title: Structure of Manila Clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) Microbiota at the Organ Scale in Contrasting Sets of Individuals.
abstract: Marine invertebrate microbiota has a key function in host physiology and health. To date, knowledge about bivalve microbiota is poorly documented except public health concerns. This study used a molecular approach to characterize the microbiota associated with the bivalve Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) by determining (1) the difference among organs either or not under the influence of host habitat, (2) small-scale variability of microbiota, and (3) the experimental response of the Manila clam microbiota submitted to different lateral transmissions. These questions were investigated by sampling two groups of individuals living in contrasting habitats and carrying out a transplant experiment. Manila clam microbiota (i.e., bacterial community structure) was determined at organ-scale (gills, gut, and a pool of remaining tissues) by capillary electrophoresis DNA fingerprinting (CE fingerprinting). The Manila clam microbiota structure differed among organs indicating a selection of Manila clam microbiota at organ scale. Habitat strongly influenced gill and gut microbiota. In contrast, microbiota associated with remaining tissues was similar between group individuals suggesting that these communities are mostly autochthonous, i.e., Manila clam specific. Transplant experiment showed that improving living condition did not induce any change in microbiota associated with remaining tissues. In contrast, the reduction in individual habitat quality led to individuals in declining health as strongly suggested by the increase in phagocytosis activity and decrease in condition index together with the change in internal organ microbiota. This study provides a first description of the Manila clam holobiont which can withstand disturbance and respond opportunistically to improved environmental conditions.
authors: Université de Bordeaux, UMR 5805 EPOC, F-33120, Arcachon, France. guillaume.meisterhans@hotmail.fr.|CNRS, UMR 5805 EPOC, F-33120, Arcachon, France. guillaume.meisterhans@hotmail.fr.|Freshwater Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N6, Canada. guillaume.meisterhans@hotmail.fr.
authors: Guillaume
authors: G
authors: Meisterhans
authors: Université de Bordeaux, UMR 5805 EPOC, F-33120, Arcachon, France.|CNRS, UMR 5805 EPOC, F-33120, Arcachon, France.
authors: Natalie
authors: N
authors: Raymond
authors: Université de Bordeaux, UMR 5805 EPOC, F-33120, Arcachon, France.|CNRS, UMR 5805 EPOC, F-33120, Arcachon, France.
authors: Emilie
authors: E
authors: Girault
authors: LEMAR UMR 6539, Unité Mixte UBO/CNRS/IFREMER/IRD, IUEM, Place Nicolas Copernic, F-29280, Plouzané, France.
authors: Christophe
authors: C
authors: Lambert
authors: Université de Bordeaux, UMR 5805 EPOC, F-33120, Arcachon, France.|CNRS, UMR 5805 EPOC, F-33120, Arcachon, France.
authors: Line
authors: L
authors: Bourrasseau
authors: Université de Bordeaux, UMR 5805 EPOC, F-33120, Arcachon, France.|CNRS, UMR 5805 EPOC, F-33120, Arcachon, France.
authors: Xavier
authors: X
authors: de Montaudouin
authors: Université de Bordeaux, UMR 5805 EPOC, F-33120, Arcachon, France.|CNRS, UMR 5805 EPOC, F-33120, Arcachon, France.
authors: Frédéric
authors: F
authors: Garabetian
authors: Université de Bordeaux, UMR 5805 EPOC, F-33120, Arcachon, France.|CNRS, UMR 5805 EPOC, F-33120, Arcachon, France.
authors: Florence
authors: F
authors: Jude-Lemeilleur
mesh_terms: D000825:Animal Structures / Q000382:microbiology*; D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000382:microbiology*; D064307:Microbiota; D012758:Shellfish / Q000382:microbiology*
keywords: Bivalve microbial communities; Clam associated bacteria; Transplant experiment