1
|
Ribeiro VV, Casado-Coy N, Salaní S, De-la-Torre GE, Sanz-Lazaro C, Castro ÍB. Microplastics in marine sponges (Porifera) along a highly urbanized estuarine gradient in Santos, Brazil. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 208:117044. [PMID: 39361994 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.117044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 09/22/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitously found in environmental matrices, particularly affecting aquatic systems. While several marine species have been widely used to assess MP contamination, sponges (Porifera) are less used. The MPs contamination was assessed in the sun sponge (Hymeniacidon heliophila) along a gradient at the Santos Estuarine System (Brazil). A 14-fold difference between concentrations (particles g-1) was verified between the most (1.40 ± 0.81) and least (0.10 ± 0.12) contaminated sites, confirming the local contamination gradient. The MPs found were primarily polypropylene, small (1.2-1000 μm), fibrous, and colored. Considering total concentrations, sizes and shapes these spatial patterns were similar those previously detected in molluscs obtained in the same sites. On the other hand, they differed in polymeric composition and color categories. Such findings give important initial insights into the potential role of marine sponges as putative sentinels of MPs contamination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nuria Casado-Coy
- Multidisciplinary Institute for Environmental Studies (MIES), Universidad de Alicante, Spain
| | - Sula Salaní
- Instituto Federal de Brasília, Campus São Sebastião, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre
- Grupo de Investigación de Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Sociedad, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru
| | - Carlos Sanz-Lazaro
- Multidisciplinary Institute for Environmental Studies (MIES), Universidad de Alicante, Spain; Departamento de Ecología, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bell JJ, Micaroni V, Strano F, Ryan KG, Mitchell K, Mitchell P, Wilkinson S, Thomas T, Batchiar R, Smith RO. Marine heatwave-driven mass mortality and microbial community reorganisation in an ecologically important temperate sponge. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17417. [PMID: 39105285 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are increasing in frequency, duration and intensity, disrupting global marine ecosystems. While most reported impacts have been in tropical areas, New Zealand experienced its strongest and longest MHW in 2022, profoundly affecting marine sponges. Sponges are vital to rocky benthic marine communities, with their abundance influencing ecosystem functioning. This study examines the impact of this MHW on the photosynthetic sponge Cymbastella lamellata in Fiordland, New Zealand. We describe the extent, physiological responses, mortality, microbial community changes and ecological impact of this MHW on C. lamellata. The Fiordland MHW reached a maximum temperature of 4.4°C above average, lasting for 259 days. Bleaching occurred in >90% of the C. lamellata Fiordland population. The population size exceeded 66 million from 5 to 25 m, making this the largest bleaching event of its kind ever recorded. We identified the photosynthetic symbiont as a diatom, and bleached sponges had reduced photosynthetic efficiency. Post-MHW surveys in 2023 found that over 50% of sponges at sampling sites had died but that the remaining sponges had mostly recovered from earlier bleaching. Using a simulated MHW experiment, we found that temperature stress was a driver of necrosis rather than bleaching, despite necrosis only rarely being observed in the field (<2% of sponges). This suggests that bleaching may not be the cause of the mortality directly. We also identified a microbial community shift in surviving sponges, which we propose represents a microbial-mediated adaptive response to MHWs. We also found that C. lamellata are key contributors of dissolved organic carbon to the water column, with their loss likely impacting ecosystem function. We demonstrate the potential for MHWs to disrupt key marine phyla in temperate regions, highlighting how susceptible temperate sponges globally might be to MHWs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James J Bell
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Valerio Micaroni
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Francesca Strano
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Ken G Ryan
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | | | | | | | - Torsten Thomas
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ramadian Batchiar
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Robert O Smith
- Department of Marine Science, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Efremova J, Mazzella V, Mirasole A, Teixidó N, Núñez-Pons L. Divergent morphological and microbiome strategies of two neighbor sponges to cope with low pH in Mediterranean CO 2 vents. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 916:170171. [PMID: 38246375 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Ocean Acidification (OA) profoundly impacts marine biochemistry, resulting in a net loss of biodiversity. Porifera are often forecasted as winner taxa, yet the strategies to cope with OA can vary and may generate diverse fitness status. In this study, microbial shifts based on the V3-V4 16S rRNA gene marker were compared across neighboring Chondrosia reniformis sponges with high microbial abundance (HMA), and Spirastrella cunctatrix with low microbial abundance (LMA) microbiomes. Sponge holobionts co-occurred in a CO2 vent system with low pH (pHT ~ 7.65), and a control site with Ambient pH (pHT ~ 8.05) off Ischia Island, representing natural analogues to study future OA, and species' responses in the face of global environmental change. Microbial diversity and composition varied in both species across sites, yet at different levels. Increased numbers of core taxa were detected in S. cunctatrix, and a more diverse and flexible core microbiome was reported in C. reniformis under OA. Vent S. cunctatrix showed morphological impairment, along with signs of putative stress-induced dysbiosis, manifested by: 1) increases in alpha diversity, 2) shifts from sponge related microbes towards seawater microbes, and 3) high dysbiosis scores. Chondrosia reniformis in lieu, showed no morphological variation, low dysbiosis scores, and experienced a reduction in alpha diversity and less number of core taxa in vent specimens. Therefore, C. reniformis is hypothesized to maintain an state of normobiosis and acclimatize to OA, thanks to a more diverse, and likely metabolically versatile microbiome. A consortium of differentially abundant microbes was identified associated to either vent or control sponges, and chiefly related to carbon, nitrogen and sulfur-metabolisms for nutrient cycling and vitamin production, as well as probiotic symbionts in C. reniformis. Diversified symbiont associates supporting functional convergence could be the key behind resilience towards OA, yet specific acclimatization traits should be further investigated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jana Efremova
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Valerio Mazzella
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, National Institute of Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnology, Ischia Marine Centre, Ischia 80077, Naples, Italy.
| | - Alice Mirasole
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, National Institute of Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnology, Ischia Marine Centre, Ischia 80077, Naples, Italy.
| | - Núria Teixidó
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, National Institute of Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnology, Ischia Marine Centre, Ischia 80077, Naples, Italy; Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Villefranche-sur-mer, France.
| | - Laura Núñez-Pons
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Takahashi M, Saccò M, Kestel JH, Nester G, Campbell MA, van der Heyde M, Heydenrych MJ, Juszkiewicz DJ, Nevill P, Dawkins KL, Bessey C, Fernandes K, Miller H, Power M, Mousavi-Derazmahalleh M, Newton JP, White NE, Richards ZT, Allentoft ME. Aquatic environmental DNA: A review of the macro-organismal biomonitoring revolution. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 873:162322. [PMID: 36801404 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Environmental DNA (eDNA) is the fastest growing biomonitoring tool fuelled by two key features: time efficiency and sensitivity. Technological advancements allow rapid biodiversity detection at both species and community levels with increasing accuracy. Concurrently, there has been a global demand to standardise eDNA methods, but this is only possible with an in-depth overview of the technological advancements and a discussion of the pros and cons of available methods. We therefore conducted a systematic literature review of 407 peer-reviewed papers on aquatic eDNA published between 2012 and 2021. We observed a gradual increase in the annual number of publications from four (2012) to 28 (2018), followed by a rapid growth to 124 publications in 2021. This was mirrored by a tremendous diversification of methods in all aspects of the eDNA workflow. For example, in 2012 only freezing was applied to preserve filter samples, whereas we recorded 12 different preservation methods in the 2021 literature. Despite an ongoing standardisation debate in the eDNA community, the field is seemingly moving fast in the opposite direction and we discuss the reasons and implications. Moreover, by compiling the largest PCR-primer database to date, we provide information on 522 and 141 published species-specific and metabarcoding primers targeting a wide range of aquatic organisms. This works as a user-friendly 'distillation' of primer information that was hitherto scattered across hundreds of papers, but the list also reflects which taxa are commonly studied with eDNA technology in aquatic environments such as fish and amphibians, and reveals that groups such as corals, plankton and algae are under-studied. Efforts to improve sampling and extraction methods, primer specificity and reference databases are crucial to capture these ecologically important taxa in future eDNA biomonitoring surveys. In a rapidly diversifying field, this review synthetises aquatic eDNA procedures and can guide eDNA users towards best practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miwa Takahashi
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia; Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Indian Oceans Marine Research Centre, Environomics Future Science Platform, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia.
| | - Mattia Saccò
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia.
| | - Joshua H Kestel
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Georgia Nester
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Matthew A Campbell
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Mieke van der Heyde
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Matthew J Heydenrych
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia; Jarman Laboratory, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Australia
| | - David J Juszkiewicz
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Paul Nevill
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Kathryn L Dawkins
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Cindy Bessey
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Indian Oceans Marine Research Centre, Oceans and Atmosphere, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kristen Fernandes
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Haylea Miller
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Indian Oceans Marine Research Centre, Environomics Future Science Platform, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Matthew Power
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Mahsa Mousavi-Derazmahalleh
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Joshua P Newton
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Nicole E White
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Zoe T Richards
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Morten E Allentoft
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia; Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Centre, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Jeunen GJ, Cane JS, Ferreira S, Strano F, von Ammon U, Cross H, Day R, Hesseltine S, Ellis K, Urban L, Pearson N, Olmedo-Rojas P, Kardailsky A, Gemmell NJ, Lamare M. Assessing the utility of marine filter feeders for environmental DNA (eDNA) biodiversity monitoring. Mol Ecol Resour 2023; 23:771-786. [PMID: 36598115 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys are transforming how marine ecosystems are monitored. The time-consuming preprocessing step of active filtration, however, remains a bottleneck. Hence, new approaches that eliminate the need for active filtration are required. Filter-feeding invertebrates have been proven to collect eDNA, but side-by-side comparative studies to investigate the similarity between aquatic and filter-feeder eDNA signals are essential. Here, we investigated the differences among four eDNA sources (water; bivalve gill-tissue; sponges; and ethanol in which filter-feeding organisms were stored) along a vertically stratified transect in Doubtful Sound, New Zealand using three metabarcoding primer sets targeting fish and vertebrates. Combined, eDNA sources detected 59 vertebrates, while concurrent diver surveys observed eight fish species. There were no significant differences in alpha and beta diversity between water and sponge eDNA and both sources were highly correlated. Vertebrate eDNA was successfully extracted from the ethanol in which sponges were stored, although a reduced number of species were detected. Bivalve gill-tissue dissections, on the other hand, failed to reliably detect eDNA. Overall, our results show that vertebrate eDNA signals obtained from water samples and marine sponges are highly concordant. The strong similarity in eDNA signals demonstrates the potential of marine sponges as an additional tool for eDNA-based marine biodiversity surveys, by enabling the incorporation of larger sample numbers in eDNA surveys, reducing plastic waste, simplifying sample collection, and as a cost-efficient alternative. However, we note the importance to not detrimentally impact marine communities by, for example, nonlethal subsampling, specimen cloning, or using bycatch specimens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gert-Jan Jeunen
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Jasmine S Cane
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,ARC CoE for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | - Sara Ferreira
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Francesca Strano
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn, New Zealand
| | | | - Hugh Cross
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Robert Day
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Sean Hesseltine
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Kaleb Ellis
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Lara Urban
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Niall Pearson
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | - Anya Kardailsky
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Neil J Gemmell
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Miles Lamare
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Quek ZBR, Ng JY, Jain SS, Long JXS, Lim SC, Tun K, Huang D. Low genetic diversity and predation threaten a rediscovered marine sponge. Sci Rep 2022; 12:22499. [PMID: 36577798 PMCID: PMC9797562 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26970-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Discovered in 1819 in the tropical waters off Singapore, the magnificent Neptune's cup sponge Cliona patera (Hardwicke, 1820) was harvested for museums and collectors until it was presumed extinct worldwide for over a century since 1907. Recently in 2011, seven living individuals were rediscovered in Singapore with six relocated to a marine protected area in an effort to better monitor and protect the population, as well as to enhance external fertilisation success. To determine genetic diversity within the population, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genomes and nuclear ribosomal DNA of these six individuals and found extremely limited variability in their genes. The low genetic diversity of this rediscovered population is confirmed by comparisons with close relatives of C. patera and could compromise the population's ability to recover from environmental and anthropogenic pressures associated with the highly urbanised coastlines of Singapore. This lack of resilience is compounded by severe predation which has been shrinking sponge sizes by up to 5.6% every month. Recovery of this highly endangered population may require ex situ approaches and crossbreeding with other populations, which are also rare.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Z. B. Randolph Quek
- grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Yale-NUS College, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Juat Ying Ng
- grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431School of Design and Environment, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.467827.80000 0004 0620 8814National Biodiversity Centre, National Parks Board, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sudhanshi S. Jain
- grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - J. X. Sean Long
- grid.462738.c0000 0000 9091 4551Republic Polytechnic, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Swee Cheng Lim
- grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Karenne Tun
- grid.467827.80000 0004 0620 8814National Biodiversity Centre, National Parks Board, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Danwei Huang
- grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Centre for Nature-Based Climate Solutions, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Aquatic Insects in Habitat-Forming Sponges: The Case of the Lower Mekong and Conservation Perspectives in a Global Context. DIVERSITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/d14110911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Shallow water sponges settled on a raft along the Pong River (Lower Mekong Basin, Thailand) were investigated to highlight the taxonomic richness, composition, relative abundance and lifestyle of sponge-dwelling aquatic Insecta. The three-dimensional biogenic structures of the model sponges hosted 4 orders of Insecta, belonging to 10 families and 19 genera/species, able to strictly coexist at the level of the sponges in aquiferous canals and/or at the body surface, and/or dwelling in the extracellular matrix. On the basis of the identified 379 larvae and pupae, Trichoptera and Diptera were found to be the dominant inhabitants of Corvospongilla siamensis (Demospongiae: Spongillida), endemic to Southeast Asia. In the focused lotic ecosystem, dominated by soft bottoms, sponges play a functional role. Insecta use sponges as a substratum, nursery ground, food source, and shelter microhabitat, protecting them from predation and environmental aggression. Moreover, their feeding behavior indicates the insects’ adaptive traits to recycle sponge siliceous spicules as a source of exogenous material to strengthen the larval–pupal cases and the digestive system. The results of the Thai sponge model contribute to the inventory of global engineering species richness, ecosystem types, and biogeographic diversity, thus raising awareness for freshwater biodiversity conservation. In this regard, the present data, along with the worldwide inventory, focus on sponges as (a) key habitat-forming species for aquatic insect assemblages, (b) ecosystem engineers in river/lake/wetland ecosystems, providing water purification, the processing of organic matter, recycling of nutrients, and freshwater–terrestrial coupling, and (c) promising candidates in restoration projects of tropical freshwater ecosystems by bioremediation.
Collapse
|
8
|
Filtering Activity and Nutrient Release by the Keratose Sponge Sarcotragus spinosulus Schmidt, 1862 (Porifera, Demospongiae) at the Laboratory Scale. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse9020178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Sponges are an important constituent of filter-feeder benthic communities, characterized by high ecological plasticity and abundance. Free bacteria constitute an important quota of their diet, making them excellent candidates in aquaculture microbial bioremediation, where bacteria can be a serious problem. Although there are studies on this topic, certain promising species are still under investigation. Here we report applied microbiological research on the filtering activity of Sarcotragus spinosulus on two different concentrations of the pathogenic bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus in a laboratory experiment. To evaluate the effects of the filtration on the surrounding nutrient load, the release of ammonium, nitrate, and phosphate was also measured. The results obtained showed the efficient filtration capability of S. spinosulus as able to reduce the Vibrio load with a maximum retention efficiency of 99.72% and 99.35% at higher and lower Vibrio concentrations, respectively, and remarkable values of clearance rates (average maximum value 45.0 ± 4.1 mL h−1 g DW−1) at the highest Vibrio concentration tested. The nutrient release measured showed low values for each considered nutrient category at less than 1 mg L−1 for ammonium and phosphate and less than 5 mg L−1 for nitrate. The filtering activity and nutrient release by S. spinosulus suggest that this species represents a promising candidate in microbial bioremediation, showing an efficient capability in removing V. parahaemolyticus from seawater with a contribution to the nutrient load.
Collapse
|
9
|
Effects of Seasonal Anoxia on the Microbial Community Structure in Demosponges in a Marine Lake in Lough Hyne, Ireland. mSphere 2021; 6:6/1/e00991-20. [PMID: 33536324 PMCID: PMC7860989 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00991-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change is expanding marine oxygen minimum zones (OMZs), while anthropogenic nutrient input depletes oxygen concentrations locally. The effects of deoxygenation on animals are generally detrimental; however, some sponges (Porifera) exhibit hypoxic and anoxic tolerance through currently unknown mechanisms. Sponges harbor highly specific microbiomes, which can include microbes with anaerobic capabilities. Sponge-microbe symbioses must also have persisted through multiple anoxic/hypoxic periods throughout Earth's history. Since sponges lack key components of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathway responsible for hypoxic responses in other animals, it was hypothesized that sponge tolerance to deoxygenation may be facilitated by its microbiome. To test this hypothesis, we determined the microbial composition of sponge species tolerating seasonal anoxia and hypoxia in situ in a semienclosed marine lake, using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. We discovered a high degree of cryptic diversity among sponge species tolerating seasonal deoxygenation, including at least nine encrusting species of the orders Axinellida and Poecilosclerida. Despite significant changes in microbial community structure in the water, sponge microbiomes were species specific and remarkably stable under varied oxygen conditions, which was further explored for Eurypon spp. 2 and Hymeraphia stellifera However, some symbiont sharing occurred under anoxia. At least three symbiont combinations, all including large populations of Thaumarchaeota, corresponded with deoxygenation tolerance, and some combinations were shared between some distantly related hosts. We propose hypothetical host-symbiont interactions following deoxygenation that could confer deoxygenation tolerance.IMPORTANCE The oceans have an uncertain future due to anthropogenic stressors and an uncertain past that is becoming clearer with advances in biogeochemistry. Both past and future oceans were, or will be, deoxygenated in comparison to present conditions. Studying how sponges and their associated microbes tolerate deoxygenation provides insights into future marine ecosystems. Moreover, sponges form the earliest branch of the animal evolutionary tree, and they likely resemble some of the first animals. We determined the effects of variable environmental oxygen concentrations on the microbial communities of several demosponge species during seasonal anoxia in the field. Our results indicate that anoxic tolerance in some sponges may depend on their symbionts, but anoxic tolerance was not universal in sponges. Therefore, some sponge species could likely outcompete benthic organisms like corals in future, reduced-oxygen ecosystems. Our results support the molecular evidence that sponges and other animals have a Neoproterozoic origin and that animal evolution was not limited by low-oxygen conditions.
Collapse
|
10
|
Rondon R, González-Aravena M, Font A, Osorio M, Cárdenas CA. Effects of Climate Change Stressors on the Prokaryotic Communities of the Antarctic Sponge Isodictya kerguelenensis. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
|
11
|
Sponge communities in the eastern Canadian Arctic: species richness, diversity and density determined using targeted benthic sampling and underwater video analysis. Polar Biol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-020-02709-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
12
|
Bell JJ, McGrath E, Kandler NM, Marlow J, Beepat SS, Bachtiar R, Shaffer MR, Mortimer C, Micaroni V, Mobilia V, Rovellini A, Harris B, Farnham E, Strano F, Carballo JL. Interocean patterns in shallow water sponge assemblage structure and function. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2020; 95:1720-1758. [PMID: 32812691 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Sponges are a major component of benthic ecosystems across the world and fulfil a number of important functional roles. However, despite their importance, there have been few attempts to compare sponge assemblage structure and ecological functions across large spatial scales. In this review, we examine commonalities and differences between shallow water (<100 m) sponges at bioregional (15 bioregions) and macroregional (tropical, Mediterranean, temperate, and polar) scales, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of sponge ecology. Patterns of sponge abundance (based on density and area occupied) were highly variable, with an average benthic cover between ~1 and 30%. Sponges were generally found to occupy more space (percentage cover) in the Mediterranean and polar macroregions, compared to temperate and tropical macroregions, although sponge densities (sponges m-2 ) were highest in temperate bioregions. Mean species richness standardised by sampling area was similar across all bioregions, except for a few locations that supported very high small-scale biodiversity concentrations. Encrusting growth forms were generally the dominant sponge morphology, with the exception of the Tropical West Atlantic, where upright forms dominated. Annelids and Arthropods were the most commonly reported macrofauna associated with sponges across bioregions. With respect to reproduction, there were no patterns in gametic development (hermaphroditism versus gonochorism), although temperate, tropical, and polar macroregions had an increasingly higher percentage of viviparous species, respectively, with viviparity being the sole gamete development mechanism reported for polar sponges to date. Seasonal reproductive timing was the most common in all bioregions, but continuous timing was more common in the Mediterranean and tropical bioregions compared to polar and temperate bioregions. We found little variation across bioregions in larval size, and the dominant larval type across the globe was parenchymella. No pattens among bioregions were found in the limited information available for standardised respiration and pumping rates. Many organisms were found to predate sponges, with the abundance of sponge predators being higher in tropical systems. While there is some evidence to support a higher overall proportion of phototrophic species in the Tropical Austalian bioregion compared to the Western Atlantic, both also have large numbers of heterotrophic species. Sponges are important spatial competitors across all bioregions, most commonly being reported to interact with anthozoans and algae. Even though the available information was limited for many bioregions, our analyses demonstrate some differences in sponge traits and functions among bioregions, and among macroregions. However, we also identified similarities in sponge assemblage structure and function at global scales, likely reflecting a combination of regional- and local-scale biological and physical processes affecting sponge assemblages, along with common ancestry. Finally, we used our analyses to highlight geographic bias in past sponge research, and identify gaps in our understanding of sponge ecology globally. By so doing, we identified key areas for future research on sponge ecology. We hope that our study will help sponge researchers to consider bioregion-specific features of sponge assemblages and key sponge-mediated ecological processes from a global perspective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James J Bell
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Emily McGrath
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand.,Cawthron Institute, 98 Halifax St E, The Wood, Nelson, 7010, New Zealand
| | - Nora M Kandler
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Joseph Marlow
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand.,British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, U.K
| | - Sandeep S Beepat
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Ramadian Bachtiar
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Megan R Shaffer
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Charlotte Mortimer
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Valerio Micaroni
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Valeria Mobilia
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Alberto Rovellini
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Benjamin Harris
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Elizabeth Farnham
- Ministry of Primary Industries, PO Box 2526, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Francesca Strano
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - José Luis Carballo
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Avenida Joel Montes Camarena, s/n. apartado postal 811, Mazatlán, 82000, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Vanwonterghem I, Webster NS. Coral Reef Microorganisms in a Changing Climate. iScience 2020; 23:100972. [PMID: 32208346 PMCID: PMC7096749 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.100972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Coral reefs are one of the most diverse and productive ecosystems on the planet, yet they have suffered tremendous losses due to anthropogenic disturbances and are predicted to be one of the most adversely affected habitats under future climate change conditions. Coral reefs can be viewed as microbially driven ecosystems that rely on the efficient capture, retention, and recycling of nutrients in order to thrive in oligotrophic waters. Microorganisms play vital roles in maintaining holobiont health and ecosystem resilience under environmental stress; however, they are also key players in positive feedback loops that intensify coral reef decline, with cascading effects on biogeochemical cycles and marine food webs. There is an urgent need to develop a fundamental understanding of the complex microbial interactions within coral reefs and their role in ecosystem acclimatization, and it is important to include microorganisms in reef conservation in order to secure a future for these unique environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Inka Vanwonterghem
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Nicole S Webster
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD 4810, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
González-Aravena M, Kenny NJ, Osorio M, Font A, Riesgo A, Cárdenas CA. Warm temperatures, cool sponges: the effect of increased temperatures on the Antarctic sponge Isodictya sp. PeerJ 2019; 7:e8088. [PMID: 31824760 PMCID: PMC6896943 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the cellular and molecular responses to exposure to relatively high temperatures (acute thermal stress or heat shock) have been studied previously, only sparse empirical evidence of how it affects cold-water species is available. As climate change becomes more pronounced in areas such as the Western Antarctic Peninsula, both long-term and occasional acute temperature rises will impact species found there, and it has become crucial to understand the capacity of these species to respond to such thermal stress. Here, we use the Antarctic sponge Isodictya sp. to investigate how sessile organisms (particularly Porifera) can adjust to acute short-term heat stress, by exposing this species to 3 and 5 °C for 4 h, corresponding to predicted temperatures under high-end 2080 IPCC-SRES scenarios. Assembling a de novo reference transcriptome (90,188 contigs, >93.7% metazoan BUSCO genes) we have begun to discern the molecular response employed by Isodictya to adjust to heat exposure. Our initial analyses suggest that TGF-β, ubiquitin and hedgehog cascades are involved, alongside other genes. However, the degree and type of response changed little from 3 to 5 °C in the time frame examined, suggesting that even moderate rises in temperature could cause stress at the limits of this organism’s capacity. Given the importance of sponges to Antarctic ecosystems, our findings are vital for discerning the consequences of short-term increases in Antarctic ocean temperature on these and other species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nathan J Kenny
- Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, London, UK.,Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Magdalena Osorio
- Departamento Científico, Instituto Antártico Chileno, Puntas Arenas, Chile
| | - Alejandro Font
- Departamento Científico, Instituto Antártico Chileno, Puntas Arenas, Chile
| | - Ana Riesgo
- Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, London, UK
| | - César A Cárdenas
- Departamento Científico, Instituto Antártico Chileno, Puntas Arenas, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Belikov S, Belkova N, Butina T, Chernogor L, Martynova-Van Kley A, Nalian A, Rorex C, Khanaev I, Maikova O, Feranchuk S. Diversity and shifts of the bacterial community associated with Baikal sponge mass mortalities. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213926. [PMID: 30921366 PMCID: PMC6438488 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The disease of freshwater sponges was first discovered in 2011, when pink samples were found in the Central Basin of Lake Baikal. Subsequently, the visible signs of the disease have changed, and now sponges appear with various symptoms of damage to the body, such as discoloration, tissue necrosis, the formation of brown patches and dirty-purple biofilms on some branches. These signs of the disease are accompanied by the mass death of sponges. We identified differences in microbiomes by sequencing 16S rRNA genes and found changes in the consortium of microorganisms of freshwater Baikal sponges. We found that the observed imbalance in the studied microbial communities of diseased sponges is caused by several different conditionally pathogenic microorganisms that increase their negative effect by acting together and in concert, which leads to the death of photosynthetic microalgae and sponges. Sponges are an important component of coastal communities, and the massive loss of sponges can obviously affect the structure of benthic communities and the purity of water.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergei Belikov
- Laboratory of Analytical Bioorganic Chemistry, Limnological Institute of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Irkutsk, Russia
- * E-mail:
| | - Natalia Belkova
- Laboratory of Analytical Bioorganic Chemistry, Limnological Institute of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Tatiana Butina
- Laboratory of Analytical Bioorganic Chemistry, Limnological Institute of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Lubov Chernogor
- Laboratory of Analytical Bioorganic Chemistry, Limnological Institute of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Irkutsk, Russia
| | | | - Armen Nalian
- Department of Biology, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas, United States of America
| | - Colin Rorex
- Department of Biology, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas, United States of America
| | - Igor Khanaev
- Laboratory of Analytical Bioorganic Chemistry, Limnological Institute of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Olga Maikova
- Laboratory of Analytical Bioorganic Chemistry, Limnological Institute of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Sergey Feranchuk
- Laboratory of Analytical Bioorganic Chemistry, Limnological Institute of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Irkutsk, Russia
- Department of Informatics, National Research Technical University, Irkutsk, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Bell JJ, Bennett HM, Rovellini A, Webster NS. Sponges to Be Winners under Near-Future Climate Scenarios. Bioscience 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biy142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- James J Bell
- School of Biological Sciences at Victoria University of Wellington, in Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Holly M Bennett
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, in Townsville, Queensland
- Cawthron Institute in Nelson
| | - Alberto Rovellini
- School of Biological Sciences at Victoria University of Wellington, in Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Nicole S Webster
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, in Townsville, Queensland
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, at The University of Queensland, in Brisbane
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Padiglia A, Ledda FD, Padedda BM, Pronzato R, Manconi R. Long-term experimental in situ farming of Crambe crambe (Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida). PeerJ 2018; 6:e4964. [PMID: 29915695 PMCID: PMC6004114 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The marine sponge Crambe crambe was chosen as an experimental model of sustainable shallow-water mariculture in the Sardinian Sea (Western Mediterranean) to provide biomass with high potential in applied research. Methods Explants were cultured in four long-term experiments (19 and 31 months at ca. 2.5 m depth), to determine the suitability of new culture techniques by testing substrata and seeding time (season), and monitoring survival and growth. Explants were excised and grown in an experimental plant close to the wild donor sponge population. Percentage growth rate (GR%) was measured in terms of surface cover area, and explant survival was monitored in situ by means of a digital photo camera. Results Explant survival was high throughout the trial, ranging from 78.57% to 92.85% on travertine tiles and from 50% to 71.42% on oyster shells. A few instances of sponge regression were observed. Explant cover area correlated positively with season on two substrata, i.e., tiles and shells. The surface cover area and GR% of explants were measured in the starting phase and monitored up to the end of the trial. High GR% values were observed both on tiles (>21%) and on oyster shells (>15%). Discussion The data on the behaviour and life-style of cultured fragments, together with an increase >2,400% in cover area, demonstrate that in situ aquaculture is a viable and sustainable method for the shallow-water biomass supply of Crambe crambe.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Padiglia
- Department for Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.,Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Fabio D Ledda
- Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Bachisio M Padedda
- Department of Architecture, Design and Urban Planning, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Roberto Pronzato
- Department for Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Renata Manconi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Pita L, Rix L, Slaby BM, Franke A, Hentschel U. The sponge holobiont in a changing ocean: from microbes to ecosystems. MICROBIOME 2018; 6:46. [PMID: 29523192 PMCID: PMC5845141 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-018-0428-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 254] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The recognition that all macroorganisms live in symbiotic association with microbial communities has opened up a new field in biology. Animals, plants, and algae are now considered holobionts, complex ecosystems consisting of the host, the microbiota, and the interactions among them. Accordingly, ecological concepts can be applied to understand the host-derived and microbial processes that govern the dynamics of the interactive networks within the holobiont. In marine systems, holobionts are further integrated into larger and more complex communities and ecosystems, a concept referred to as "nested ecosystems." In this review, we discuss the concept of holobionts as dynamic ecosystems that interact at multiple scales and respond to environmental change. We focus on the symbiosis of sponges with their microbial communities-a symbiosis that has resulted in one of the most diverse and complex holobionts in the marine environment. In recent years, the field of sponge microbiology has remarkably advanced in terms of curated databases, standardized protocols, and information on the functions of the microbiota. Like a Russian doll, these microbial processes are translated into sponge holobiont functions that impact the surrounding ecosystem. For example, the sponge-associated microbial metabolisms, fueled by the high filtering capacity of the sponge host, substantially affect the biogeochemical cycling of key nutrients like carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous. Since sponge holobionts are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic stressors that jeopardize the stability of the holobiont ecosystem, we discuss the link between environmental perturbations, dysbiosis, and sponge diseases. Experimental studies suggest that the microbial community composition is tightly linked to holobiont health, but whether dysbiosis is a cause or a consequence of holobiont collapse remains unresolved. Moreover, the potential role of the microbiome in mediating the capacity for holobionts to acclimate and adapt to environmental change is unknown. Future studies should aim to identify the mechanisms underlying holobiont dynamics at multiple scales, from the microbiome to the ecosystem, and develop management strategies to preserve the key functions provided by the sponge holobiont in our present and future oceans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L. Pita
- RD3 Marine Microbiology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
| | - L. Rix
- RD3 Marine Microbiology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
| | - B. M. Slaby
- RD3 Marine Microbiology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
| | - A. Franke
- RD3 Marine Microbiology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
| | - U. Hentschel
- RD3 Marine Microbiology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
- Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel (CAU), Kiel, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Bennett HM, Altenrath C, Woods L, Davy SK, Webster NS, Bell JJ. Interactive effects of temperature and pCO 2 on sponges: from the cradle to the grave. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2017; 23:2031-2046. [PMID: 27550825 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Revised: 08/07/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
As atmospheric CO2 concentrations rise, associated ocean warming (OW) and ocean acidification (OA) are predicted to cause declines in reef-building corals globally, shifting reefs from coral-dominated systems to those dominated by less sensitive species. Sponges are important structural and functional components of coral reef ecosystems, but despite increasing field-based evidence that sponges may be 'winners' in response to environmental degradation, our understanding of how they respond to the combined effects of OW and OA is limited. To determine the tolerance of adult sponges to climate change, four abundant Great Barrier Reef species were experimentally exposed to OW and OA levels predicted for 2100, under two CO2 Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs). The impact of OW and OA on early life-history stages was also assessed for one of these species to provide a more holistic view of species impacts. All species were generally unaffected by conditions predicted under RCP6.0, although environmental conditions projected under RCP8.5 caused significant adverse effects: with elevated temperature decreasing the survival of all species, increasing levels of tissue necrosis and bleaching, elevating respiration rates and decreasing photosynthetic rates. OA alone had little adverse effect, even under RCP8.5 concentrations. Importantly, the interactive effect of OW and OA varied between species with different nutritional modes, with elevated pCO2 exacerbating temperature stress in heterotrophic species but mitigating temperature stress in phototrophic species. This antagonistic interaction was reflected by reduced mortality, necrosis and bleaching of phototrophic species in the highest OW/OA treatment. Survival and settlement success of Carteriospongia foliascens larvae were unaffected by experimental treatments, and juvenile sponges exhibited greater tolerance to OW than their adult counterparts. With elevated pCO2 providing phototrophic species with protection from elevated temperature, across different life stages, climate change may ultimately drive a shift in the composition of sponge assemblages towards a dominance of phototrophic species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Holly M Bennett
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, 4810, Qld, Australia
| | - Christine Altenrath
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, 4810, Qld, Australia
- AIMS@JCU, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld, 4811, Australia
| | - Lisa Woods
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand
| | - Simon K Davy
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand
| | - Nicole S Webster
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, 4810, Qld, Australia
| | - James J Bell
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Guzman C, Conaco C. Gene Expression Dynamics Accompanying the Sponge Thermal Stress Response. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165368. [PMID: 27788197 PMCID: PMC5082814 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine sponges are important members of coral reef ecosystems. Thus, their responses to changes in ocean chemistry and environmental conditions, particularly to higher seawater temperatures, will have potential impacts on the future of these reefs. To better understand the sponge thermal stress response, we investigated gene expression dynamics in the shallow water sponge, Haliclona tubifera (order Haplosclerida, class Demospongiae), subjected to elevated temperature. Using high-throughput transcriptome sequencing, we show that these conditions result in the activation of various processes that interact to maintain cellular homeostasis. Short-term thermal stress resulted in the induction of heat shock proteins, antioxidants, and genes involved in signal transduction and innate immunity pathways. Prolonged exposure to thermal stress affected the expression of genes involved in cellular damage repair, apoptosis, signaling and transcription. Interestingly, exposure to sublethal temperatures may improve the ability of the sponge to mitigate cellular damage under more extreme stress conditions. These insights into the potential mechanisms of adaptation and resilience of sponges contribute to a better understanding of sponge conservation status and the prediction of ecosystem trajectories under future climate conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christine Guzman
- Marine Science Institute, College of Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Cecilia Conaco
- Marine Science Institute, College of Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Patterns of Sponge Biodiversity in the Pilbara, Northwestern Australia. DIVERSITY 2016. [DOI: 10.3390/d8040021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
|
22
|
Edge KJ, Johnston EL, Dafforn KA, Simpson SL, Kutti T, Bannister RJ. Sub-lethal effects of water-based drilling muds on the deep-water sponge Geodia barretti. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2016; 212:525-534. [PMID: 26970856 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.02.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2015] [Revised: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Offshore oil and gas activities can result in the discharge of large amounts of drilling muds. While these materials have generally been regarded as non-toxic to marine organisms, recent studies have demonstrated negative impacts to suspension feeding organisms. We exposed the arctic-boreal sponge Geodia barretti to the primary particulate components of two water-based drilling muds; barite and bentonite. Sponges were exposed to barite, bentonite and a natural reference sediment at a range of total suspended solid concentrations (TSS = 0, 10, 50 or 100 mg/L) for 12 h after which we measured a suite of biomarker responses (lysosomal membrane stability, lipid peroxidation and glutathione). In addition, we compared biomarker responses, organic energy content and metal accumulation in sponges, which had been continuously or intermittently exposed to suspended barite and natural sediment for 14 d at relevant concentrations (10 and 30 mg TSS/L). Lysosomal membrane stability was reduced in the sponges exposed to barite at 50 and 100 mg TSS/L after just 12 h and at 30 mg TSS/L for both continuous and intermittent exposures over 14 d. Evidence of compromised cellular viability was accompanied by barite analysis revealing concentrations of Cu and Pb well above reference sediments and Norwegian sediment quality guidelines. Metal bioaccumulation in sponge tissues was low and the total organic energy content (determined by the elemental composition of organic tissue) was not affected. Intermittent exposures to barite resulted in less toxicity than continuous exposure to barite. Short term exposures to bentonite did not alter any biomarker responses. This is the first time that these biomarkers have been used to indicate contaminant exposure in an arctic-boreal sponge. Our results illustrate the potential toxicity of barite and the importance of assessments that reflect the ways in which these contaminants are delivered under environmentally realistic conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katelyn J Edge
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Emma L Johnston
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Chowder Bay Rd, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia
| | - Katherine A Dafforn
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Stuart L Simpson
- Centre for Environmental Contaminants Research, CSIRO Land and Water, Locked Bag 2007, Kirrawee, NSW 2232, Australia
| | - Tina Kutti
- Institute of Marine Research, PO Box 1870, 5817 Bergen, Norway
| | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Przeslawski R, Alvarez B, Kool J, Bridge T, Caley MJ, Nichol S. Implications of Sponge Biodiversity Patterns for the Management of a Marine Reserve in Northern Australia. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0141813. [PMID: 26606745 PMCID: PMC4659674 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine reserves are becoming progressively more important as anthropogenic impacts continue to increase, but we have little baseline information for most marine environments. In this study, we focus on the Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve (CMR) in northern Australia, particularly the carbonate banks and terraces of the Sahul Shelf and Van Diemen Rise which have been designated a Key Ecological Feature (KEF). We use a species-level inventory compiled from three marine surveys to the CMR to address several questions relevant to marine management: 1) Are carbonate banks and other raised geomorphic features associated with biodiversity hotspots? 2) Can environmental (depth, substrate hardness, slope) or biogeographic (east vs west) variables help explain local and regional differences in community structure? 3) Do sponge communities differ among individual raised geomorphic features? Approximately 750 sponge specimens were collected in the Oceanic Shoals CMR and assigned to 348 species, of which only 18% included taxonomically described species. Between eastern and western areas of the CMR, there was no difference between sponge species richness or assemblages on raised geomorphic features. Among individual raised geomorphic features, sponge assemblages were significantly different, but species richness was not. Species richness showed no linear relationships with measured environmental factors, but sponge assemblages were weakly associated with several environmental variables including mean depth and mean backscatter (east and west) and mean slope (east only). These patterns of sponge diversity are applied to support the future management and monitoring of this region, particularly noting the importance of spatial scale in biodiversity assessments and associated management strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Przeslawski
- Geoscience Australia, National Earth and Marine Observations Group, GPO Box 378, Canberra, Australia
| | - Belinda Alvarez
- Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, GPO Box 4646, Darwin, Australia
| | - Johnathan Kool
- Geoscience Australia, National Earth and Marine Observations Group, GPO Box 378, Canberra, Australia
| | - Tom Bridge
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB #3, Townsville MC, Townsville, Australia
| | - M. Julian Caley
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB #3, Townsville MC, Townsville, Australia
| | - Scott Nichol
- Geoscience Australia, National Earth and Marine Observations Group, GPO Box 378, Canberra, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Bell JJ, McGrath E, Biggerstaff A, Bates T, Bennett H, Marlow J, Shaffer M. Sediment impacts on marine sponges. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2015; 94:5-13. [PMID: 25841888 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Changes in sediment input to marine systems can influence benthic environments in many ways. Sponges are important components of benthic ecosystems world-wide and as sessile suspension feeders are likely to be impacted by changes in sediment levels. Despite this, little is known about how sponges respond to changes in settled and suspended sediment. Here we review the known impacts of sedimentation on sponges and their adaptive capabilities, whilst highlighting gaps in our understanding of sediment impacts on sponges. Although the literature clearly shows that sponges are influenced by sediment in a variety of ways, most studies confer that sponges are able to tolerate, and in some cases thrive, in sedimented environments. Critical gaps exist in our understanding of the physiological responses of sponges to sediment, adaptive mechanisms, tolerance limits, and the particularly the effect of sediment on early life history stages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James J Bell
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand.
| | - Emily McGrath
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - Andrew Biggerstaff
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - Tracey Bates
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - Holly Bennett
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - Joseph Marlow
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - Megan Shaffer
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|