Biology subjects

Vishnyakov, A. E.

Publications and source records attributed to Vishnyakov, A. E..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Novel "Candidatus Endobugula" hosts and distinct microbiomes in the bryozoans from the White Sea

Marine bryozoans harbor diverse microbial communities, but not much is known about specificity of bacterial symbionts towards different hosts. We identified potential symbionts and described overall microbial communities of three marine bryozoans, Aquiloniella scabra, Rhamphostomella bilaminata (Gymnolaemata: Cheilostomatida), and Patinella verrucaria (Stenolaemata: Cyclostomatida), revealing that each species maintains a distinct microbial assemblage that differs both from the surrounding environmental microbiome and from other hosts. Previously, the bryostatin-producing gammaproteobacterial genus "Candidatus Endobugula" was known from only two bryozoan species in the family Bugulidae. Here, we report its first detection in two more cheilostome bryozoans, A. scabra and R. bilaminata, expanding its known host range to two more families.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2026

A parasitic flagellate among the Nucleariae: a new perspective on the phylogeny of Holomycota (Opisthokonta)

Holomycota, together with Holozoa, represents one of the two main branches of the supergroup Opisthokonta. Fungi, as well as three basal protist lineages Nuclearida, Rosellida, and Aphelida belong to Holomycota. Surprisingly, among all these holomycotan groups, only the most basal lineage, Nuclearida, lacks any traces of flagella in its life cycle and is represented by free-living amoebae, in contrast to the obligately parasitic and flagellated Rosellida and Aphelida, which evolved later. As the earliest-branching lineage, nucleariids play a key role in understanding the origin and diversification of Opisthokonta, which is presumed to have evolved from a uniflagellated ancestor. In this study, we describe the first known nucleariid that is parasitic on algae and possesses a flagellated stage in its life cycle. We studied the life cycle, and showed the ultrastructure of main life cycle stages of this parasite. The multigene phylogenetic tree based on the newly sequenced transcriptome demonstrated its basal position among nucleariids, forming a clade of environmental OTUs. This finding together with unique ultrastructural features, parasitic style of life, and presence of flagellum allowed us to describe a new species, genus, and family in the order Nuclearidida. We emended the diagnoses of the order, class, and phylum Nuclearida. Based on the ribosomal phylogenetic tree where the Insolitus nuclearius has a basal position among the nucleariids we discussed the evolution of this group from the uniflagellated ancestor and provided new insights into the early evolution of Holomycota in a whole, revising hypotheses regarding the opisthokont ancestor.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Seasonal dynamics of a complex cheilostome bryozoan symbiosis - vertical transfer challenged

Symbiotic associations are dynamic systems influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Here we describe for the first time the developmental and seasonal changes of the funicular bodies in the bryozoan Dendrobeania fruticosa, which are unique temporary organs of cheilostome bryozoans containing prokaryotic symbionts. Histological and ultrastructural studies showed that these organs undergo strong seasonal modification in the White Sea during the ice-free period. Initially (in June) they play a trophic function and support the development of a large population of bacteria. From June to September, both funicular bodies and bacteria show signs of degradation accompanied by development of presumed virus-like particles (VLPs); these self-organize to hollow spheres inside bacteria and are also detected outside of them. Although the destruction of bacteria coincides with the development of VLPs and spheres, the general picture differs considerably from the known instances of bacteriophagy in bryozoans. We broadly discuss potential routes of bacterial infection in Bryozoa and question the hypothesis of vertical transfer, which, although popular in the literature, is contradicted by molecular, morphological and ecological evidence.

zoology↗

bioRxiv2020

First evidence of virus-like particles in the bacterial symbionts of Bryozoa

Bacteriophage communities associated with humans and vertebrate animals have been extensively studied, but the data on phages living in invertebrates remain scarce. In fact, they have never been reported for most animal phyla. Our ultrastructural study showed for the first time a variety of virus-like particles (VLPs) and supposed virus-related structures inside symbiotic bacteria in two marine species from the phylum Bryozoa, the cheilostomes Bugula neritina and Paralicornia sinuosa. We also documented the effect of VLPs on bacterial hosts: we explain different bacterial ultrastructural types detected in bryozoan tissues as stages in the gradual destruction of prokaryotic cells caused by viral multiplication during the lytic cycle. We speculate that viruses destroying bacteria regulate symbiont numbers in the bryozoan hosts, a phenomenon known in some insects. We develop two hypotheses explaining exo- and endogenous circulation of the viruses during the life-cycle of B. neritina. Finally, we compare unusual sea-urchin-like structures found in the collapsed bacteria in P. sinuosa with so-called metamorphosis associated complexes (MACs) known to trigger larval metamorphosis in a polychaete worm. ImportanceComplex symbiotic systems, including metazoan hosts, their bacterial symbionts and bacteriophages are widely studied using vertebrate models whereas much less is known about invertebrates. Our ultrastructural research revealed replication of the viruses and/or activation of virus related elements in the bacterial symbionts inhabiting tissues of the marine colonial invertebrates (phylum Bryozoa). The virus activity in the bacterial cells that are believed to be transmitted exclusively vertically is of a special importance. In addition, in the bacterial symbionts of one of the bryozoan hosts we observed the massive replication of the structures seemingly related to the Metamorphosis associated complexes (MAC). To our knowledge, MACs were never reported in the animal prokaryotic symbionts. Our findings indicate that Bryozoa may be new suitable model to study the role of bacteriophages and phage-related structures in the complex symbiotic systems hosted by marine invertebrates.

microbiology↗