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Potent cytotoxins produced by a microbial symbiont protect host larvae from predation

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Abstract

Larvae of the sessile marine invertebrate Bugula neritina (Bryozoa) are protected by an effective chemical defense. From the larvae, we isolated three bryostatin-class macrocyclic polyketides, including the novel bryostatin 20, that deterred feeding by a common planktivorous fish that co-occurs with B. neritina. A unique bacterial symbiont of B. neritina, Endobugula sertula, was hypothesized as the putative source of the bryostatins. We show that: (1) bryostatins are concentrated in B. neritina larvae and protect them against predation by fish; (2) the adults are not defended by bryostatins; and (3) E. sertula produces bryostatins. This study represents the first example from the marine environment of a microbial symbiont producing an anti-predator defense for its host and, in this case, specifically for the host’s larval stage, which is exceptionally vulnerable to predators.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Barb Campbell, Kathy Coyne, Lisa Waidner, and Jon McLaughlin for their help with the molecular portions of this project. We are grateful for collection support provided by Channing Jones, Jeremy Weisz, and Glenn Safrit. Sigma Xi Grants in Aid of Research to N.B.L. and SG project R/F-9 to N.M.T funded portions of this project. We would like to thank two anonymous reviewers for comments that substantially improved the manuscript.

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  1. Nicole Lopanik

    Present address: Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate College of Marine Studies, University of Delaware, Lewes, DE 19958, USA

    Nicole Lopanik & Nancy Targett

  2. Institute of Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Morehead City, NC 28557, USA

    Niels Lindquist

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  1. Nicole Lopanik
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Correspondence to Nicole Lopanik.

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Lopanik, N., Lindquist, N. & Targett, N. Potent cytotoxins produced by a microbial symbiont protect host larvae from predation. Oecologia 139, 131–139 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-004-1487-5

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