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Chai G, Li J, Li Z. The interactive effects of ocean acidification and warming on bioeroding sponge Spheciospongia vesparium microbiome indicated by metatranscriptomics. Microbiol Res 2024; 278:127542. [PMID: 37979302 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2023.127542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Global climate change will cause coral reefs decline and is expected to increase the reef erosion potential of bioeroding sponges. Microbial symbionts are essential for the overall fitness and survival of sponge holobionts in changing ocean environments. However, we rarely know about the impacts of ocean warming and acidification on bioeroding sponge microbiome. Here, the structural and functional changes of the bioeroding sponge Spheciospongia vesparium microbiome, as well as its recovery potential, were investigated at the RNA level in a laboratory system simulating 32 °C and pH 7.7. Based on metatranscriptome analysis, acidification showed no significant impact, while warming or simultaneous warming and acidification disrupted the sponge microbiome. Warming caused microbial dysbiosis and recruited potentially opportunistic and pathogenic members of Nesiotobacter, Oceanospirillaceae, Deltaproteobacteria, Epsilonproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. Moreover, warming disrupted nutrient exchange and molecular interactions in the sponge holobiont, accompanied by stimulation of virulence activity and anaerobic metabolism including denitrification and dissimilatory reduction of nitrate and sulfate to promote sponge necrosis. Particularly, the interaction between acidification and warming alleviated the negative effects of warming and enhanced the Rhodobacteraceae-driven ethylmalonyl-CoA pathway and sulfur-oxidizing multienzyme system. The microbiome could not recover during the experiment period after warming or combined stress was removed. This study suggests that warming or combined warming and acidification will irreversibly destabilize the S. vesparium microbial community structure and function, and provides insight into the molecular mechanisms of the interactive effects of acidification and warming on the sponge microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangjun Chai
- Marine Biotechnology Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jinlong Li
- Marine Biotechnology Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Zhiyong Li
- Marine Biotechnology Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
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Stenvers VI, Hauss H, Bayer T, Havermans C, Hentschel U, Schmittmann L, Sweetman AK, Hoving HJT. Experimental mining plumes and ocean warming trigger stress in a deep pelagic jellyfish. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7352. [PMID: 37990021 PMCID: PMC10663454 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43023-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The deep pelagic ocean is increasingly subjected to human-induced environmental change. While pelagic animals provide important ecosystem functions including climate regulation, species-specific responses to stressors remain poorly documented. Here, we investigate the effects of simulated ocean warming and sediment plumes on the cosmopolitan deep-sea jellyfish Periphylla periphylla, combining insights gained from physiology, gene expression and changes in associated microbiota. Metabolic demand was elevated following a 4 °C rise in temperature, promoting genes related to innate immunity but suppressing aerobic respiration. Suspended sediment plumes provoked the most acute and energetically costly response through the production of excess mucus (at ≥17 mg L-1), while inducing genes related to aerobic respiration and wound repair (at ≥167 mg L-1). Microbial symbionts appeared to be unaffected by both stressors, with mucus production maintaining microbial community composition. If these responses are representative for other gelatinous fauna, an abundant component of pelagic ecosystems, the effects of planned exploitation of seafloor resources may impair deep pelagic biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa I Stenvers
- GEOMAR, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Wischhofstraße 1-3, 24148, Kiel, Germany.
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, P.O. Box 37012, USA.
| | - Helena Hauss
- GEOMAR, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Wischhofstraße 1-3, 24148, Kiel, Germany
- Norwegian Research Centre AS (NORCE), Stavanger, Norway
| | - Till Bayer
- GEOMAR, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Wischhofstraße 1-3, 24148, Kiel, Germany
| | - Charlotte Havermans
- HYIG ARJEL, Functional Ecology, Alfred Wegner Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Ute Hentschel
- GEOMAR, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Wischhofstraße 1-3, 24148, Kiel, Germany
| | - Lara Schmittmann
- GEOMAR, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Wischhofstraße 1-3, 24148, Kiel, Germany
| | - Andrew K Sweetman
- Seafloor Ecology and Biogeochemistry Research Group, Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), Oban, Scotland, UK
| | - Henk-Jan T Hoving
- GEOMAR, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Wischhofstraße 1-3, 24148, Kiel, Germany
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3
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Moeller FU, Herbold CW, Schintlmeister A, Mooshammer M, Motti C, Glasl B, Kitzinger K, Behnam F, Watzka M, Schweder T, Albertsen M, Richter A, Webster NS, Wagner M. Taurine as a key intermediate for host-symbiont interaction in the tropical sponge Ianthella basta. THE ISME JOURNAL 2023; 17:1208-1223. [PMID: 37188915 PMCID: PMC10356861 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01420-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Marine sponges are critical components of marine benthic fauna assemblages, where their filter-feeding and reef-building capabilities provide bentho-pelagic coupling and crucial habitat. As potentially the oldest representation of a metazoan-microbe symbiosis, they also harbor dense, diverse, and species-specific communities of microbes, which are increasingly recognized for their contributions to dissolved organic matter (DOM) processing. Recent omics-based studies of marine sponge microbiomes have proposed numerous pathways of dissolved metabolite exchange between the host and symbionts within the context of the surrounding environment, but few studies have sought to experimentally interrogate these pathways. By using a combination of metaproteogenomics and laboratory incubations coupled with isotope-based functional assays, we showed that the dominant gammaproteobacterial symbiont, 'Candidatus Taurinisymbion ianthellae', residing in the marine sponge, Ianthella basta, expresses a pathway for the import and dissimilation of taurine, a ubiquitously occurring sulfonate metabolite in marine sponges. 'Candidatus Taurinisymbion ianthellae' incorporates taurine-derived carbon and nitrogen while, at the same time, oxidizing the dissimilated sulfite into sulfate for export. Furthermore, we found that taurine-derived ammonia is exported by the symbiont for immediate oxidation by the dominant ammonia-oxidizing thaumarchaeal symbiont, 'Candidatus Nitrosospongia ianthellae'. Metaproteogenomic analyses also suggest that 'Candidatus Taurinisymbion ianthellae' imports DMSP and possesses both pathways for DMSP demethylation and cleavage, enabling it to use this compound as a carbon and sulfur source for biomass, as well as for energy conservation. These results highlight the important role of biogenic sulfur compounds in the interplay between Ianthella basta and its microbial symbionts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian U Moeller
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Microbial Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Craig W Herbold
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Microbial Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Arno Schintlmeister
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Microbial Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Large-Instrument Facility for Environmental and Isotope Mass Spectrometry, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria Mooshammer
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Microbial Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Cherie Motti
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Bettina Glasl
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Microbial Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Kitzinger
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Microbial Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Faris Behnam
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Microbial Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Margarete Watzka
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Terrestrial Ecosystem Research, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Schweder
- Institute of Marine Biotechnology e.V., Greifswald, Germany
- Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Mads Albertsen
- Center for Microbial Communities, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Andreas Richter
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Terrestrial Ecosystem Research, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicole S Webster
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
- Australian Antarctic Division, Kingston, TAS, Australia
| | - Michael Wagner
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Microbial Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Large-Instrument Facility for Environmental and Isotope Mass Spectrometry, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Center for Microbial Communities, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
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4
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Gantt SE, Erwin PM. Effects of sponge-to-sponge contact on the microbiomes of three spatially competing Caribbean coral reef species. Microbiologyopen 2023; 12:e1354. [PMID: 37379422 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Sponges perform important ecosystem functions, host diverse microbial symbiont communities (microbiomes), and have been increasing in density on Caribbean coral reefs over the last decade. Sponges compete for space in coral reef communities through both morphological and allelopathic strategies, but no studies of microbiome impacts during these interactions have been conducted. Microbiome alterations mediate spatial competition in other coral reef invertebrates and may similarly impact competitive outcomes for sponges. In this study, we characterized the microbiomes of three common Caribbean sponges (Agelas tubulata, Iotrochota birotulata, and Xestospongia muta) observed to naturally interact spatially in Key Largo, Florida (USA). For each species, replicate samples were collected from sponges in contact with neighbors at the site of contact (contact) and distant from the site of contact (no contact), and from sponges spatially isolated from neighbors (control). Next-generation amplicon sequencing (V4 region of 16S rRNA) revealed significant differences in microbial community structure and diversity among sponge species, but no significant effects were observed within sponge species across all contact states and competitor pairings, indicating no large community shifts in response to direct contact. At a finer scale, particular symbiont taxa (operational taxonomic units at 97% sequence identity, OTUs) were shown to decrease significantly in some interaction pairings, suggesting localized effects for specific sponge competitors. Overall, these results revealed that direct contact during spatial competition does not significantly alter microbial community composition or structure of interacting sponges, suggesting that allelopathic interactions and competitive outcomes are not mediated by microbiome damage or destabilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelby E Gantt
- Center for Marine Science and Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina, USA
| | - Patrick M Erwin
- Center for Marine Science and Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina, USA
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5
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Schmittmann L, Rahn T, Busch K, Fraune S, Pita L, Hentschel U. Stability of a dominant sponge-symbiont in spite of antibiotic-induced microbiome disturbance. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:6392-6410. [PMID: 36250983 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Marine sponges are known for their complex and stable microbiomes. However, the lack of a gnotobiotic sponge-model and experimental methods to manipulate both the host and the microbial symbionts currently limit our mechanistic understanding of sponge-microbial symbioses. We have used the North Atlantic sponge species Halichondria panicea to evaluate the use of antibiotics to generate gnotobiotic sponges. We further asked whether the microbiome can be reestablished via recolonization with the natural microbiome. Experiments were performed in marine gnotobiotic facilities equipped with a custom-made, sterile, flow-through aquarium system. Bacterial abundance dynamics were monitored qualitatively and quantitatively by 16 S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and qPCR, respectively. Antibiotics induced dysbiosis by favouring an increase of opportunistic, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, resulting in more complex, but less specific bacteria-bacteria interactions than in untreated sponges. The abundance of the dominant symbiont, Candidatus Halichondribacter symbioticus, remained overall unchanged, reflecting its obligately symbiotic nature. Recolonization with the natural microbiome could not reverse antibiotic-induced dysbiosis. However, single bacterial taxa that were transferred, successfully recolonized the sponge and affected bacteria-bacteria interactions. By experimentally manipulating microbiome composition, we could show the stability of a sponge-symbiont clade despite microbiome dysbiosis. This study contributes to understanding both host-bacteria and bacteria-bacteria interactions in the sponge holobiont.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Schmittmann
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, RD3 Marine Ecology, RU Marine Symbioses, Kiel, Germany
| | - Tanja Rahn
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, RD3 Marine Ecology, RU Marine Symbioses, Kiel, Germany
| | - Kathrin Busch
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, RD3 Marine Ecology, RU Marine Symbioses, Kiel, Germany
| | - Sebastian Fraune
- Heinrich-Heine-University, Zoology and Organismic Interactions, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Lucía Pita
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, RD3 Marine Ecology, RU Marine Symbioses, Kiel, Germany.,Institut de Ciències del Mar - CSIC, Marine Biology and Oceanography, Marine Biogeochemistry, Atmosphere and Climate, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ute Hentschel
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, RD3 Marine Ecology, RU Marine Symbioses, Kiel, Germany.,Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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6
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Sugden S, Holert J, Cardenas E, Mohn WW, Stein LY. Microbiome of the freshwater sponge Ephydatia muelleri shares compositional and functional similarities with those of marine sponges. THE ISME JOURNAL 2022; 16:2503-2512. [PMID: 35906397 PMCID: PMC9562138 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-022-01296-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Sponges are known for hosting diverse communities of microbial symbionts, but despite persistent interest in the sponge microbiome, most research has targeted marine sponges; freshwater sponges have been the focus of less than a dozen studies. Here, we used 16 S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and shotgun metagenomics to characterize the microbiome of the freshwater sponge Ephydatia muelleri and identify potential indicators of sponge-microbe mutualism. Using samples collected from the Sooke, Nanaimo, and Cowichan Rivers on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, we show that the E. muelleri microbiome is distinct from the ambient water and adjacent biofilms and is dominated by Sediminibacterium, Comamonas, and unclassified Rhodospirillales. We also observed phylotype-level differences in sponge microbiome taxonomic composition among different rivers. These differences were not reflected in the ambient water, suggesting that other environmental or host-specific factors may drive the observed geographic variation. Shotgun metagenomes and metagenome-assembled genomes further revealed that freshwater sponge-associated bacteria share many genomic similarities with marine sponge microbiota, including an abundance of defense-related proteins (CRISPR, restriction-modification systems, and transposases) and genes for vitamin B12 production. Overall, our results provide foundational information on the composition and function of freshwater sponge-associated microbes, which represent an important yet underappreciated component of the global sponge microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Sugden
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Johannes Holert
- Institute for Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Erick Cardenas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Life Sciences Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - William W Mohn
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Life Sciences Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Lisa Y Stein
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Vargas S, Leiva L, Wörheide G. Short-Term Exposure to High-Temperature Water Causes a Shift in the Microbiome of the Common Aquarium Sponge Lendenfeldia chondrodes. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2021; 81:213-222. [PMID: 32767091 PMCID: PMC7794106 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-020-01556-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Marine sponges harbor diverse microbiomes that contribute to their energetic and metabolic needs. Although numerous studies on sponge microbial diversity exist, relatively few focused on sponge microbial community changes under different sources of environmental stress. In this study, we assess the impact of elevated seawater temperature on the microbiome of cultured Lendenfeldia chondrodes, a coral reef sponge commonly found in marine aquaria. Lendenfeldia chondrodes exhibits high thermal tolerance showing no evidence of tissue damage or bleaching at 5 °C above control water temperature (26 °C). High-throughput sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA V4 region revealed a response of the microbiome of L. chondrodes to short-term exposure to elevated seawater temperature. Shifts in abundance and richness of the dominant bacterial phyla found in the microbiome of this species, namely Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Planctomycetes, and Bacteroidetes, characterized this response. The observed resilience of L. chondrodes and the responsiveness of its microbiome to short-term increases in seawater temperature suggest that this holobiont may be capable of acclimating to anthropogenic-driven sublethal environmental stress via a re-accommodation of its associated bacterial community. This sheds a new light on the potential for resilience of some sponges to increasing surface seawater temperatures and associated projected regime shifts in coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Vargas
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Paleontology & Geobiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Richard-Wagner-Str. 10, 80333, Munich, Germany.
| | - Laura Leiva
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Paleontology & Geobiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Richard-Wagner-Str. 10, 80333, Munich, Germany
- Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Shelf Sea System Ecology, Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, 27498, Helgoland, Germany
| | - Gert Wörheide
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Paleontology & Geobiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Richard-Wagner-Str. 10, 80333, Munich, Germany
- GeoBio-Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Richard-Wagner-Str. 10, 80333, Munich, Germany
- SNSB - Bayerische Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und Geologie, Richard-Wagner-Str. 10, 80333, Munich, Germany
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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
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O'Brien PA, Tan S, Yang C, Frade PR, Andreakis N, Smith HA, Miller DJ, Webster NS, Zhang G, Bourne DG. Diverse coral reef invertebrates exhibit patterns of phylosymbiosis. THE ISME JOURNAL 2020; 14:2211-2222. [PMID: 32444811 PMCID: PMC7608455 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-020-0671-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Microbiome assemblages of plants and animals often show a degree of correlation with host phylogeny; an eco-evolutionary pattern known as phylosymbiosis. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to profile the microbiome, paired with COI, 18S rRNA and ITS1 host phylogenies, phylosymbiosis was investigated in four groups of coral reef invertebrates (scleractinian corals, octocorals, sponges and ascidians). We tested three commonly used metrics to evaluate the extent of phylosymbiosis: (a) intraspecific versus interspecific microbiome variation, (b) topological comparisons between host phylogeny and hierarchical clustering (dendrogram) of host-associated microbial communities, and (c) correlation of host phylogenetic distance with microbial community dissimilarity. In all instances, intraspecific variation in microbiome composition was significantly lower than interspecific variation. Similarly, topological congruency between host phylogeny and the associated microbial dendrogram was more significant than would be expected by chance across all groups, except when using unweighted UniFrac distance (compared with weighted UniFrac and Bray-Curtis dissimilarity). Interestingly, all but the ascidians showed a significant positive correlation between host phylogenetic distance and associated microbial dissimilarity. Our findings provide new perspectives on the diverse nature of marine phylosymbioses and the complex roles of the microbiome in the evolution of marine invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A O'Brien
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia
- AIMS@JCU, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Shangjin Tan
- BGI-Shenzhen, Beishan Industrial Zone, Shenzhen, 518083, China
| | - Chentao Yang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Beishan Industrial Zone, Shenzhen, 518083, China
| | - Pedro R Frade
- Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Nikos Andreakis
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Hillary A Smith
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - David J Miller
- Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Nicole S Webster
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia
- AIMS@JCU, Townsville, QLD, Australia
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Guojie Zhang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Beishan Industrial Zone, Shenzhen, 518083, China.
- Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, China.
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, China.
| | - David G Bourne
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia.
- Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia.
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia.
- AIMS@JCU, Townsville, QLD, Australia.
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10
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Microbial diversity of the glass sponge Vazella pourtalesii in response to anthropogenic activities. CONSERV GENET 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-020-01305-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
AbstractEstablishment of adequate conservation areas represents a challenging but crucial task in the conservation of genetic diversity and biological variability. Anthropogenic pressures on marine ecosystems and organisms are steadily increasing. Whether and to what extent these pressures influence marine genetic biodiversity is only starting to be revealed. Using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, we analysed the microbial community structure of 33 individuals of the habitat-forming glass sponge Vazella pourtalesii, as well as reference seawater, sediment, and biofilm samples. We assessed how two anthropogenic impacts, i.e. habitat destruction by trawling and artificial substrate provision (moorings made of composite plastic), correspond with in situ V. pourtalesii microbiome variability. In addition, we evaluated the role of two bottom fishery closures in preserving sponge-associated microbial diversity on the Scotian Shelf, Canada. Our results illustrate that V. pourtalesii sponges collected from protected sites within fishery closures contained distinct and taxonomically largely novel microbial communities. At the trawled site we recorded significant quantitative differences in distinct microbial phyla, such as a reduction in Nitrospinae in the four sponges from this site and the environmental references. Individuals of V. pourtalesii growing on the mooring were significantly enriched in Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobia and Cyanobacteria in comparison to sponge individuals growing on the natural seabed. Due to a concomitant enrichment of these taxa in the mooring biofilm, we propose that biofilms on artificial substrates may ‘prime’ sponge-associated microbial communities when small sponges settle on such substrates. These observations likely have relevant management implications when considering the increase of artificial substrates in the marine environment, e.g., marine litter, off-shore wind parks, and petroleum platforms.
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Abstract
Larvae of the sponge R. odorabile survived exposure to high concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons; however, their ability to settle and metamorphose was adversely affected at environmentally relevant concentrations, and these effects were paralleled by marked changes in sponge gene expression and preceded by disruption of the symbiotic microbiome. Given the ecological importance of sponges, uncontrolled hydrocarbon releases from shipping accidents or production could affect sponge recruitment, which would have concomitant consequences for reef ecosystem function. Accidental oil spills from shipping and during extraction can threaten marine biota, particularly coral reef species which are already under pressure from anthropogenic disturbances. Marine sponges are an important structural and functional component of coral reef ecosystems; however, despite their ecological importance, little is known about how sponges and their microbial symbionts respond to petroleum products. Here, we use a systems biology-based approach to assess the effects of water-accommodated fractions (WAF) of crude oil, chemically enhanced water-accommodated fractions of crude oil (CWAF), and dispersant (Corexit EC9500A) on the survival, metamorphosis, gene expression, and microbial symbiosis of the abundant reef sponge Rhopaloeides odorabile in larval laboratory-based assays. Larval survival was unaffected by the 100% WAF treatment (107 μg liter−1 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon [PAH]), whereas significant decreases in metamorphosis were observed at 13% WAF (13.9 μg liter−1 PAH). The CWAF and dispersant treatments were more toxic, with decreases in metamorphosis identified at 0.8% (0.58 μg liter−1 PAH) and 1.6% (38 mg liter−1 Corexit EC9500A), respectively. In addition to the negative impact on larval settlement, significant changes in host gene expression and disruptions to the microbiome were evident, with microbial shifts detected at the lowest treatment level (1.6% WAF; 1.7 μg liter−1 PAH), including a significant reduction in the relative abundance of a previously described thaumarchaeal symbiont. The responsiveness of the R. odorabile microbial community to the lowest level of hydrocarbon treatment highlights the utility of the sponge microbiome as a sensitive marker for exposure to crude oils and dispersants. IMPORTANCE Larvae of the sponge R. odorabile survived exposure to high concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons; however, their ability to settle and metamorphose was adversely affected at environmentally relevant concentrations, and these effects were paralleled by marked changes in sponge gene expression and preceded by disruption of the symbiotic microbiome. Given the ecological importance of sponges, uncontrolled hydrocarbon releases from shipping accidents or production could affect sponge recruitment, which would have concomitant consequences for reef ecosystem function.
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12
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Cárdenas CA, Font A, Steinert G, Rondon R, González-Aravena M. Temporal Stability of Bacterial Communities in Antarctic Sponges. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2699. [PMID: 31824467 PMCID: PMC6883807 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine sponges host dense, diverse, and species-specific microbial communities around the globe; however, most of the current knowledge is restricted to species from tropical and temperate waters. Only recently, some studies have assessed the microbiome of a few Antarctic sponges; however, contrary to low mid-latitude sponges, the knowledge about temporal (stability) patterns in the bacterial communities of Antarctic sponges is absent. Here, we studied the temporal patterns of bacterial communities in the Antarctic sponges Mycale (Oxymycale) acerata, Isodictya sp., Hymeniacidon torquata, and Tedania (Tedaniopsis) wellsae that were tagged in situ and monitored during three austral summers over a 24-month period. By using amplicon sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene we found that the microbiome differed between species. In general, bacterial communities were dominated by gammaproteobacterial OTUs; however, M. acerata showed the most distinct pattern, being dominated by a single betaproteobacterial OTU. The analysis at OTU level (defined at 97% sequence similarity) showed a highly stable bacterial community through time, despite the abnormal seawater temperatures (reaching 3°C) and rates of temperature increase of 0.15°C day-1 recorded in austral summer 2017. Sponges were characterized by a small core bacterial community that accounted for a high percentage of the abundance. Overall, no consistent changes in core OTU abundance were recorded for all studied species, confirming a high temporal stability of the microbiome. In addition, predicted functional pathway profiles showed that the most abundant pathways among all sponges belonged mostly to metabolism pathway groups (e.g., amino acid, carbohydrate, energy, and nucleotide). The predicted functional pathway patterns differed among the four sponge species. However, no clear temporal differences were detected supporting what was found in terms of the relatively stable composition of the bacterial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- César A. Cárdenas
- Departamento Científico, Instituto Antártico Chileno, Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - Alejandro Font
- Departamento Científico, Instituto Antártico Chileno, Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - Georg Steinert
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Rodolfo Rondon
- Departamento Científico, Instituto Antártico Chileno, Punta Arenas, Chile
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13
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Moeller FU, Webster NS, Herbold CW, Behnam F, Domman D, Albertsen M, Mooshammer M, Markert S, Turaev D, Becher D, Rattei T, Schweder T, Richter A, Watzka M, Nielsen PH, Wagner M. Characterization of a thaumarchaeal symbiont that drives incomplete nitrification in the tropical sponge Ianthella basta. Environ Microbiol 2019; 21:3831-3854. [PMID: 31271506 PMCID: PMC6790972 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Marine sponges represent one of the few eukaryotic groups that frequently harbour symbiotic members of the Thaumarchaeota, which are important chemoautotrophic ammonia-oxidizers in many environments. However, in most studies, direct demonstration of ammonia-oxidation by these archaea within sponges is lacking, and little is known about sponge-specific adaptations of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA). Here, we characterized the thaumarchaeal symbiont of the marine sponge Ianthella basta using metaproteogenomics, fluorescence in situ hybridization, qPCR and isotope-based functional assays. 'Candidatus Nitrosospongia ianthellae' is only distantly related to cultured AOA. It is an abundant symbiont that is solely responsible for nitrite formation from ammonia in I. basta that surprisingly does not harbour nitrite-oxidizing microbes. Furthermore, this AOA is equipped with an expanded set of extracellular subtilisin-like proteases, a metalloprotease unique among archaea, as well as a putative branched-chain amino acid ABC transporter. This repertoire is strongly indicative of a mixotrophic lifestyle and is (with slight variations) also found in other sponge-associated, but not in free-living AOA. We predict that this feature as well as an expanded and unique set of secreted serpins (protease inhibitors), a unique array of eukaryotic-like proteins, and a DNA-phosporothioation system, represent important adaptations of AOA to life within these ancient filter-feeding animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian U. Moeller
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Microbial EcologyUniversity of ViennaAustria
| | - Nicole S. Webster
- Australian Institute of Marine ScienceTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular BiosciencesUniversity of QueenslandSt LuciaQueenslandAustralia
| | - Craig W. Herbold
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Microbial EcologyUniversity of ViennaAustria
| | - Faris Behnam
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Microbial EcologyUniversity of ViennaAustria
| | - Daryl Domman
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Microbial EcologyUniversity of ViennaAustria
| | - Mads Albertsen
- Center for Microbial Communities, Department of Chemistry and BioscienceAalborg University9220AalborgDenmark
| | - Maria Mooshammer
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Microbial EcologyUniversity of ViennaAustria
| | - Stephanie Markert
- Institute of Marine Biotechnology e.VGreifswaldGermany
- Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyUniversity of GreifswaldGreifswaldGermany
| | - Dmitrij Turaev
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Computational Systems BiologyUniversity of ViennaAustria
| | - Dörte Becher
- Institute of Microbiology, Microbial ProteomicsUniversity of GreifswaldGreifswaldGermany
| | - Thomas Rattei
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Computational Systems BiologyUniversity of ViennaAustria
| | - Thomas Schweder
- Institute of Marine Biotechnology e.VGreifswaldGermany
- Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyUniversity of GreifswaldGreifswaldGermany
| | - Andreas Richter
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Terrestrial Ecosystem ResearchUniversity of ViennaAustria
| | - Margarete Watzka
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Terrestrial Ecosystem ResearchUniversity of ViennaAustria
| | - Per Halkjaer Nielsen
- Center for Microbial Communities, Department of Chemistry and BioscienceAalborg University9220AalborgDenmark
| | - Michael Wagner
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Microbial EcologyUniversity of ViennaAustria
- Center for Microbial Communities, Department of Chemistry and BioscienceAalborg University9220AalborgDenmark
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14
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Turon M, Cáliz J, Triadó-Margarit X, Casamayor EO, Uriz MJ. Sponges and Their Microbiomes Show Similar Community Metrics Across Impacted and Well-Preserved Reefs. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1961. [PMID: 31507568 PMCID: PMC6713927 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sponge diversity has been reported to decrease from well-preserved to polluted environments, but whether diversity and intra-species variation of their associated microbiomes also change as function of environmental quality remains unknown. Our study aimed to assess whether microbiome composition and structure are related to the proliferation of some sponges and not others under degraded conditions. We characterized the most frequent sponges and their associated bacteria in two close areas (impacted and well-preserved) of Nha Trang Bay (Indo-Pacific). Sponge assemblages were richer and more diverse in the well-preserved reefs, but more abundant (individuals/m. transect) in the impacted environments, where two species (Clathria reinwardti and Amphimedon paraviridis) dominated. Sponge microbiomes from the polluted zones had, in general, lower bacterial diversity and core size and consequently, higher intra-species dispersion than microbiomes of sponges from the well-preserved environments. Microbial communities reflect the reduction of diversity and richness shown by their host sponges. In this sense, sponges with less complex and more variable microbiomes proliferate under degraded environmental conditions, following the ecological paradigm that negatively correlates community diversity and environmental degradation. Thereby, the diversity and structure of sponge microbiomes might indirectly determine the presence and proliferation of sponge species in certain habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Maria J. Uriz
- Centre d’Estudis Avançats de Blanes, CEAB-CSIC, Girona, Spain
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15
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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
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16
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Baquiran JIP, Conaco C. Sponge-microbe partnerships are stable under eutrophication pressure from mariculture. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 136:125-134. [PMID: 30509793 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Sponges harbor a great diversity of symbiotic microorganisms. However, environmental stresses can affect this partnership and influence the health and abundance of the host sponges. In Bolinao, Pangasinan, Philippines, chronic input of organic materials from mariculture activities contributes to a eutrophic coastal environment. To understand how these conditions might affect sponge-microbial partnerships, transplantation experiments were conducted with the marine sponge Gelliodes obtusa. High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA revealed that the associated microbial community of the sponges did not exhibit significant shifts after six weeks of transplantation at a eutrophic fish farm site compared to sponges grown at a coral reef or a seagrass area. However, sponges at the fish farm revealed higher abundance of the amoA gene, suggesting that microbiome members are responsive to increased ammonium levels at the site. The stable association between G. obtusa and its microbiome indicates that the sponge holobiont can withstand eutrophication pressure from mariculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake Ivan P Baquiran
- Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
| | - Cecilia Conaco
- Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines.
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17
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Ramsby BD, Hoogenboom MO, Whalan S, Webster NS. Elevated seawater temperature disrupts the microbiome of an ecologically important bioeroding sponge. Mol Ecol 2018; 27:2124-2137. [PMID: 29473977 DOI: 10.1111/mec.14544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Bioeroding sponges break down calcium carbonate substratum, including coral skeleton, and their capacity for reef erosion is expected to increase in warmer and more acidic oceans. However, elevated temperature can disrupt the functionally important microbial symbionts of some sponge species, often with adverse consequences for host health. Here, we provide the first detailed description of the microbial community of the bioeroding sponge Cliona orientalis and assess how the community responds to seawater temperatures incrementally increasing from 23°C to 32°C. The microbiome, identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, was dominated by Alphaproteobacteria, including a single operational taxonomic unit (OTU; Rhodothalassium sp.) that represented 21% of all sequences. The "core" microbial community (taxa present in >80% of samples) included putative nitrogen fixers and ammonia oxidizers, suggesting that symbiotic nitrogen metabolism may be a key function of the C. orientalis holobiont. The C. orientalis microbiome was generally stable at temperatures up to 27°C; however, a community shift occurred at 29°C, including changes in the relative abundance and turnover of microbial OTUs. Notably, this microbial shift occurred at a lower temperature than the 32°C threshold that induced sponge bleaching, indicating that changes in the microbiome may play a role in the destabilization of the C. orientalis holobiont. C. orientalis failed to regain Symbiodinium or restore its baseline microbial community following bleaching, suggesting that the sponge has limited ability to recover from extreme thermal exposure, at least under aquarium conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake D Ramsby
- College of Science and Engineering and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld, Australia.,Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Qld, Australia.,AIMS@JCU, Australian Institute of Marine Science and James Cook University, Townsville, Qld, Australia
| | - Mia O Hoogenboom
- College of Science and Engineering and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld, Australia
| | - Steve Whalan
- Marine Ecology Research Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicole S Webster
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Qld, Australia.,AIMS@JCU, Australian Institute of Marine Science and James Cook University, Townsville, Qld, Australia.,Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
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18
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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.
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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
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19
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Strehlow BW, Pineda MC, Duckworth A, Kendrick GA, Renton M, Abdul Wahab MA, Webster NS, Clode PL. Sediment tolerance mechanisms identified in sponges using advanced imaging techniques. PeerJ 2017; 5:e3904. [PMID: 29158962 PMCID: PMC5694653 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Terrestrial runoff, resuspension events and dredging can affect filter-feeding sponges by elevating the concentration of suspended sediments, reducing light intensity, and smothering sponges with sediments. To investigate how sponges respond to pressures associated with increased sediment loads, the abundant and widely distributed Indo-Pacific species Ianthella basta was exposed to elevated suspended sediment concentrations, sediment deposition, and light attenuation for 48 h (acute exposure) and 4 weeks (chronic exposure). In order to visualise the response mechanisms, sponge tissue was examined by 3D X-ray microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Acute exposures resulted in sediment rapidly accumulating in the aquiferous system of I. basta, although this sediment was fully removed within three days. Sediment removal took longer (>2 weeks) following chronic exposures, and I. basta also exhibited tissue regression and a smaller aquiferous system. The application of advanced imaging approaches revealed that I. basta employs a multilevel system for sediment rejection and elimination, containing both active and passive components. Sponges responded to sediment stress through (i) mucus production, (ii) exclusion of particles by incurrent pores, (iii) closure of oscula and pumping cessation, (iv) expulsion of particles from the aquiferous system, and (v) tissue regression to reduce the volume of the aquiferous system, thereby entering a dormant state. These mechanisms would result in tolerance and resilience to exposure to variable and high sediment loads associated with both anthropogenic impacts like dredging programs and natural pressures like flood events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian W Strehlow
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.,Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.,Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.,Australian Institute of Marine Science, Cape Ferguson, QLD, Australia.,Western Australian Marine Science Institution, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Mari-Carmen Pineda
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Cape Ferguson, QLD, Australia.,Western Australian Marine Science Institution, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Alan Duckworth
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Cape Ferguson, QLD, Australia.,Western Australian Marine Science Institution, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Gary A Kendrick
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.,Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.,Western Australian Marine Science Institution, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Michael Renton
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.,School of Agriculture and Environment, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Muhammad Azmi Abdul Wahab
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Cape Ferguson, QLD, Australia.,Western Australian Marine Science Institution, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Nicole S Webster
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Cape Ferguson, QLD, Australia.,Western Australian Marine Science Institution, Crawley, WA, Australia.,Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Peta L Clode
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.,Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.,Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
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20
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Astudillo-García C, Slaby BM, Waite DW, Bayer K, Hentschel U, Taylor MW. Phylogeny and genomics of SAUL, an enigmatic bacterial lineage frequently associated with marine sponges. Environ Microbiol 2017; 20:561-576. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.13965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Revised: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Astudillo-García
- School of Biological Sciences; University of Auckland; Auckland New Zealand
- Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland; Auckland New Zealand
| | - Beate M. Slaby
- RD3 Marine Microbiology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research; Kiel Germany
- Department of Botany II; Julius-von-Sachs Institute for Biological Sciences, University of Würzburg; Würzburg Germany
| | - David W. Waite
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences; The University of Queensland; QLD, St Lucia Australia
| | - Kristina Bayer
- RD3 Marine Microbiology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research; Kiel Germany
| | - Ute Hentschel
- RD3 Marine Microbiology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research; Kiel Germany
- Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel; Kiel Germany
| | - Michael W. Taylor
- School of Biological Sciences; University of Auckland; Auckland New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland; New Zealand
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21
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Strand R, Whalan S, Webster NS, Kutti T, Fang JKH, Luter HM, Bannister RJ. The response of a boreal deep-sea sponge holobiont to acute thermal stress. Sci Rep 2017; 7:1660. [PMID: 28533520 PMCID: PMC5440399 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-01091-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Effects of elevated seawater temperatures on deep-water benthos has been poorly studied, despite reports of increased seawater temperature (up to 4 °C over 24 hrs) coinciding with mass mortality events of the sponge Geodia barretti at Tisler Reef, Norway. While the mechanisms driving these mortality events are unclear, manipulative laboratory experiments were conducted to quantify the effects of elevated temperature (up to 5 °C, above ambient levels) on the ecophysiology (respiration rate, nutrient uptake, cellular integrity and sponge microbiome) of G. barretti. No visible signs of stress (tissue necrosis or discolouration) were evident across experimental treatments; however, significant interactive effects of time and treatment on respiration, nutrient production and cellular stress were detected. Respiration rates and nitrogen effluxes doubled in responses to elevated temperatures (11 °C & 12 °C) compared to control temperatures (7 °C). Cellular stress, as measured through lysosomal destabilisation, was 2-5 times higher at elevated temperatures than for control temperatures. However, the microbiome of G. barretti remained stable throughout the experiment, irrespective of temperature treatment. Mortality was not evident and respiration rates returned to pre-experimental levels during recovery. These results suggest other environmental processes, either alone or in combination with elevated temperature, contributed to the mortality of G. barretti at Tisler reef.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Strand
- Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Biology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - S Whalan
- Marine Ecology Research Centre, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, 2478, Australia
| | - N S Webster
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Australia
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
| | - T Kutti
- Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
| | - J K H Fang
- Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
| | - H M Luter
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Australia
- Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
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22
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Pineda MC, Strehlow B, Duckworth A, Doyle J, Jones R, Webster NS. Effects of light attenuation on the sponge holobiont- implications for dredging management. Sci Rep 2016; 6:39038. [PMID: 27958345 PMCID: PMC5153652 DOI: 10.1038/srep39038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Dredging and natural sediment resuspension events can cause high levels of turbidity, reducing the amount of light available for photosynthetic benthic biota. To determine how marine sponges respond to light attenuation, five species were experimentally exposed to a range of light treatments. Tolerance thresholds and capacity for recovery varied markedly amongst species. Whilst light attenuation had no effect on the heterotrophic species Stylissa flabelliformis and Ianthella basta, the phototrophic species Cliona orientalis and Carteriospongia foliascens discoloured (bleached) over a 28 day exposure period to very low light (<0.8 mol photons m-2 d-1). In darkness, both species discoloured within a few days, concomitant with reduced fluorescence yields, chlorophyll concentrations and shifts in their associated microbiomes. The phototrophic species Cymbastela coralliophila was less impacted by light reduction. C. orientalis and C. coralliophila exhibited full recovery under normal light conditions, whilst C. foliascens did not recover and showed high levels of mortality. The light treatments used in the study are directly relevant to conditions that can occur in situ during dredging projects, indicating that light attenuation poses a risk to photosynthetic marine sponges. Examining benthic light levels over temporal scales would enable dredging proponents to be aware of conditions that could impact on sponge physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari-Carmen Pineda
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, and Perth, WA, Australia
- Western Australian Marine Science Institution, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Brian Strehlow
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, and Perth, WA, Australia
- Western Australian Marine Science Institution, Perth, WA, Australia
- Centre for Microscopy Characterisation and Analysis, UWA Oceans Institute, and School of Plant Biology: University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Alan Duckworth
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, and Perth, WA, Australia
- Western Australian Marine Science Institution, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Jason Doyle
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, and Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Ross Jones
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, and Perth, WA, Australia
- Western Australian Marine Science Institution, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Nicole S. Webster
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, and Perth, WA, Australia
- Western Australian Marine Science Institution, Perth, WA, Australia
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23
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Abstract
A paradigm shift has recently transformed the field of biological science; molecular advances have revealed how fundamentally important microorganisms are to many aspects of a host’s phenotype and evolution. In the process, an era of “holobiont” research has emerged to investigate the intricate network of interactions between a host and its symbiotic microbial consortia. Marine sponges are early-diverging metazoa known for hosting dense, specific, and often highly diverse microbial communities. Here we synthesize current thoughts about the environmental and evolutionary forces that influence the diversity, specificity, and distribution of microbial symbionts within the sponge holobiont, explore the physiological pathways that contribute to holobiont function, and describe the molecular mechanisms that underpin the establishment and maintenance of these symbiotic partnerships. The collective genomes of the sponge holobiont form the sponge hologenome, and we highlight how the forces that define a sponge’s phenotype in fact act on the genomic interplay between the different components of the holobiont.
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24
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Luter HM, Widder S, Botté ES, Abdul Wahab M, Whalan S, Moitinho-Silva L, Thomas T, Webster NS. Biogeographic variation in the microbiome of the ecologically important sponge, Carteriospongia foliascens. PeerJ 2015; 3:e1435. [PMID: 26713229 PMCID: PMC4690404 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.1435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 11/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Sponges are well known for hosting dense and diverse microbial communities, but how these associations vary with biogeography and environment is less clear. Here we compared the microbiome of an ecologically important sponge species, Carteriospongia foliascens, over a large geographic area and identified environmental factors likely responsible for driving microbial community differences between inshore and offshore locations using co-occurrence networks (NWs). The microbiome of C. foliascens exhibited exceptionally high microbial richness, with more than 9,000 OTUs identified at 97% sequence similarity. A large biogeographic signal was evident at the OTU level despite similar phyla level diversity being observed across all geographic locations. The C. foliascens bacterial community was primarily comprised of Gammaproteobacteria (34.2% ± 3.4%) and Cyanobacteria (32.2% ± 3.5%), with lower abundances of Alphaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, unidentified Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria and Deltaproteobacteria. Co-occurrence NWs revealed a consistent increase in the proportion of Cyanobacteria over Bacteroidetes between turbid inshore and oligotrophic offshore locations, suggesting that the specialist microbiome of C. foliascens is driven by environmental factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi M Luter
- NAMRA and the Research Institute for the Environment & Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University , Darwin, Northern Territory , Australia
| | - Stefanie Widder
- CUBE, Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria
| | - Emmanuelle S Botté
- Australian Institute of Marine Science , Townsville, Queensland , Australia
| | | | - Stephen Whalan
- Marine Ecology Research Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering,Southern Cross University , Lismore, New South Wales , Australia
| | - Lucas Moitinho-Silva
- Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation and School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences,University of New South Wales , Sydney, New South Wales , Australia
| | - Torsten Thomas
- Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation and School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences,University of New South Wales , Sydney, New South Wales , Australia
| | - Nicole S Webster
- Australian Institute of Marine Science , Townsville, Queensland , Australia
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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.
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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
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Luter HM, Gibb K, Webster NS. Eutrophication has no short-term effect on the Cymbastela stipitata holobiont. Front Microbiol 2014; 5:216. [PMID: 24860563 PMCID: PMC4030147 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2014] [Accepted: 04/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Levels of nitrogen in coastal areas have been rapidly increasing due to accumulative inputs of sewage and terrigenous sediments carrying fertilizers. Sponges have an immense filtering capacity and may be directly impacted (positively or negatively) by elevated concentrations of nitrogen. Sponges also host a wide diversity of microbes involved in nitrogen metabolism, yet little is known about the effects of nitrogen loading on these symbiotic partnerships. Manipulative experiments were undertaken to examine the potential effects of excess nitrogen (up to 240 μM) on microbial symbiosis in the abundant sponge species Cymbastela stipitata. Microbial composition and activity were examined using 454-pyrotag sequencing of DNA- and RNA-derived samples. Despite the high levels of nitrogen exposure (up to 124-fold above ambient), sponges appeared visibly unaffected at all treatment concentrations. At the phylum level, the microbial community was consistent between all sponge samples regardless of nitrogen treatment, with Cyanobacteria and Thaumarchaeota being the dominant taxa. Higher microbial diversity was observed at the operational taxonomic units (OTU) level (97% sequence similarity), with only 40% of OTUs shared between samples from all treatments. However, a single cyanobacterial OTU dominated the community of all individuals (average 73.5%) and this OTU did not vary with nitrogen treatment. The conserved microbial community in all sponges irrespective of nitrogen treatment highlights the stability of the sponge-microbe relationship and indicates that the holobiont is resistant to short pulses of nitrogen at levels mimicking sewage effluent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi M Luter
- North Australia Marine Research Alliance and Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University Darwin, NT, Australia
| | - Karen Gibb
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University Darwin, NT, Australia
| | - Nicole S Webster
- Australian Institute of Marine Science Townsville, QLD, Australia
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Webster NS, Negri AP, Flores F, Humphrey C, Soo R, Botté ES, Vogel N, Uthicke S. Near-future ocean acidification causes differences in microbial associations within diverse coral reef taxa. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2013; 5:243-51. [PMID: 23584968 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.12006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2012] [Revised: 09/27/2012] [Accepted: 10/01/2012] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Microorganisms form symbiotic partnerships with a diverse range of marine organisms and can be critical to the health and survival of their hosts. Despite the importance of these relationships, the sensitivity of symbiotic microbes to ocean acidification (OA) is largely unknown and this needs to be redressed to adequately predict marine ecosystem resilience in a changing climate. We adopted a profiling approach to explore the sensitivity of microbes associated with coral reef biofilms and representatives of three ecologically important calcifying invertebrate phyla [corals, foraminifera and crustose coralline algae (CCA)] to OA. The experimental design for this study comprised four pHs consistent with current IPCC predictions for the next few centuries (pHNIST 8.1, 7.9, 7.7, 7.5); these pH/pCO₂ conditions were produced in flow-through aquaria using CO₂ bubbling. All reduced pH/increased pCO₂ treatments caused clear differences in the microbial communities associated with coral, foraminifera, CCA and reef biofilms over 6 weeks, while no visible signs of host stress were detected over this period. The microbial communities of coral, foraminifera, CCA and biofilms were significantly different between pH 8.1 (pCO₂ = 464 μatm) and pH 7.9 (pCO₂ = 822 μatm), a concentration likely to be exceeded by the end of the present century. This trend continued at lower pHs/higher pCO₂. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed variable and species-specific changes in the microbial communities with no microbial taxa consistently present or absent from specific pH treatments. The high sensitivity of coral, foraminifera, CCA and biofilm microbes to OA conditions projected to occur by 2100 is a concern for reef ecosystems and highlights the need for urgent research to assess the implications of microbial shifts for host health and coral reef processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- N S Webster
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Qld, Australia.
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Webster N, Pantile R, Botté E, Abdo D, Andreakis N, Whalan S. A complex life cycle in a warming planet: gene expression in thermally stressed sponges. Mol Ecol 2013; 22:1854-68. [PMID: 23379529 DOI: 10.1111/mec.12213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2012] [Revised: 12/06/2012] [Accepted: 12/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Sponges are abundant, diverse and functionally important components of aquatic biotopes with crucial associations for many reef fish and invertebrates. Sponges have strict temperature optima, and mass mortality events have occurred after unusually high temperatures. To assess how sponges may adapt to thermal stress associated with a changing climate, we applied gene expression profiling to both stages of their bipartite life cycles. Adult Rhopaloeides odorabile are highly sensitive to thermal stress (32 °C), yet their larvae can withstand temperatures up to 36 °C. Here, we reveal the molecular mechanisms that underpin these contrasting thermal tolerances, which may provide sponges with a means to successfully disperse into cooler waters. Heat shock protein 70 was induced by increasing temperature in adult sponges, and genes involved in important biological functions including cytoskeleton rearrangement, signal transduction, protein synthesis/degradation, oxidative stress and detoxification were all negatively correlated with temperature. Conversely, gene expression in larvae was not significantly affected until 36 °C when a stress response involving extremely rapid activation of heat shock proteins occurred. This study provides the first transcriptomic assessment of thermal stress on both life history stages of a marine invertebrate facilitating better predictions of the long-term consequences of climate change for sponge population dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Webster
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Qld, Australia.
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Webster NS, Luter HM, Soo RM, Botté ES, Simister RL, Abdo D, Whalan S. Same, same but different: symbiotic bacterial associations in GBR sponges. Front Microbiol 2013; 3:444. [PMID: 23346080 PMCID: PMC3548243 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2012.00444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2012] [Accepted: 12/31/2012] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Symbioses in marine sponges involve diverse consortia of microorganisms that contribute to the health and ecology of their hosts. The microbial communities of 13 taxonomically diverse Great Barrier Reef (GBR) sponge species were assessed by DGGE and 16S rRNA gene sequencing to determine intra and inter species variation in bacterial symbiont composition. Microbial profiling revealed communities that were largely conserved within different individuals of each species with intra species similarity ranging from 65–100%. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the communities were dominated by Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Nitrospira, and Cyanobacteria. Sponge-associated microbes were also highly host-specific with no operational taxonomic units (OTUs) common to all species and the most ubiquitous OTU found in only 5 of the 13 sponge species. In total, 91% of the OTUs were restricted to a single sponge species. However, GBR sponge microbes were more closely related to other sponge-derived bacteria than they were to environmental communities with sequences falling within 50 of the 173 previously defined sponge-(or sponge-coral) specific sequence clusters (SC). These SC spanned the Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, Cyanobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, Nitrospira, and the Planctomycetes-Verrucomicrobia-Chlamydiae superphylum. The number of sequences assigned to these sponge-specific clusters across all species ranged from 0 to 92%. No relationship between host phylogeny and symbiont communities were observed across the different sponge orders, although the highest level of similarity was detected in two closely related Xestospongia species. This study identifies the core microbial inhabitants in a range of GBR sponges thereby providing the basis for future studies on sponge symbiotic function and research aiming to predict how sponge holobionts will respond to environmental perturbation.
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Affiliation(s)
- N S Webster
- Australian Institute of Marine Science Townsville, QLD, Australia
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