous fish that co-occurs with B. neritina. A unique bacterial symbiont of B. neritina, Endobugula sertula, was hypothesized as the putative source of the bryostatins. We show that: (1) bryostatins are concentrated in B. neritina larvae and protect them against predation by fish; (2) the adults are not defended by bryostatins; and (3) E. sertula produces bryostatins. This study represents the first example from the marine environment of a microbial symbiont producing an anti-predator defense for its host and, in this case, specifically for the host’s larval stage, which is exceptionally vulnerable to predators. |
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