Adaptable Defense: A Nudibranch Mucus Inhibits Nematocyst Discharge and Changes With Prey Type

Greenwood, Paul G.; Garry, Kyle; Hunter, April; Jennings, Miranda E.

doi:10.2307/1543542

Cited by 31 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Due to the loss of shell during their evolution, sea slugs need sophisticated chemical defence mechanisms for survival; the toxins they possess are a wide choice (Gunthorpe and Cameron 1987;Greenwood et al 2004). They could be produced de novo or taken up via prey diet.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Surprisingly, the cnidocysts do not harm the predators. Greenwood et al (2004) observed that the mucus of Aeolidia papillosa inhibits the discharge of nematocysts from different species of sea anemones. A unique feature is the ability of nudibranchs to annex intact cnidarian nematocysts, transferring these unfired kleptocnides as chemical weapons into their dorsal cerata.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Endobacteria in the tentacles of selected cnidarian species and in the cerata of their nudibranch predators

2011

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This is the first genetic analysis comparing cultured endobacteria discovered in the tentacles of cnidarian species (Tubularia indivisa, Tubularia larynx, Corymorpha nutans, Sagartia elegans) with those found in the cerata tips of selected nudibranch species (Berghia caerulescens, Coryphella lineata, Coryphella gracilis, Janolus cristatus, Polycera faeroensis, Polycera quadrilineata, Doto coronata, Dendronotus frondosus). Shared pathogenic activities were found among other microorganisms in the Pseudoalteromonas tetraodonis group (TTX), and the Vibrio splendidus group (haemolytic, septicaemic, necrotic activity). Specific autochthonous endobacteria of extremely low similarity to their next neighbours were detected in nudibranch cerata. These organisms are regarded as new and unknown endobacteria; among them were Pseudoalteromonas luteoviolacea (95%), Orientia tsutsugamushi (84%), Gracilimonas tropica (96%), Balneola alkaliphia (95%), Loktanella rosea (97%). SEM micrographs provide insight into endobacterial aggregates in cnidarian tentacles and nudibranch cerata. Since certain nudibranch predators prey on cnidarian species, it is assumed that cnidarian tentacle bacteria are directly transferred to nudibranch cerata. The pathogenic endobacteria may contribute to the chemical defence of both the nudibranch and cnidarian species investigated.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Endobacteria in the tentacles of selected cnidarian species and in the cerata of their nudibranch predators

2011

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“…When the prey was changed to another anemone species, the nudibranch mucus also changed within 2 wk to inhibit the nematocyst discharge by the new prey species. Greenwood et al (2004) noted that sea anemones do not sting themselves or clone-mates and hypothesised that they may produce compounds which prevent nematocyst discharge that are yet to be identified. It is interesting to note that some of the most aggressive corals on Indo-Pacific reefs are among the most copious mucus producers.…”

Section: Defence Against Space Invasion By Other Coralsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is clear that the exact nature of stimuli involved in competitive interactions between corals remains elusive. Recent work with nudibranch molluscs (Greenwood et al 2004) has shown that they are capable of producing mucus which inhibits nematocyst discharge from anemone prey. When the prey was changed to another anemone species, the nudibranch mucus also changed within 2 wk to inhibit the nematocyst discharge by the new prey species.…”

Section: Defence Against Space Invasion By Other Coralsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perspectives on mucus secretion in reef corals

Brown¹,

Bythell²

2005

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

413

394

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The coral surface mucus layer provides a vital interface between the coral epithelium and the seawater environment and mucus acts in defence against a wide range of environmental stresses, in ciliary-mucus feeding and in sediment cleansing, amongst other roles. However, we know surprisingly little about the in situ physical and chemical properties of the layer, or its dynamics of formation. We review the nature of coral mucus and its derivation and outline the wide array of roles that are proposed for mucus secretion in corals. Finally, we review models of the surface mucus layer formation. We argue that at any one time, different types of mucus secretions may be produced at different sites within the coral colony and that mucus layers secreted by the coral may not be single homogeneous layers but consist of separate layers with different properties. This requires a much more dynamic view of mucus than has been considered before and has important implications, not least for bacterial colonisation. Understanding the formation and dynamics of the surface mucus layer under different environmental conditions is critical to understanding a wide range of associated ecological processes. KEY WORDS:Mucin · Mucopolysaccharide · Coral surface microlayer · CSM · Surface mucopolysaccharide layer · SML Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisherMar Ecol Prog Ser 296: [291][292][293][294][295][296][297][298][299][300][301][302][303][304][305][306][307][308][309] 2005 We feel that it is time that the study of mucus was revisited for at least 3 reasons. Firstly, mucus plays an important part in coral disease which has been responsible for significant coral mortality, particularly in the Caribbean (Porter et al. 2001) and more recently in the Indo-Pacific provinces (Sutherland et al. 2004). In this context mucus may function both as a protective physicochemical barrier (Peters 1997, Santavy & Peters 1997, Hayes & Goreau 1998, Sutherland et al. 2004) and as a growth medium for bacteria, including potential pathogens (Ducklow & Mitchell 1979b, Rublee et al. 1980, Toren et al. 1998, Banin et al. 2001, Lipp et al. 2002. But what do we actually know about the dynamics of the in situ mucus layer or its physico-chemical properties that might influence bacterial entrainment, growth or inhibition? Apparently we know very little. Even the most fundamental measure, the rate of mucus production, is extremely difficult to assess and is poorly defined in the literature. When, for example, authors report increased mucus production rates due to environmental stress, is this actually an increase in synthesis or merely an increase in the release of stored mucus?Secondly, coral algal symbionts play an important role in governing the composition of mucus, with 20 to 45% of daily net photosynthate being released as mucus and dissolved organic carbon (Davies 1984, Crossland 1987, Bythell 1988, Edmunds & Davies 1989. It follows then that during bleaching, when densities of algal symbionts are significant...

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“…Mucus has also been recognized as an inhibitor of nematocyst discharge in sea anemone and clownfish interaction (Lubbock 1979) and in sea anemone and nudibranch interaction (Mauch and Elliott 1997;Greenwood et al 2004). Mucin, or a similar prey-produced molecule, could be used at one set of concentrations to act as a nematocystsensitizing agent, and, at higher concentrations, as an inhibitor, which might contribute to the feeding-satiety control mechanisms in hydra ( Thorington and Hessinger 1988;Scappaticci et al 2010).…”

Section: Proteinsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nematocytes’ activation in Pelagia noctiluca (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa) oral arms

Morabito

Marino²,

Spada³

2012

J Comp Physiol A

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Nematocytes' discharge is triggered to perform both defense and predation strategies in cnidarians and occurs under chemico-physical stimulation. In this study, different compounds such as amino acids and proteins (mucin, albumin, poly-L: -lysine, trypsin), sugars and N-acetylate sugars (N-acetyl neuraminic acid, N-acetyl galactosamine, sucrose, glucose, agarose and trehalose), nucleotides (ATP and cAMP), were tested as chemosensitizers of nematocyte discharge in the oral arms of the scyphozoan Pelagia noctiluca, particularly abundant in the Strait of Messina (Italy). Excised oral arms were submitted to a combined chemico-physical stimulation by treatment with different compounds followed by mechanical stimulation by a non-vibrating test probe. Discharge induced by a chemico-physical stimulation was more significant than that obtained after mechanical stimulation alone. A chemosensitizing mechanism, with a dose-dependent effect, was observed after treatment with sugars, amino compounds such as glutathione, nucleotides and mucin, according to that already seen in sea anemones. Such findings suggest that, though Anthozoa and Scyphozoa exhibit different divergence times during the evolutionary process, the discharge activation exhibits common features, probably derived from their last common ancestor.

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Adaptable Defense: A Nudibranch Mucus Inhibits Nematocyst Discharge and Changes With Prey Type

Cited by 31 publications

References 24 publications

Endobacteria in the tentacles of selected cnidarian species and in the cerata of their nudibranch predators

Endobacteria in the tentacles of selected cnidarian species and in the cerata of their nudibranch predators

Perspectives on mucus secretion in reef corals

Nematocytes’ activation in Pelagia noctiluca (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa) oral arms

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