Abstract
The oligochaete Grania sp. is a common inhabitant of Artigas Beach at Maxwell Bay (King George Island, South Shetland Islands, Maritime Antarctica) that proliferate during the summer season and feed on debris of red and brown algae. This investigation was undertaken to test the hypothesis that Grania sp. has an enzyme-producing microbiota that may facilitate the worm’s nutrient uptake by processing or metabolizing macroalgae compounds. A culture-based approach was used to investigate the occurrence of microorganisms able to degrade proteins, lipids and polysaccharides. Thirty-four hydrolytic enzyme-producing microorganisms associated with these worms, including bacteria and yeasts, were isolated and identified by sequencing a partial fragment of the 16S and 26S rDNA genes, respectively. These microorganisms have the ability to produce extracellular proteases, esterases, amylases, cellulases and agarases. The microbial genera found during this work (Flavobacterium, Pseudomonas, Salinibacterium, Psychrobacter, Cystobasidium and Rhodotorula) have been previously described in association with red and brown Antarctic algae. Our results suggest that this microbiome has a digestive capability that may assist Grania sp. in metabolizing nutrients from algae, leading us to consider the possibility of a mutualistic relationship between them. The association between the worm Grania sp. and a cold-active hydrolyzing microbiota may contribute to the macroalgae decomposition and nutrient recycling in the Antarctic ecosystem.
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Acknowledgments
This work was partially supported by PEDECIBA (Programa de Desarrollo de las Ciencias Básicas) and ANII (Agencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovación) (FSE_1_2104_1_102649). The work of LMH and JJM was supported by ANII. The authors thank the Uruguayan Antarctic Institute for the logistic support during the stay in the Artigas Base. We also thank Vivian Irving and Nicolás Boullosa for their assistance in collecting worms and isolating microorganisms. S. Castro-Sowinski is a member of the National Research System (SNI, Sistema Nacional de Investigadores).
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Lorena M. Herrera and César X. García-Laviña have contributed equally to this work.
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Herrera, L.M., García-Laviña, C.X., Marizcurrena, J.J. et al. Hydrolytic enzyme-producing microbes in the Antarctic oligochaete Grania sp. (Annelida). Polar Biol 40, 947–953 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-016-2012-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-016-2012-0