For centuries, shipworms have been known to mariners, causing shipwrecks and sinking parts of the Spanish Armada. However, scientists have never been able to understand how shipworms digest wood. Sometimes referred to as “termites of the sea,” shipworms are actually mollusks with snake-like bodies that feed on submerged wood in the ocean, such as tree trunks, logs, docks, and other marine structures. Despite their nickname, shipworms previously were not thought to have the necessary symbiotic microbes in their guts to digest lignin, the toughest part of wood.
Recently, researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst made a breakthrough in finding the microbes responsible for aiding shipworms in digesting wood. These bacteria were found in a sub-organ called the typhlosole, which had previously been overlooked and considered a mixing structure. The discovery of these bacteria required advanced culturing, metagenomic, and microscopy techniques.
By uncovering these hidden bacterial symbionts, researchers have not only solved a long-standing mystery but have also identified potential implications for the bioeconomy. The enzymes used by the bacteria to break down lignin could be utilized in bio-industrial processes for breaking down substrates. Additionally, other shipworm symbionts have been known to have properties useful as anti-parasitic antibiotics, showcasing the potential for further biotechnological advancements.
