Feeding ecology of Xenoturbella bocki (phylum Xenoturbellida) revealed by genetic barcoding

Bourlat, Sarah (author)

Nakano, Hiroaki, 1977 (author): Gothenburg University,Göteborgs universitet,Institutionen för marin ekologi,Department of Marine Ecology

Akerman, M. (author)

Telford, M. J. (author)

Thorndyke, Michael C., 1946 (author): Gothenburg University,Göteborgs universitet,Institutionen för marin ekologi,Department of Marine Ecology

Obst, Matthias, 1974 (author): Gothenburg University,Göteborgs universitet,Zoologiska institutionen,Department of Zoology

(creator_code:org_t)

Related links:: https://gup.ub.gu.se...; show more...; https://doi.org/10.1...; https://gup.ub.gu.se...; show less...

Abstract Subject headings

The benthic marine worm Xenoturbella is frequently contaminated with molluscan DNA, which had earlier caused confusion resulting in a suggested bivalve relationship. In order to find the source of the contaminant, we have used molluscan sequences derived from Xenoturbella and compared them to barcodes obtained from several individuals of the nonmicroscopic molluscs sharing the same environment as Xenoturbella. Using cytochrome oxidase 1, we found the contaminating sequences to be 98% similar to the bivalve Ennucula tenuis. Using the highly variable D1-D2 region of the large ribosomal subunit in Xenoturbella, we found three distinct species of contaminating molluscs, one of which is 99% similar to the bivalve Abra nitida, one of the most abundant bivalves in the Gullmarsfjord where Xenoturbella was found, and another 99% similar to the bivalve Nucula sulcata. These data clearly show that Xenoturbella only contains molluscan DNA originating from bivalves living in the same environment, refuting former hypotheses of a bivalve relationship. In addition, these data suggest that Xenoturbella feeds specifically on bivalve prey from multiple species, possibly in the form of eggs and larvae.

NATURVETENSKAP -- Biologi -- Zoologi (hsv//swe)
NATURAL SCIENCES -- Biological Sciences -- Zoology (hsv//eng)
NATURVETENSKAP -- Biologi -- Genetik (hsv//swe)
NATURAL SCIENCES -- Biological Sciences -- Genetics (hsv//eng)
NATURVETENSKAP -- Biologi (hsv//swe)
NATURAL SCIENCES -- Biological Sciences (hsv//eng)
NATURVETENSKAP -- Biologi -- Biologisk systematik (hsv//swe)
NATURAL SCIENCES -- Biological Sciences -- Biological Systematics (hsv//eng)
NATURVETENSKAP -- Biologi -- Ekologi (hsv//swe)
NATURAL SCIENCES -- Biological Sciences -- Ecology (hsv//eng)
NATURVETENSKAP -- Biologi -- Bioinformatik och systembiologi (hsv//swe)
NATURAL SCIENCES -- Biological Sciences -- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology (hsv//eng)

By the author/editor: Bourlat, Sarah; Nakano, Hiroaki, ...; Akerman, M.; Telford, M. J.; Thorndyke, Micha ...; Obst, Matthias, ...

About the subject

NATURAL SCIENCES: NATURAL SCIENCES; and Biological Scien ...; and Biological Syste ...

NATURAL SCIENCES: NATURAL SCIENCES; and Biological Scien ...; and Bioinformatics a ...

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