Novel “ Candidatus Endobugula” hosts and distinct microbiomes in the bryozoans from the White Sea
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Marine bryozoans harbor diverse microbial communities, but not much is known about specificity of bacterial symbionts towards different hosts. We identified potential symbionts and described overall microbial communities of three marine bryozoans, Aquiloniella scabra, Rhamphostomella bilaminata (Gymnolaemata: Cheilostomatida), and Patinella verrucaria (Stenolaemata: Cyclostomatida), revealing that each species maintains a distinct microbial assemblage that differs both from the surrounding environmental microbiome and from other hosts. Previously, the bryostatin-producing gammaproteobacterial genus “ Candidatus Endobugula” was known from only two bryozoan species in the family Bugulidae. Here, we report its first detection in two more cheilostome bryozoans, A. scabra and R. bilaminata , expanding its known host range to two more families.
Language: English
Subfield: Biotechnology
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Life below water
Open Access status: green
Awards: G3939176750, G5862631173
OpenAlex ID: W7213452079