1997/05/01 by William J. Burnett, J. Douglas McKenzie · 3 citations
Environmental Science · Earth and Planetary Sciences · #Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies #Marine Biology and Ecology Research #Marine and coastal plant biology
paper · pdf · doi:10.1128/aem.63.5.1721-1724.1997
openalex publication_date 1997/05/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
Many species of echinoderms, in all five extant classes, contain subcuticular bacterial symbionts (SCB). The role of these extracellular symbionts and the nature of the relationship remain unclear. We have sequenced 16S rRNA genes from symbionts to determine their phylogenetic affinities. Symbionts of an ophiuroid, Ophiactis balli, appear closely related to bacteria within the alpha group of the class Proteobacteria, including intracellular endosymbionts and pathogens. SCB are clearly of separate origin from other documented major groups of marine symbiotic bacteria.