Multidimensional variability of the microbiome of an invasive ascidian species
Carles Galià-Camps,
Elena Baños,
Marta Pascual,
Carlos Carreras,
Xavier Turon
Affiliations
Carles Galià-Camps
Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Avinguda Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Corresponding author
Elena Baños
Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Avinguda Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Department of Marine Ecology, Centre d’Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Accés Cala Sant Francesc 14, 17300 Blanes, Catalonia, Spain
Marta Pascual
Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Avinguda Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Carlos Carreras
Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Avinguda Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Xavier Turon
Department of Marine Ecology, Centre d’Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Accés Cala Sant Francesc 14, 17300 Blanes, Catalonia, Spain
Summary: Animals, including invasive species, are complex entities consisting of a host and its associated symbionts (holobiont). The interaction between the holobiont components is crucial for the host’s survival. However, our understanding of how microbiomes of invasive species change across different tissues, localities, and ontogenetic stages, is limited. In the introduced ascidian Styela plicata, we found that its microbiome is highly distinct and specialized among compartments (tunic, gill, and gut). Smaller but significant differences were also found across harbors, suggesting local adaptation, and between juveniles and adults. Furthermore, we found a correlation between the microbiome and environmental trace element concentrations, especially in adults. Functional analyses showed that adult microbiomes possess specific metabolic pathways that may enhance fitness during the introduction process. These findings highlight the importance of integrated approaches in studying the interplay between animals and microbiomes, as a first step toward understanding how it can affect the species' invasive success.