Imaging reveals bacterial symbionts in the ovaries of tiny, aquatic crustaceans

Low-Res_Ostracod ovarium with endosymbiotic bacteria (Cardinium) in magenta Credit Schon and Chimileski, Proc. Royal Soc. B (2025)

Source: Schön and Chimileski et al., Proc. Royal Soc. B, 2025

Researchers have imaged a heritable form of bacterial symbiosis inside the reproductive system of tiny crustaceans known as ostracods. Bacteria from the genus Cardinium live inside the egg cells and tissues of ostracod ovaries, transmitted from mothers to offspring.

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