Primary data. Thiotrophic bacterial symbiont induces polyphenism in giant ciliate host Zoothamnium niveum

Here we study host dependence in the marine, giant colonial ciliate Zoothamnium niveum and its thiotrophic symbiont from an instable environment of degrading wood. We combine several experimental approaches to provide evidence for a sulphide-tolerant host with striking polyphenism involving two discrete morphs, a symbiotic and an aposymbiotic one. The two differ significantly in colony growth form and fitness. We provide evidence that the aposymbiotic morph is present in nature.

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