Hackmann, Timothy J.


Publications
1

Genomic diversification of giant enteric symbionts reflects host dietary lifestyles

Citation
Ngugi et al. (2017). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 114 (36)
Names
“Epulonipiscioides gigas” “Epulonipiscioides saccharophilum” “Epulonipiscium fischelsonii”
Abstract
Significance Gastrointestinal symbionts of organisms are important in the breakdown of food for the host, particularly for herbivores requiring exogenous enzymes to digest complex polysaccharides in their diet. However, their role in the digestion of algae in marine piscine herbivores remains unresolved. Here, we show that the diversity of food sources available to herbivorous surgeonfishes is directly linked with the genetic makeup of their enteric microbiota. Importantly