Wolbachia and Cardinium infection found in threatened unionid species: a new concern for conservation of freshwater mussels?

Abstract

Endosymbiotic bacterial species that manipulate host biology, reproduction and mitochondrial genetic diversity have been identified in many metazoans, especially terrestrial arthropods. Until now, the hypothesis that Wolbachia or other bacterial endosymbiont might be absent in mollusks has remained unexplored. We present here preliminary data on bacterial communities in a freshwater mussel Unio crassus—species with doubly uniparental inheritance of mtDNA (DUI). Next generation sequencing of 16S rRNA bacterial gene fragment allowed to identify endosymbiotic Cardinium and sequences that were classified to the order Rickettsiales. Finally, we discovered Wolbachia and confirmed Cardinium infection of Unio crassus using bacterial species-specific primers. Discovering Wolbachia and Cardinium infections in Unio crassus opens new opportunities of further investigations in the second largest animal phylum on Earth, very diversified phylogenetically, widespread geographically and inhabiting many environs, including freshwater, inhabited by the most threatened molluscan species. Considering the problems caused by endosymbionts identified in arthropods, the presence of endosymbiotic factor implies possibility of their influence on taxonomy of threatened unionids, on the results of studies of genetic diversity and proper conservation planning.