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Novel forms of structural integration between microbes and a hydrothermal vent gastropod from the Indian Ocean.

ABSTRACT: Here we describe novel forms of structural integration between endo- and episymbiotic microbes and an unusual new species of snail from hydrothermal vents in the Indian Ocean. The snail houses a dense population of gamma-proteobacteria within the cells of its greatly enlarged esophageal gland. This tissue setting differs from that of all other vent mollusks, which harbor sulfur-oxidizing endosymbionts in their gills. The significantly reduced digestive tract, the isotopic signatures of the snail tissues, and the presence of internal bacteria suggest a dependence on chemoautotrophy for nutrition. Most notably, this snail is unique in having a dense coat of mineralized scales covering the sides of its foot, a feature seen in no other living metazoan. The scales are coated with iron sulfides (pyrite and greigite) and heavily colonized by epsilon- and delta-proteobacteria, likely participating in mineralization of the sclerites. This novel metazoan-microbial collaboration illustrates the great potential of organismal adaptation in chemically and physically challenging deep-sea environments.

SUBMITTER: Goffredi SK

PROVIDER: S-EPMC404406 | biostudies-literature | 2004 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Novel forms of structural integration between microbes and a hydrothermal vent gastropod from the Indian Ocean.

Goffredi Shana K SK Warén Anders A Orphan Victoria J VJ Van Dover Cindy L CL Vrijenhoek Robert C RC

Applied and environmental microbiology 20040501 5

Here we describe novel forms of structural integration between endo- and episymbiotic microbes and an unusual new species of snail from hydrothermal vents in the Indian Ocean. The snail houses a dense population of gamma-proteobacteria within the cells of its greatly enlarged esophageal gland. This tissue setting differs from that of all other vent mollusks, which harbor sulfur-oxidizing endosymbionts in their gills. The significantly reduced digestive tract, the isotopic signatures of the snail ...[more]

PMID: 15128570

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Novel forms of structural integration between microbes and a hydrothermal vent gastropod from the Indian Ocean.

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Novel forms of structural integration between microbes and a hydrothermal vent gastropod from the Indian Ocean.

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