Evolutionary Relationships of “
Candidatus
Endobugula” Bacterial Symbionts and Their
Bugula
Bryozoan Hosts
ABSTRACT
Ribosomal gene sequences were obtained from bryozoans in the genus
Bugula
and their bacterial symbionts; analyses of host and symbiont phylogenetic trees did not support a history of strict cospeciation. Symbiont-derived compounds known to defend host larvae from predation were only detected in two out of four symbiotic
Bugula
species.