Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Association of filamentous epibacteria with Tubificoides benedii (Oligochaeta: Annelida)

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A previously undescribed colonization of the marine oligochaete Tubificoides benedii (d'Udekum, 1855) from a sulfide-rich habitat by filamentous epibacteria was observed in 1984 and 1985. Electron microscopy showed that the bacteria were embedded in the cuticle of the posterior region of the worm. The association is apparently not pathogenic; possible forms of positive interaction are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature cited

  • Brock, T. D.: The genus Leucothrix. In: The prokaryotes. A handbook on habitats, isolation and identification of bacteria, vol. I, pp 400–408. Ed. by M. P. Starr, H. Stolp, H. G. Trüper, A. Balows and H. G. Schlegel. Berlin: Springer-Verlag 1981

    Google Scholar 

  • Burgh, M. E. de and C. L. Singla: Bacterial colonization and endocytosis on the gill of a new limpet species from a hydrothermal vent. Mar. Biol. 84, 1–6 (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahl, I. O.: The oligochaete fauna of 3 Danish brackish water areas. Meddr Danm. Fisk.-og Havunders. 26, 1–20 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  • Desbruyères, D., F. Gaill, L. Laubier, D. Prieur and G. H. Rau: Unusual nutrition of the “Pompeii worm” Alvinella pompejana (polychaetous annelid) from a hydrothermal vent environment: SEM, TEM, 13C and 15N evidence. Mar. Biol. 75, 201–205 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  • Desbruyères, D. and L. Laubier: Alvinella pompejana gen., Ampharetidae aberrant des sources hydrothermales de la ride Est-Pacifique. Oceanol. Acta 3, 267–274 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, E. and I. Horváth: Cytochemical studies on the cuticle and epidermis of Tubifex tubifex Müll. with special regard to the localization of polysaccharides, heavy metals and the DAB-reactivity. Histochemistry 54, 259–271 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Giere, O. and B. Rhode: Anatomy and ultrastructure of the marine oligochaete Tubificoides benedii (Tubificidae), with emphasis on its epidermis-cuticle-complex. Hydrobiologia (In press)

  • Hopper, B. E. and R. C. Cefalu: Free-living marine nematodes from Biscayne Bay, Florida V. Stilbonematinae: contributions to the taxonomy and morphology of the genus Eubostrichus Greef and related genera. Trans. Am. microsc. Soc. 92, 578–591 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunter, J. and D. R. Arthur: Some aspects of the ecology of Peloscolex benedeni Udekem (Oligochaeta: Tubificidae) in the Thames estuary. Estuar. estl mar. Sci. 6, 197–208 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jannasch, H. W.: Microbial processes at deep sea hydrothermal vents. In: Hydrothermal processes at seafloor spreading centers, pp 677–709. Ed. by P. A. Rona, K. Bostrom, L. Laubier and K. L. Smith, Jr.. New York: Plenum 1983

    Google Scholar 

  • Jannasch, H. W.: The chemosynthetic support of life and the microbial diversity at deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B 225, 277–297 (1985)

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, P. W., J. McN. Sieburth, A. Sastry, C. R. Arnold and M. S. Doty: Leucothrix mucor infestation of benthic crustacea, fish eggs and tropical algae. Limnol. Oceanogr. 16, 962–969 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jørgensen, B. B.: Ecology of the bacteria of the sulphur cycle with special reference to anoxic-oxic interface environments. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B298, 543–561 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Odum, E. P.: Ecology: the link between the natural and the social sciences, 244 pp. London: Holt Rinehart and Winston 1975

    Google Scholar 

  • Ott, J., G. Rieger, R. Rieger and F. Enderes: New mouthless interstitial worms from the sulfide system: symbiosis with prokaryotes. P.S.Z.N.I.: Mar. Ecol. 3, 313–333 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearse, A. G. E.: Histochemistry, 1518 pp. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone 1972

    Google Scholar 

  • Reise, K.: Sewage, green algal mats anchored by lugworms, and the effects on Turbellaria and small Polychaeta. Helgoländer wiss. Meeresunters. 36, 151–162 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  • Spurr, A. R.: A low-viscosity epoxy resin embedding medium for electron microscopy. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 26, 31 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Udekem, J. d': Nouvelle classification des Annélides sétigères abranches. Bull. Acad. r. Belg. Cl. Sci. 22, 533–555 (1855)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wieser, W.: Eine ungewöhnliche Assoziation zwischen Blaualgen und freilebenden marinen Nematoden. Öst. bot. Z. 106, 81–87 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yingst, J. Y. and D. C. Rhoads: The role of bioturbation in the enhancement of bacterial growth rates in marine sediments. In: Marine benthic dynamics, pp 407–421. Ed. by K. R. Tenore and B. C. Coull. Columbia: University of South Carolina Press 1980

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zoologisches Institut, Universität Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, D-2000, Hamburg 13, Federal Republic of Germany

    N. Dubilier

  2. Zoologisches Museum, Universität Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, D-2000, Hamburg 13, Federal Republic of Germany

    N. Dubilier

Authors
  1. N. Dubilier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dubilier, N. Association of filamentous epibacteria with Tubificoides benedii (Oligochaeta: Annelida). Marine Biology 92, 285–288 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392846

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392846

Keywords

Search

Navigation