10.5061/DRYAD.R84N5
Thornhill, Daniel J.
Auburn University
Xiang, Yu
Auburn University
Zhong, Min
Auburn University
Santos, Scott R.
Auburn University
Pettay, D. Tye
University of Delaware
Data from: Population genetic data of a model symbiotic cnidarian system
reveal remarkable symbiotic specificity and vectored introductions across
ocean basins
Dryad
dataset
2013
Aiptasia pulchella
Symbiodinium minutum
Symbiosis
specificity
symbiont
Aiptasia pallida
2013-08-30T15:54:11Z
2013-08-30T15:54:11Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.12416
95386 bytes
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CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
The Aiptasia-Symbiodinium symbiosis is a promising model for experimental
studies of cnidarian-dinoflagellate associations, yet relatively little is
known regarding the genetic diversity of either symbiotic partner. To
address this we collected Aiptasia from 17 localities throughout the world
and examined the genetic diversity of both anemones and their
endosymbionts. Based on newly-developed SCAR markers, Aiptasia consisted
of two genetically-distinct populations, one Aiptasia lineage from Florida
and a second network of Aiptasia genotypes found at other localities.
These populations did not conform to the distributions of described
Aiptasia species, suggesting that taxonomic re-evaluation is needed in
light of molecular genetics. Associations with Symbiodinium further
demonstrated the distinctions among Aiptasia populations. According to
18S-RFLP, ITS2-DGGE, and microsatellite flanker region sequencing, Florida
anemones engaged in diverse symbioses predominantly with members of
Symbiodinium Clades A and B, but also C, whereas anemones from elsewhere
harboured only S. minutum within Clade B. Symbiodinium minutum apparently
does not form a stable symbiosis with other hosts, which implies a
highly-specific symbiosis. Fine-scale differences among S. minutum
populations were quantified using six microsatellite loci. Populations of
S. minutum had low genotypic diversity and high clonality (R=0.14).
Furthermore, minimal population structure was observed among regions and
ocean basins, due to allele and genotype sharing. The lack of genetic
structure and low genotypic diversity suggest recent vectoring of Aiptasia
and S. minutum across localities. This first ever molecular-genetic study
of a globally-distributed cnidarian and its Symbiodinium assemblages
reveals host-symbiont specificity and widely-distributed populations in an
important model system.
MicroSatResultsSymbiodinium genotypes associated with Aiptasia. Genotypes
were determined using 18S RFLP, ITS2 DGGE, and 6 microsatellite markers
specific to Symbiodinium Clade B. The spreadsheets provide sample
location, sample ID, RFLP and DGGE proflies, as well as the allele sizes
for each microsatellite. The data are presented on two worksheets within
the file. The first worksheet includes samples in which Clade B was
detected according to the 18S RFLP. The second worksheet includes samples
from Florida in which only Clade A was detected according to the 18S RFLP,
but the samples were screened with the Clade B-specific microsatellites to
determine whether low levels of Clade B (i.e., "background" or
"cryptic" populations) could be
detected.Aiptasia_Sym_B_MicSat_Fla2Nucleotide alignment of DNA sequences
from microsatellite flanking region loci CA4.86 and Si15. The alignment
includes Symbiodinium minutum associated with Aiptasia from field
collected and cultured specimens as well as Symbiodinium samples collected
from other hosts.Aiptasia-specific SCAR marker nucleotide sequence
alignment.2,026 bp of concatenated nucleotide sequences from four
Aiptasia-specific SCAR markers.Aiptasia_SCAR_alignment.nex.nex
the Mediterranean
the Red Sea
Japan
Hawaii
Mexico
Bermuda
Florida
Thailand
Australia