Mantle-Mucus Microbial Communities and Metabolic Responses to <i>Vibrio</i> Stress in the hard clam <i>Meretrix meretrix</i>

Wang Mengtian; Fu Lulu; Yao Hanhan; Dong Yinghui

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Wang Mengtian，Fu Lulu，Yao Hanhan, et al. Mantle-Mucus Microbial Communities and Metabolic Responses to Vibrio Stress in the hard clam Meretrix meretrix[J]. Haiyang Xuebao，2026, 48(x)：1–14

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Wang Mengtian，Fu Lulu，Yao Hanhan, et al. Mantle-Mucus Microbial Communities and Metabolic Responses to Vibrio Stress in the hard clam Meretrix meretrix[J]. Haiyang Xuebao，2026, 48(x)：1–14

Wang Mengtian，Fu Lulu，Yao Hanhan, et al. Mantle-Mucus Microbial Communities and Metabolic Responses to Vibrio Stress in the hard clam Meretrix meretrix[J]. Haiyang Xuebao，2026, 48(x)：1–14

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Mantle-Mucus Microbial Communities and Metabolic Responses to Vibrio Stress in the hard clam Meretrix meretrix

Wang Mengtian^{1, 2, 3
,},
Fu Lulu^{2, 3},
Yao Hanhan^{1
,
,},
Dong Yinghui^{2
,
,}

1.
Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Aquatic Germplasm Resources, College of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo 315100, China
2.
College of Modern Agriculture, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315101, China
3.
Ninghai Marine Biological Seed Industry Research Institute, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ninghai 315604, China

Received Date: 2026-01-27
Rev Recd Date: 2026-03-17

Available Online: 2026-04-05

Abstract

Abstract

The mantle tissue and its mucus of the hard clam Meretrix meretrix play a significant role in defending against pathogens. However, the potential links between the composition and function of their inherent microbiota and host immunity remains unclear. In this study, 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing was used to compare the microbiota composition and potential functions between the mantle tissue (group M) and mantle mucus (group N) in health clams. Non-targeted metabolomics (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS) was employed to analyze metabolite changes in the mantle mucus under Vibrio stress. Furthermore, spearman correlation analysis was applied to integrate the microbiota and metabolomics data, aiming to preliminarily explore potential associations between the microbiota and host immune metabolism. The results revealed significant niche differentiation between the mantle and mucus microbiota. The mantle microbiota exhibited higher richness and was dominated by the phylum Spirochaetota, while the mucus microbiota showed higher evenness, with Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota as the dominant phyla. The mucus was significantly enriched in taxa with polysaccharide-degrading or potential pathogenic capabilities, such as the genera vibrio, Tenacibaculum and Flavobacterium. Functional prediction indicated that the mucus microbiota was more active in immune- and energy-related pathways, like cysteine and methionine metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation. Metabolomic analysis under Vibrio stress showed significant alterations in various immune-related metabolites in the mucus, including succinate acid, propionate acid, and phenylalanine. Correlation analysis between microbiota and metabolites revealed close associations between resident microbes and host metabolites, such as a strong positive correlation between the genus Marinomonas and uracil, and a strong negative correlation between Flavobacterium and nitrate. Collectively, these findings suggest that the mantle-mucus complex functions as a dynamic interfacial microenvironment. Its specific microbial community structure may interact with host metabolism, providing immunological preparedness for the host to counteract pathogen invasion.
- Meretrix meretrix,
- mantle,
- mucus,
- bacterial community,
- metabolomics

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References(49)

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