1
|
Bell JJ, Strano F, Broadribb M, Wood G, Harris B, Resende AC, Novak E, Micaroni V. Sponge functional roles in a changing world. ADVANCES IN MARINE BIOLOGY 2023; 95:27-89. [PMID: 37923539 DOI: 10.1016/bs.amb.2023.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Sponges are ecologically important benthic organisms with many important functional roles. However, despite increasing global interest in the functions that sponges perform, there has been limited focus on how such functions will be impacted by different anthropogenic stressors. In this review, we describe the progress that has been made in our understanding of the functional roles of sponges over the last 15 years and consider the impacts of anthropogenic stressors on these roles. We split sponge functional roles into interactions with the water column and associations with other organisms. We found evidence for an increasing focus on functional roles among sponge-focused research articles, with our understanding of sponge-mediated nutrient cycling increasing substantially in recent years. From the information available, many anthropogenic stressors have the potential to negatively impact sponge pumping, and therefore have the potential to cause ecosystem level impacts. While our understanding of the importance of sponges has increased in the last 15 years, much more experimental work is required to fully understand how sponges will contribute to reef ecosystem function in future changing oceans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James J Bell
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.
| | - Francesca Strano
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Manon Broadribb
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Gabriela Wood
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Ben Harris
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Anna Carolina Resende
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Emma Novak
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Valerio Micaroni
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nelson CE, Wegley Kelly L, Haas AF. Microbial Interactions with Dissolved Organic Matter Are Central to Coral Reef Ecosystem Function and Resilience. ANNUAL REVIEW OF MARINE SCIENCE 2023; 15:431-460. [PMID: 36100218 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-marine-042121-080917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
To thrive in nutrient-poor waters, coral reefs must retain and recycle materials efficiently. This review centers microbial processes in facilitating the persistence and stability of coral reefs, specifically the role of these processes in transforming and recycling the dissolved organic matter (DOM) that acts as an invisible currency in reef production, nutrient exchange, and organismal interactions. The defining characteristics of coral reefs, including high productivity, balanced metabolism, high biodiversity, nutrient retention, and structural complexity, are inextricably linked to microbial processing of DOM. The composition of microbes and DOM in reefs is summarized, and the spatial and temporal dynamics of biogeochemical processes carried out by microorganisms in diverse reef habitats are explored in a variety of key reef processes, including decomposition, accretion, trophictransfer, and macronutrient recycling. Finally, we examine how widespread habitat degradation of reefs is altering these important microbe-DOM interactions, creating feedbacks that reduce reef resilience to global change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Craig E Nelson
- Daniel K. Inouye Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education, Department of Oceanography, and Sea Grant College Program, School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA;
| | - Linda Wegley Kelly
- Marine Biology Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA;
| | - Andreas F Haas
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Texel, The Netherlands;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jonas L, Hill R. Uptake of inorganic and organic phosphorus compounds by two marine sponges and their associated bacterial communities in aquaria. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:6128-6143. [PMID: 36254722 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Marine sponges are abundant filter-feeders in benthic ecosystems and many host copious microorganisms. Sponges and their symbionts have emerged as major players within marine biogeochemical cycles, facilitating uptake and release of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur. Sponge holobionts' role in transforming dissolved carbon and nitrogen is well established; however, the same depth of understanding has not yet been extended to phosphorus. In this aquaria-based study, 32 P-labelled orthophosphate and ATP were used to determine that two sponges, Lendenfeldia chondrodes and Hymeniacidon heliophila, both take up ambient dissolved inorganic phosphate (DIP) and dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP). Subsequent genetic analyses and chemical extraction showed that sponge symbionts have the potential to synthesise polyphosphate (poly-P) and that this energy-rich form of stored phosphorus is present in both sponges. L. chondrodes, an oligotrophic sponge with a microbiome dominated by cyanobacteria, stores more phosphorus as poly-P (6%-8% of total phosphorus) than H. heliophila (0.55%), a eutrophic sponge with low cyanobacterial abundance. DIP/DOP uptake, as well as poly-P storage, may be driven by two factors: cyanobacterial abundance and nutrient availability. Considering their prevalence in phosphorus-limited ecosystems and their ability to pump large amounts of seawater, sponge holobionts are likely to be key players within benthic phosphorus cycles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Jonas
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Russell Hill
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Curdt F, Schupp PJ, Rohde S. Light Availability Affects the Symbiosis of Sponge Specific Cyanobacteria and the Common Blue Aquarium Sponge (Lendenfeldia chondrodes). Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12101283. [PMID: 35625129 PMCID: PMC9137838 DOI: 10.3390/ani12101283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial symbionts in marine sponges play a decisive role in the biological and ecological functioning of their hosts. Although this topic has been the focus of numerous studies, data from experiments under controlled conditions are rare. To analyze the ongoing metabolic processes, we investigated the symbiosis of the sponge specific cyanobacterium Synechococcus spongiarum and its sponge host Lendenfeldia chondrodes under varying light conditions in a defined aquarium setting for 68 days. Sponge clonal pieces were kept at four different light intensities, ranging from no light to higher intensities that were assumed to trigger light stress. Growth as a measure of host performance and photosynthetic yield as a proxy of symbiont photosynthetic activity were measured throughout the experiment. The lack of light prevented sponge growth and induced the expulsion of all cyanobacteria and related pigments by the end of the experiment. Higher light conditions allowed rapid sponge growth and high cyanobacteria densities. In addition, photosynthetically active radiation above a certain level triggered an increase in cyanobacteria’s lutein levels, a UV absorbing protein, thus protecting itself and the host’s cells from UV radiation damage. Thus, L. chondrodes seems to benefit strongly from hosting the cyanbacterium S. spongiarum and the relationship should be considered obligatory mutualistic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Curdt
- Department for Environmental Biochemistry, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment Terramare, Carl-von-Ossietzky University Oldenburg, 26382 Wilhelmshaven, Germany; (F.C.); (P.J.S.)
| | - Peter J. Schupp
- Department for Environmental Biochemistry, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment Terramare, Carl-von-Ossietzky University Oldenburg, 26382 Wilhelmshaven, Germany; (F.C.); (P.J.S.)
- Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, Carl-von-Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Sven Rohde
- Department for Environmental Biochemistry, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment Terramare, Carl-von-Ossietzky University Oldenburg, 26382 Wilhelmshaven, Germany; (F.C.); (P.J.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-(0)-442-194-4215
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
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
|