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Peer-reviewedCC BYEcology and evolution

Host and Environment Shape the Giant Clam‐Associated Photosymbiont Community

  • John Bennedick Quijano1
  • Kuselah M. Tayaban1
  • Jake Ivan P. Baquiran1,2
  • Gabriella Juliane Maala1
  • Jeremiah Noelle C. Requilme1
  • Sherry Lyn G. Sayco1,3
  • Roger G. Dolorosa4
  • Patrick C. Cabaitan1
  • Cecilia Conaco1
4 affiliations
  1. 1Marine Science Institute University of the Philippines Diliman Quezon City Philippines
  2. 2Graduate School of Engineering and Science University of the Ryukyus Nishihara Okinawa Japan
  3. 3Department of Biology and Environmental Science, College of Science University of the Philippines Cebu Cebu City Philippines
  4. 4College of Fisheries and Natural Sciences Western Philippines University—Puerto Princesa Campus Puerto Princesa Palawan Philippines
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Abstract

Giant clams are some of the largest bivalve mollusks. They form a vital partnership with Symbiodiniaceae dinoflagellates that supply most of their energetic requirements. However, the factors that shape giant clam‐associated photosymbiont communities remain unknown. Here, we profiled Symbiodiniaceae communities using ITS2 metabarcoding in eight giant clam species ( Hippopus hippopus , H. porcellanus , Tridacna crocea , T. derasa , T. gigas , T. maxima , T. noae , and T. squamosa ) from 11 sites across the Philippine archipelago. Symbiodiniaceae community structure was shaped by an interplay between giant clam host and environment. Most giant clams were dominated by members of a single symbiont genus, with Cladocopium as the most prevalent, followed by Durusdinium and Symbiodinium . However, giant clam hosts also exhibited flexibility in their symbiotic partners that was evident across sites. Differences in giant clam‐associated symbiont communities may contribute to differences in holobiont function and adaptability to variable environments. These findings deepen our understanding of giant clam‐Symbiodiniaceae associations, offering a framework for predicting how giant clams may be affected by increasingly stressful reef conditions and, more importantly, informing strategies to improve mariculture and conservation practices.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{quijano2026host,
  title = {{Host and Environment Shape the Giant Clam‐Associated Photosymbiont Community}},
  author = {John Bennedick Quijano and Kuselah M. Tayaban and Jake Ivan P. Baquiran and Gabriella Juliane Maala and Jeremiah Noelle C. Requilme and Sherry Lyn G. Sayco and Roger G. Dolorosa and Patrick C. Cabaitan and Cecilia Conaco},
  journal = {Ecology and evolution},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1002/ece3.74492},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13668435},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Host and Environment Shape the Giant Clam‐Associated Photosymbiont Community
AU  - John Bennedick Quijano
AU  - Kuselah M. Tayaban
AU  - Jake Ivan P. Baquiran
AU  - Gabriella Juliane Maala
AU  - Jeremiah Noelle C. Requilme
AU  - Sherry Lyn G. Sayco
AU  - Roger G. Dolorosa
AU  - Patrick C. Cabaitan
AU  - Cecilia Conaco
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/01
JO  - Ecology and evolution
DO  - 10.1002/ece3.74492
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13668435
AB  - Giant clams are some of the largest bivalve mollusks. They form a vital partnership with Symbiodiniaceae dinoflagellates that supply most of their energetic requirements. However, the factors that shape giant clam‐associated photosymbiont communities remain unknown. Here, we profiled Symbiodiniaceae communities using ITS2 metabarcoding in eight giant clam species ( Hippopus hippopus , H. porcellanus , Tridacna crocea , T. derasa , T. gigas , T. maxima , T. noae , and T. squamosa ) from 11 sites across the Philippine archipelago. Symbiodiniaceae community structure was shaped by an interplay between giant clam host and environment. Most giant clams were dominated by members of a single symbiont genus, with Cladocopium as the most prevalent, followed by Durusdinium and Symbiodinium . However, giant clam hosts also exhibited flexibility in their symbiotic partners that was evident across sites. Differences in giant clam‐associated symbiont communities may contribute to differences in holobiont function and adaptability to variable environments. These findings deepen our understanding of giant clam‐Symbiodiniaceae associations, offering a framework for predicting how giant clams may be affected by increasingly stressful reef conditions and, more importantly, informing strategies to improve mariculture and conservation practices.
SN  - 2045-7758
ER  -