Shipworms’ Wood-Digesting Skills Unveiled in New Study

For centuries, shipworms, a type of mollusk found in oceans, have been causing destruction to wooden vessels, wharfs, and even the Spanish Armada in the 16th century. The mystery of how these creatures are able to wreak such havoc has finally been solved. A recent study published in the journal International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation uncovered the secret behind shipworms’ ability to digest lignin, the toughest material in wood, leading to the destruction of ships and maritime infrastructure. Researchers discovered symbiotic microbes hidden in a suborgan within shipworms’ guts called the typhlosole, which secrete enzymes capable of breaking down wood at a molecular level for digestion.

The study was led by Barry Goodell, a professor emeritus at the University of Maine’s School of Forest Resources and a retired professor of microbiology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Goodell and his team have been investigating how shipworms digest lignin for nearly a decade. The discovery of the shipworms’ hidden bacterial symbiont secret marks a significant breakthrough in understanding their destructive capabilities. These findings have the potential to support future research on greenhouse gas emissions, improve bioindustrial processes, and inspire the development of natural products for human health.

According to Goodell, the unraveling of this mystery is a satisfying achievement after years of research. The implications of this study go beyond maritime history, as they can pave the way for advancements in various fields such as environmental science and healthcare.

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