Environmental distribution of coral-associated relatives of apicomplexan parasites

Janouškovec, Jan; Horák, Aleš; Barott, Katie L.; Rohwer, Forest; Keeling, Patrick J.

doi:10.1038/ismej.2012.129

Cited by 51 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Previous 16S studies of corals have shown that coral symbionts such as Symbiodinium dinoflagellates48 are present within the coral tissue (mesenteries) for at least part of their life cycle, as do the apicomplexan parasites/Chromerida4950, but these cells are not present in the calcium carbonate skeleton.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eukaryotic Life Inhabits Rhodolith-forming Coralline Algae (Hapalidiales, Rhodophyta), Remarkable Marine Benthic Microhabitats

Krayesky-Self

Schmidt

Phung

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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Rhodoliths are benthic calcium carbonate nodules accreted by crustose coralline red algae which recently have been identified as useful indicators of biomineral changes resulting from global climate change and ocean acidification. This study highlights the discovery that the interior of rhodoliths are marine biodiversity hotspots that function as seedbanks and temporary reservoirs of previously unknown stages in the life history of ecologically important dinoflagellate and haptophyte microalgae. Whereas the studied rhodoliths originated from offshore deep bank pinnacles in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico, the present study opens the door to assess the universality of endolithic stages among bloom-forming microalgae spanning different phyla, some of public health concerns (Prorocentrum) in marine ecosystems worldwide.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eukaryotic Life Inhabits Rhodolith-forming Coralline Algae (Hapalidiales, Rhodophyta), Remarkable Marine Benthic Microhabitats

Krayesky-Self

Schmidt

Phung

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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“…Bacterial community assays are known to recover rRNA gene sequences that do not represent extant bacteria but rDNA copies encoded by chloroplast DNA of eukaryotes with chloroplasts or non-photosynthetic plastids [15,16]. Within Bac1 data, we recovered chloroplast/plastid small-subunit rRNA gene belonging to an apicomplexan clade ARL-V clade [15,16] in all 4 coral DNA (abundance 0.3%, 3.7%, 0.2% and 1.0% in sequences from A .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Within Bac1 data, we recovered chloroplast/plastid small-subunit rRNA gene belonging to an apicomplexan clade ARL-V clade [15,16] in all 4 coral DNA (abundance 0.3%, 3.7%, 0.2% and 1.0% in sequences from A . palifera 42a, M .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Combined Amplicon Pyrosequencing Assays Reveal Presence of the Apicomplexan “type-N” (cf. Gemmocystis cylindrus) and Chromera velia on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Šlapeta

Linares

2013

PLoS ONE

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BackgroundThe coral is predominantly composed of the metabolically dependent coral host and the photosynthetic dinoflagellate Symbiodinium sp. The system as a whole interacts with symbiotic eukaryotes, bacteria and viruses. Gemmocystiscylindrus (cf. “type-N” symbiont) belonging to the obligatory parasitic phylum Apicomplexa (Alveolata) is ubiquitous in the Caribbean coral, but its presence in the Great Barrier Reef coral has yet to be documented. Approaches allowing identification of the healthy community from the pathogenic or saprobic organisms are needed for sustainable coral reef monitoring.Methods & Principal FindingsWe investigated the diversity of eukaryotes associated with a common reef-building corals from the southern Great Barrier Reef. We used three tag encoded 454 amplicon pyrosequencing assays targeting eukaryote small-subunit rRNA gene to demonstrate the presence of the apicomplexan type-N and a photosynthetic sister species to Apicomplexa - Chromera velia . Amplicon pyrosequencing revealed presence of the small-subunit rRNA genes of known eukaryotic pathogens ( Cryptosporidium and Cryptococcus ). We therefore conducted bacterial tag encoded amplicon pyrosequencing assay for small-subunit rRNA gene to support effluent exposure of the coral. Bacteria of faecal origin (Enterobacteriales) formed 41% of total sequences in contrast to 0-2% of the coral-associated bacterial communities with and without C . velia , respectively.SignificanceThis is the first time apicomplexan type-N has been detected in the Great Barrier Reef. Eukaryote tag encoded amplicon pyrosequencing assays demonstrate presence of apicomplexan type-N and C. Velia in total coral DNA. The data highlight the need for combined approaches for eukaryotic diversity studies coupled with bacterial community assessment to achieve a more realistic goals of defining the holobiont community and assessing coral disease. With increasing evidence of Apicomplexa in coral reef environments, it is important not only to understand the evolution of these organisms but also identify their potential as pathogens.

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“…Chromera velia has been isolated from and detected in coral tissue and has been experimentally demonstrated to infect coral larvae (Moore et al ., ; Cumbo et al ., ; Janouškovec et al ., ; Šlapeta & Linares, ). The coral holobiont is a nutrient‐rich system involving complex interactions between the predominant coral host and symbiotic zooxanthellae partners together with a poorly defined milieu of associated microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and eukaryotes, including C. velia (Bourne et al ., ; Janouškovec et al ., ). Chromera velia occupies a significant phylogenetic position as an evolutionary link between dinoflagellates and apicomplexans.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increased growth and pigment content ofChromera veliain mixotrophic culture

Foster

Portman

Chen

et al. 2014

FEMS Microbiol Ecol

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The alveolate microalga Chromera velia is an evolutionarily significant organism, representing the closest photosynthetic relative of the parasitic Apicomplexa. Chromera velia has been detected in and isolated from several stony corals and can be readily cultured in vitro under strictly autotrophic conditions. However, little is known about the ecology of this organism in the coral holobiont, an environment in which it could potentially access abundant organic carbon sources. To understand the response of C. velia to ecologically relevant organic compounds in vitro, we tested a mixotrophic culture strategy by supplementing inorganic f-medium with sugars, sugar-alcohols, organic acids and amino acids. For 15 of the 18 tested growth media, culture growth rate was significantly higher than that of strictly autotrophic cultures, and in three of these, a significant increase in maximum culture density was observed. In cultures supplemented with glutamate or glycine, the chlorophyll content per cell was up to 11-fold higher than cultures grown in standard inorganic media. Together, the in vitro culture growth and pigment responses demonstrate an ability to respond to nutritional resources when available. We propose that C. velia is a facultative opportunist in environments similarly enriched in such organic compounds, such as the coral holobiont.

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Environmental distribution of coral-associated relatives of apicomplexan parasites

Cited by 51 publications

References 21 publications

Eukaryotic Life Inhabits Rhodolith-forming Coralline Algae (Hapalidiales, Rhodophyta), Remarkable Marine Benthic Microhabitats

Eukaryotic Life Inhabits Rhodolith-forming Coralline Algae (Hapalidiales, Rhodophyta), Remarkable Marine Benthic Microhabitats

Combined Amplicon Pyrosequencing Assays Reveal Presence of the Apicomplexan “type-N” (cf. Gemmocystis cylindrus) and Chromera velia on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Increased growth and pigment content ofChromera veliain mixotrophic culture

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