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Luter HM, Laffy P, Flores F, Brinkman DL, Fisher R, Negri AP. Molecular responses of sponge larvae exposed to partially weathered condensate oil. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 199:115928. [PMID: 38141581 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic inputs of petroleum hydrocarbons into the marine environment can have long lasting impacts on benthic communities. Sponges form an abundant and diverse component of benthic habitats, contributing a variety of important functional roles; however, their responses to petroleum hydrocarbons are largely unknown. This study combined a traditional ecotoxicological experimental design and endpoint with global gene expression profiling and microbial indicator species analysis to examine the effects of a water accommodated fraction (WAF) of condensate oil on a common Indo-Pacific sponge, Phyllospongia foliascens. A no significant effect concentration (N(S)EC) of 2.1 % WAF was obtained for larval settlement, while gene-specific (N(S)EC) thresholds ranged from 3.4 % to 8.8 % WAF. Significant shifts in global gene expression were identified at WAF treatments ≥20 %, with larvae exposed to 100 % WAF most responsive. Results from this study provide an example on the incorporation of non-conventional molecular and microbiological responses into ecotoxicological studies on petroleum hydrocarbons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi M Luter
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville 4810, QLD, Australia; AIMS@JCU, Division of Research & Innovation, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, QLD, Australia.
| | - Patrick Laffy
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville 4810, QLD, Australia; AIMS@JCU, Division of Research & Innovation, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, QLD, Australia
| | - Florita Flores
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville 4810, QLD, Australia
| | - Diane L Brinkman
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville 4810, QLD, Australia
| | - Rebecca Fisher
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Crawley 6009, WA, Australia
| | - Andrew P Negri
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville 4810, QLD, Australia; AIMS@JCU, Division of Research & Innovation, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, QLD, Australia
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2
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Whalan S. The role of photobehaviour in sponge larval dispersal and settlement. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287989. [PMID: 37428784 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Deciphering the behavioural ecology of adult (sessile) sponges is challenging. However, their motile larval stages afford opportunities to investigate how behaviour contributes to dispersal and selection of habitat. Light is a fundamental cue contributing to larval sponge dispersal where photoreceptive cells contribute to this process. But how universal is light as a cue to sponge larval dispersal and settlement? Behavioural choice experiments were used to test the effect of light on dispersal and settlement behaviours. Larvae of the tropical sponge species Coscinoderma mathewsi, Luffariella variabilis, Ircinia microconnulosa, and Haliclona sp., from deep (12-15 m) and shallower-water habitats (2-5 m), were used in experiments. Dispersal experiments provided a light-gradient-choice where light represented light attenuation with depth. Light treatments included white light and the spectral components of red and blue light. Settlement experiments comprised a choice between illuminated and shaded treatments. Fluorescence microscopy was used to establish the presence of fluorescent proteins associated with posterior locomotory cilia. Deeper-water species, C. mathewsi and I. microconnulosa discriminate light spectral signatures. Both species changed dispersal behaviour to light spectra as larvae aged. For C. mathewsi positive phototaxis to blue light changed to photophobic responses (all light treatments) after six hours and behaviours in I. microconnulosa changed from positive to negative phototaxis (white light) after six hours. L. variabilis, also a deeper-water species, was negatively phototactic to all light treatments. Larvae from the shallow-water species, Haliclona sp., moved towards all light wavelengths tested. There was no effect of light on settlement of the shallow-water Haliclona sp., but larvae in all three deeper-water species showed significantly higher settlement in shaded treatments. Fluorescence microscopy showed discrete fluorescent bands contiguous to posterior tufted cilia in all four species. These fluorescent bands may play a contributory role in larval photobehaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve Whalan
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia
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3
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Markich SJ, Hall JP, Dorsman JM, Brown PL. Thallium toxicity to temperate and tropical marine organisms: Derivation of water quality guidelines to protect marine life. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 192:114964. [PMID: 37201346 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
A lack of thallium (Tl) toxicity data for marine organisms has hampered the development of water quality guidelines for protecting marine life and assessing ecological hazard/risk. This study assessed the toxicity (EC10/EC50) of Tl in natural seawater (salinity 34 psu and pH 8.05) to 26 functionally diverse marine organisms (19 phyla from five trophic levels) from a variety of temperate and tropical coastal marine habitats. EC10 values ranged from 3.0 μg/L (copepod, Acartia tranteri) to 489 μg/L (cyanobacterium, Cyanobium sp.), while EC50 values ranged from 9.7 μg/L to 1550 μg/L. Thallium(I) was the dominant (86-99 %) oxidation state in test waters across the range of EC10 and EC50 values. Thallium toxicity (EC10/EC50) did not differ between temperate and tropical marine organisms. New, reliable, long-term Tl water quality guidelines were derived using species sensitivity distributions (with model-averaging) to protect marine life in Australia (e.g., 3.9 μg/L for 95 % species protection).
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott J Markich
- Aquatic Solutions International, Long Reef, NSW 2097, Australia; School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia.
| | - Jeremy P Hall
- Aquatic Solutions International, Airlie Beach, QLD 4802, Australia
| | - Jude M Dorsman
- Aquatic Solutions International, Long Reef, NSW 2097, Australia
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4
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Abdul Wahab MA, Ferguson S, Snekkevik VK, McCutchan G, Jeong S, Severati A, Randall CJ, Negri AP, Diaz-Pulido G. Hierarchical settlement behaviours of coral larvae to common coralline algae. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5795. [PMID: 37032381 PMCID: PMC10083175 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32676-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural regeneration of degraded reefs relies on the recruitment of larvae to restore populations. Intervention strategies are being developed to enhance this process through aquaculture production of coral larvae and their deployment as spat. Larval settlement relies on cues associated with crustose coralline algae (CCA) that are known to induce attachment and metamorphosis. To understand processes underpinning recruitment, we tested larval settlement responses of 15 coral species, to 15 species of CCA from the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). CCA in the family Lithophyllaceae were overall the best inducer across most coral species, with Titanoderma cf. tessellatum being the most effective species that induced at least 50% settlement in 14 of the coral species (mean 81%). Taxonomic level associations were found, with species of Porolithon inducing high settlement in the genus Acropora; while a previously understudied CCA, Sporolithon sp., was a strong inducer for the Lobophyllidae. Habitat-specific associations were detected, with CCA collected from similar light environment as the coral inducing higher levels of settlement. This study revealed the intimate relationships between coral larvae and CCA and provides optimal coral-algal species pairings that could be utilized to increase the success of larval settlement to generate healthy spat for reef restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Abdul Wahab
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB No.3, Townsville, QLD, 4810, Australia.
| | - S Ferguson
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB No.3, Townsville, QLD, 4810, Australia
| | - V K Snekkevik
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB No.3, Townsville, QLD, 4810, Australia
| | - G McCutchan
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB No.3, Townsville, QLD, 4810, Australia
| | - S Jeong
- School of Environment and Science, Coastal and Marine Research Centre and Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - A Severati
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB No.3, Townsville, QLD, 4810, Australia
| | - C J Randall
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB No.3, Townsville, QLD, 4810, Australia
| | - A P Negri
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB No.3, Townsville, QLD, 4810, Australia
| | - G Diaz-Pulido
- School of Environment and Science, Coastal and Marine Research Centre and Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia
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5
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Carrier TJ, Maldonado M, Schmittmann L, Pita L, Bosch TCG, Hentschel U. Symbiont transmission in marine sponges: reproduction, development, and metamorphosis. BMC Biol 2022; 20:100. [PMID: 35524305 PMCID: PMC9077847 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01291-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine sponges (phylum Porifera) form symbioses with diverse microbial communities that can be transmitted between generations through their developmental stages. Here, we integrate embryology and microbiology to review how symbiotic microorganisms are transmitted in this early-diverging lineage. We describe that vertical transmission is widespread but not universal, that microbes are vertically transmitted during a select developmental window, and that properties of the developmental microbiome depends on whether a species is a high or low microbial abundance sponge. Reproduction, development, and symbiosis are thus deeply rooted, but why these partnerships form remains the central and elusive tenet of these developmental symbioses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler J Carrier
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany.
- Zoological Institute, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
| | - Manuel Maldonado
- Department of Marine Ecology, Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Girona, Spain
| | | | - Lucía Pita
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
- Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Ute Hentschel
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
- Zoological Institute, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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6
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Freckelton ML, Nedved BT, Cai YS, Cao S, Turano H, Alegado RA, Hadfield MG. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide induces settlement and metamorphosis in a marine larva. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2200795119. [PMID: 35467986 PMCID: PMC9651628 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2200795119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
New surfaces in the sea are quickly populated by dense communities of invertebrate animals, whose establishment and maintenance require site-specific settlement of larvae from the plankton. Larvae selectively settle in sites where they can metamorphose and thrive largely due to inductive cues from bacteria residing on these surfaces. However, the nature of the cues used to identify “right places” has remained enigmatic. Here, we demonstrate that lipopolysaccharide, the main component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria from the bacterium Cellulophaga lytica , induces metamorphosis for a marine worm. We then discuss the likelihood that lipopolysaccharide provides the variation necessary to explain settlement site selectivity for many of the bottom-living invertebrate animals that metamorphose in response to bacterial biofilms. How larvae of the many phyla of marine invertebrates find places appropriate for settlement, metamorphosis, growth, and reproduction is an enduring question in marine science. Biofilm-induced metamorphosis has been observed in marine invertebrate larvae from nearly every major marine phylum. Despite the widespread nature of this phenomenon, the mechanism of induction remains poorly understood. The serpulid polychaete Hydroides elegans is a well established model for investigating bacteria-induced larval development. A broad range of biofilm bacterial species elicit larval metamorphosis in H. elegans via at least two mechanisms, including outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) and complexes of phage-tail bacteriocins. We investigated the interaction between larvae of H. elegans and the inductive bacterium Cellulophaga lytica , which produces an abundance of OMVs but not phage-tail bacteriocins. We asked whether the OMVs of C. lytica induce larval settlement due to cell membrane components or through delivery of specific cargo. Employing a biochemical structure–function approach with a strong ecological focus, the cells and OMVs produced by C. lytica were interrogated to determine the class of the inductive compounds. Here, we report that larvae of H. elegans are induced to metamorphose by lipopolysaccharide produced by C. lytica . The widespread prevalence of lipopolysaccharide and its associated taxonomic and structural variability suggest it may be a broadly employed cue for bacterially induced larval settlement of marine invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brian T. Nedved
- Kewalo Marine Laboratory, University of Hawaiʻi, Honolulu, HI 96813
| | - You-Sheng Cai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, Hilo, HI 96720
- Department of Nephrology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shugeng Cao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, Hilo, HI 96720
| | - Helen Turano
- Department of Oceanography, University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96813
| | - Rosanna A. Alegado
- Department of Oceanography, University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96813
- Sea Grant College Program, University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96813
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7
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Negri AP, Brinkman DL, Flores F, van Dam J, Luter HM, Thomas MC, Fisher R, Stapp LS, Kurtenbach P, Severati A, Parkerton TF, Jones R. Derivation of toxicity thresholds for gas condensate oils protective of tropical species using experimental and modelling approaches. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 172:112899. [PMID: 34523424 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Toxicity thresholds for dissolved oil applied in tropical ocean risk assessments are largely based on the sensitivities of temperate and/or freshwater species. To explore the suitability of these thresholds for tropical habitats we experimentally determined toxicity thresholds for eight tropical species for a partially weathered gas condensate, applied the target lipid model (TLM) to predict toxicity of fresh and weathered condensates and compared sensitivities of the tropical species with model predictions. The experimental condensate-specific hazard concentration (HC5) was 167 μg L-1 total aromatic hydrocarbons (TAH), with the TLM-modelled HC5 (78 μg L-1 TAH) being more conservative, supporting TLM-modelled thresholds for tropical application. Putative species-specific critical target lipid body burdens (CTLBBs) indicated that several of the species tested were among the more sensitive species in the TLM database ranging from 5.1 (coral larvae) to 97 (sponge larvae) μmol g-1 octanol and can be applied in modelling risk for tropical marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P Negri
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville 4810, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Diane L Brinkman
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville 4810, Queensland, Australia
| | - Florita Flores
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville 4810, Queensland, Australia
| | - Joost van Dam
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Casuarina 0811, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Heidi M Luter
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville 4810, Queensland, Australia
| | - Marie C Thomas
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville 4810, Queensland, Australia
| | - Rebecca Fisher
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Crawley 6009, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Laura S Stapp
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Casuarina 0811, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Paul Kurtenbach
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville 4810, Queensland, Australia
| | - Andrea Severati
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville 4810, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Ross Jones
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Crawley 6009, Western Australia, Australia
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8
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Abdul Wahab MA, Wilson NG, Prada D, Gomez O, Fromont J. Molecular and morphological assessment of tropical sponges in the subfamily Phyllospongiinae, with the descriptions of two new species. Zool J Linn Soc 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Sponges in the subfamily Phyllospongiinae are important components of coral reefs. However, significant taxonomic inconsistencies exist in this group due to the lack of useful morphological characters for species delineation. This study assesses the systematics of some common phyllospongiinids in the genera Carteriospongia, Phyllospongia and Strepsichordaia from tropical Australia and the Red Sea, by using a multigene approach that utilizes the Internal Transcribed Spacer 2, the complete ribosomal 18S rRNA and three 28s rRNA gene regions (D1‒D2, D3‒D5 and D6‒D8), which produced a phylogenetic framework in which complementary morphological taxonomic assessments were performed. Type specimens were included, where available, and six species clades were recovered, including the well-established Phyllospongia papyracea and Strepsichordaia lendenfeldi. Carteriospongia foliascens, the type species for the genus Carteriospongia, is transferred to the genus Phyllospongia, resulting in Carteriospongia becoming a synonym of Phyllospongia. Consequently, Carteriospongia flabellifera is removed from Carteriospongia and is reinstated to its original designation of Polyfibrospongia flabellifera. Two new species, Phyllospongia bergquistae sp. nov. and Polyfibrospongia kulit sp. nov., are described. With phyllospongiinid sponges increasingly used as models for assessing the effects of climate change and anthropogenic stressors, this study provides a reliable systematics framework for the accurate identification of common phyllospongiinids across the Indo-Pacific.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nerida G Wilson
- Collections & Research, Western Australian Museum, Locked Bag 49, Welshpool, WA, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Diana Prada
- Collections & Research, Western Australian Museum, Locked Bag 49, Welshpool, WA, Australia
| | - Oliver Gomez
- Collections & Research, Western Australian Museum, Locked Bag 49, Welshpool, WA, Australia
| | - Jane Fromont
- Collections & Research, Western Australian Museum, Locked Bag 49, Welshpool, WA, Australia
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9
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Luter HM, Andersen M, Versteegen E, Laffy P, Uthicke S, Bell JJ, Webster NS. Cross-generational effects of climate change on the microbiome of a photosynthetic sponge. Environ Microbiol 2020; 22:4732-4744. [PMID: 32869905 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Coral reefs are facing increasing pressure from rising seawater temperatures and ocean acidification. Sponges have been proposed as possible winners in the face of climate change; however, little is known about the mechanisms underpinning their predicted tolerance. Here we assessed whether microbiome-mediated cross-generational acclimatization could enable the photosynthetic sponge Carteriospongia foliascens to survive under future climate scenarios. To achieve this, we first established the potential for vertical (cross-generational) transmission of symbionts. Sixty-four amplicon sequence variants accounting for >90% of the total C. foliascens microbial community were present across adult, larval and juvenile life stages, showing that a large proportion of the microbiome is vertically acquired and maintained. When C. foliascens were exposed to climate scenarios projected for 2050 and 2100, the host remained visibly unaffected (i.e. no necrosis/bleaching) and the overall microbiome was not significantly different amongst treatments in adult tissue, the respective larvae or recruits transplanted amongst climate treatments. However, indicator species analysis revealed that parental exposure to future climate scenarios altered the presence and abundance of a small suite of microbial taxa in the recruits, thereby revealing the potential for microbiome-mediated cross-generational acclimatization through both symbiont shuffling and symbiont switching within a vertically acquired microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi M Luter
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, QLD, Townsville, Australia.,School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Maria Andersen
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, QLD, Townsville, Australia.,AIMS@JCU, QLD, Townsville, Australia
| | - Elien Versteegen
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, QLD, Townsville, Australia.,AIMS@JCU, QLD, Townsville, Australia
| | - Patrick Laffy
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, QLD, Townsville, Australia
| | - Sven Uthicke
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, QLD, Townsville, Australia
| | - James J Bell
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Nicole S Webster
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, QLD, Townsville, Australia.,Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, Australia
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10
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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.
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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
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11
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Leys SP, Mah JL, McGill PR, Hamonic L, De Leo FC, Kahn AS. Sponge Behavior and the Chemical Basis of Responses: A Post-Genomic View. Integr Comp Biol 2020; 59:751-764. [PMID: 31268144 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icz122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sponges perceive and respond to a range of stimuli. How they do this is still difficult to pin down despite now having transcriptomes and genomes of an array of species. Here we evaluate the current understanding of sponge behavior and present new observations on sponge activity in situ. We also explore biosynthesis pathways available to sponges from data in genomes/transcriptomes of sponges and other non-bilaterians with a focus on exploring the role of chemical signaling pathways mediating sponge behavior and how such chemical signal pathways may have evolved. Sponge larvae respond to light but opsins are not used, nor is there a common photoreceptor molecule or mechanism used across sponge groups. Other cues are gravity and chemicals. In situ recordings of behavior show that both shallow and deep-water sponges move a lot over minutes and hours, and correlation of behavior with temperature, pressure, oxygen, and water movement suggests that at least one sponge responds to changes in atmospheric pressure. The sensors for these cues as far as we know are individual cells and, except in the case of electrical signaling in Hexactinellida, these most likely act as independent effectors, generating a whole-body reaction by the global reach of the stimulus to all parts of the animal. We found no evidence for use of conventional neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. Intriguingly, some chemicals synthesized by symbiont microbes could mean other more complex signaling occurs, but how that interplay might happen is not understood. Our review suggests chemical signaling pathways found in sponges do not reflect loss of a more complex set.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally P Leys
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9
| | - Jasmine L Mah
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, 165 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Paul R McGill
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, 7700 Sandholdt Road, Moss Landing, CA 95039, USA
| | - Laura Hamonic
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9
| | - Fabio C De Leo
- Ocean Networks Canada, University of Victoria, Queenswood Campus 100-2474 Arbutus Road, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada V8N 1V8.,Department of Biology, University of Victoria, PO Box 3080, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada V8W 2Y2
| | - Amanda S Kahn
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9.,Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, 7700 Sandholdt Road, Moss Landing, CA 95039, USA.,Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, 8272 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing, CA 95039, USA
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Abdul Wahab MA, Maldonado M, Luter HM, Jones R, Ricardo G. Effects of sediment resuspension on the larval stage of the model sponge Carteriospongia foliascens. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 695:133837. [PMID: 31422324 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.133837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Sponges are important components of many marine communities and perform key functional roles. Little is known on the processes that drive larval dispersal and habitat selection in sponges, and in particular under stress scenarios. The increase in sediment in the marine environment is a growing concern for the health of ecosystems, but scarce information exists on the effects of sediment on sponge larvae. This study assessed the effects of suspended and deposited sediment on the larva of Carteriospongia foliascens. A suspended sediment concentration (SSC) of 100 mg L-1 caused homogenisation of the natural pattern of phototactic responses, leading to 100% of photonegative behaviours and a reduction of swim speeds by 27%. After 24 h exposure to suspended sediments, fine particles were found attached to larval cilia, causing abnormal swimming behaviours. Larvae did not have the ability to remove the attached sediment that led to a transformation of the larval body into a cocoon-like morphology and death. Mortality tripled from 3 mg L-1 (9%) to 300 mg L-1 (30%) and the relative SSC EC10 and EC50 values corresponded to 2.6 mg L-1 and 17.6 mg L-1 respectively. Survival, as determined by live swimming larvae, exceeded 50% even in the highest SSC of 300 mg L-1, however settlement success decreased by ~20%. Larvae were able to settle onto substrate having deposited sediment levels (DSLs) up to 3 mg cm-2 (~24%), but recorded a 25 × chance of dislodgement compared to settlers on substrate with DSL of 0.3 mg cm-2. Larvae avoided settling onto substrates with DSLs >10 mg cm-2 and preferentially settled onto alternative vertical substrate that were free of sediment. While C. foliascens larvae have some ability to survive and settle through conditions of elevated sediment, detrimental effects are also clear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Azmi Abdul Wahab
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Arafura Timor Research Facility, Brinkin, NT 0810, Australia.
| | - Manuel Maldonado
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Acceso Cala St. Francesc 14, Blanes 17300, Girona, Spain
| | - Heidi M Luter
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB No. 3, Townsville, QLD 4810, Australia
| | - Ross Jones
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, University of Western Australia (M096), 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Gerard Ricardo
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB No. 3, Townsville, QLD 4810, Australia
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Inducers of settlement and metamorphosis of the shrimp Hippolyte inermis Leach in Posidonia oceanica. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12336. [PMID: 31451728 PMCID: PMC6710271 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48110-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Larvae of the caridean shrimp Hippolyte inermis persist in the plankton of the Mediterranean up to about one month. Since they need to reach appropriate coastal areas for their recruitment in seagrass meadows, we hypothesized that leaves of Posidonia oceanica or, alternatively, algae present in their epiphytic biofilms, might be physically recognised as target substrates and trigger larval metamorphosis and settlement. Chemical cues could improve the finding of suitable habitats for settlement. Thus, the effects of leaves of P. oceanica and biofilms of the diatom Cocconeis scutellum parva, seasonally abundant in the leaf epiphytic stratum, were investigated along with the effect of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) extracted from the epiphytic diatom. The physical induction with P. oceanica accelerated larval settlement, stimulating an earlier and faster metamorphosis of larvae. C. scutellum parva produced a weaker effect on settlement; however, diatom’s VOCs had evident influence and accelerated metamorphosis and settlement. We concluded that such chemical cues as the VOCs produced by epiphytic diatoms, reinforce the effect of physical cues for the identification of suitable settlement locations for this shrimp.
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Abdul Wahab MA, Fromont J, Gomez O, Fisher R, Jones R. Comparisons of benthic filter feeder communities before and after a large-scale capital dredging program. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2017; 122:176-193. [PMID: 28666595 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.06.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Revised: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 06/15/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Changes in turbidity, sedimentation and light over a two year large scale capital dredging program at Onslow, northwestern Australia, were quantified to assess their effects on filter feeder communities, in particular sponges. Community functional morphological composition was quantified using towed video surveys, while dive surveys allowed for assessments of species composition and chlorophyll content. Onslow is relatively diverse recording 150 sponge species. The area was naturally turbid (1.1 mean P80 NTU), with inshore sites recording 6.5× higher turbidity than offshore localities, likely influenced by the Ashburton River discharge. Turbidity and sedimentation increased by up to 146% and 240% through dredging respectively, with corresponding decreases in light levels. The effects of dredging was variable, and despite existing caveats (i.e. bleaching event and passing of a cyclone), the persistence of sponges and the absence of a pronounced response post-dredging suggest environmental filtering or passive adaptation acquired pre-dredging may have benefited these communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Azmi Abdul Wahab
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, The University of Western Australia (M096), 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; Western Australian Marine Science Institution, Entrance 2 Brockway Road, Floreat, Western Australia 6014, Australia.
| | - Jane Fromont
- Western Australian Marine Science Institution, Entrance 2 Brockway Road, Floreat, Western Australia 6014, Australia; Western Australian Museum, Locked Bag 49, Welshpool, Western Australia 6986, Australia.
| | - Oliver Gomez
- Western Australian Marine Science Institution, Entrance 2 Brockway Road, Floreat, Western Australia 6014, Australia; Western Australian Museum, Locked Bag 49, Welshpool, Western Australia 6986, Australia.
| | - Rebecca Fisher
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, The University of Western Australia (M096), 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Ross Jones
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, The University of Western Australia (M096), 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; Western Australian Marine Science Institution, Entrance 2 Brockway Road, Floreat, Western Australia 6014, Australia.
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15
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Bennett HM, Altenrath C, Woods L, Davy SK, Webster NS, Bell JJ. Interactive effects of temperature and pCO 2 on sponges: from the cradle to the grave. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2017; 23:2031-2046. [PMID: 27550825 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Revised: 08/07/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
As atmospheric CO2 concentrations rise, associated ocean warming (OW) and ocean acidification (OA) are predicted to cause declines in reef-building corals globally, shifting reefs from coral-dominated systems to those dominated by less sensitive species. Sponges are important structural and functional components of coral reef ecosystems, but despite increasing field-based evidence that sponges may be 'winners' in response to environmental degradation, our understanding of how they respond to the combined effects of OW and OA is limited. To determine the tolerance of adult sponges to climate change, four abundant Great Barrier Reef species were experimentally exposed to OW and OA levels predicted for 2100, under two CO2 Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs). The impact of OW and OA on early life-history stages was also assessed for one of these species to provide a more holistic view of species impacts. All species were generally unaffected by conditions predicted under RCP6.0, although environmental conditions projected under RCP8.5 caused significant adverse effects: with elevated temperature decreasing the survival of all species, increasing levels of tissue necrosis and bleaching, elevating respiration rates and decreasing photosynthetic rates. OA alone had little adverse effect, even under RCP8.5 concentrations. Importantly, the interactive effect of OW and OA varied between species with different nutritional modes, with elevated pCO2 exacerbating temperature stress in heterotrophic species but mitigating temperature stress in phototrophic species. This antagonistic interaction was reflected by reduced mortality, necrosis and bleaching of phototrophic species in the highest OW/OA treatment. Survival and settlement success of Carteriospongia foliascens larvae were unaffected by experimental treatments, and juvenile sponges exhibited greater tolerance to OW than their adult counterparts. With elevated pCO2 providing phototrophic species with protection from elevated temperature, across different life stages, climate change may ultimately drive a shift in the composition of sponge assemblages towards a dominance of phototrophic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly M Bennett
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, 4810, Qld, Australia
| | - Christine Altenrath
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, 4810, Qld, Australia
- AIMS@JCU, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld, 4811, Australia
| | - Lisa Woods
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand
| | - Simon K Davy
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand
| | - Nicole S Webster
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, 4810, Qld, Australia
| | - James J Bell
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand
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16
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Induction of Invertebrate Larval Settlement; Different Bacteria, Different Mechanisms? Sci Rep 2017; 7:42557. [PMID: 28195220 PMCID: PMC5307369 DOI: 10.1038/srep42557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Recruitment via settlement of pelagic larvae is critical for the persistence of benthic marine populations. For many benthic invertebrates, larval settlement occurs in response to surface microbial films. Larvae of the serpulid polychaete Hydroides elegans can be induced to settle by single bacterial species. Until now, only Pseudoalteromonas luteoviolacea had been subjected to detailed genetic and mechanistic studies. To determine if the complex structures, termed tailocins, derived from phage-tail gene assemblies and hypothesized to be the settlement cue in P. luteoviolacea were present in all inductive bacteria, genomic comparisons with inductive strains of Cellulophaga lytica, Bacillus aquimaris and Staphylococcus warneri were undertaken. They revealed that the gene assemblies for tailocins are lacking in these other bacteria. Negatively stained TEM images confirmed the absence of tailocins and revealed instead large numbers of extracellular vesicles in settlement-inductive fractions from all three bacteria. TEM imaging confirmed for C. lytica that the vesicles are budded from cell surfaces in a manner consistent with the production of outer membrane vesicles. Finding multiple bacteria settlement cues highlights the importance of further studies into the role of bacterial extracellular vesicles in eliciting settlement and metamorphosis of benthic marine larvae.
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Luter HM, Duckworth AR, Wolff CW, Evans-Illidge E, Whalan S. Recruitment Variability of Coral Reef Sessile Communities of the Far North Great Barrier Reef. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0153184. [PMID: 27049650 PMCID: PMC4822782 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the key components in assessing marine sessile organism demography is determining recruitment patterns to benthic habitats. An analysis of serially deployed recruitment tiles across depth (6 and 12 m), seasons (summer and winter) and space (meters to kilometres) was used to quantify recruitment assemblage structure (abundance and percent cover) of corals, sponges, ascidians, algae and other sessile organisms from the northern sector of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Polychaetes were most abundant on recruitment titles, reaching almost 50% of total recruitment, yet covered <5% of each tile. In contrast, mean abundances of sponges, ascidians, algae, and bryozoans combined was generally less than 20% of total recruitment, with percentage cover ranging between 15–30% per tile. Coral recruitment was very low, with <1 recruit per tile identified. A hierarchal analysis of variation over a range of spatial and temporal scales showed significant spatio-temporal variation in recruitment patterns, but the highest variability occurred at the lowest spatial scale examined (1 m—among tiles). Temporal variability in recruitment of both numbers of taxa and percentage cover was also evident across both summer and winter. Recruitment across depth varied for some taxonomic groups like algae, sponges and ascidians, with greatest differences in summer. This study presents some of the first data on benthic recruitment within the northern GBR and provides a greater understanding of population ecology for coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi M Luter
- NAMRA and the Australian Institute of Marine Science, Arafura Timor Research Facility, Darwin, NT, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Alan R Duckworth
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Carsten W Wolff
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Steve Whalan
- Central Caribbean Marine Institute, Little Cayman, Cayman Islands
- Marine Ecology Research Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, Australia
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18
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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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Whalan S, Abdul Wahab MA, Sprungala S, Poole AJ, de Nys R. Larval settlement: the role of surface topography for sessile coral reef invertebrates. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0117675. [PMID: 25671562 PMCID: PMC4324781 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2014] [Accepted: 11/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
For sessile marine invertebrates with complex life cycles, habitat choice is directed by the larval phase. Defining which habitat-linked cues are implicated in sessile invertebrate larval settlement has largely concentrated on chemical cues which are thought to signal optimal habitat. There has been less effort establishing physical settlement cues, including the role of surface microtopography. This laboratory based study tested whether surface microtopography alone (without chemical cues) plays an important contributing role in the settlement of larvae of coral reef sessile invertebrates. We measured settlement to tiles, engineered with surface microtopography (holes) that closely matched the sizes (width) of larvae of a range of corals and sponges, in addition to surfaces with holes that were markedly larger than larvae. Larvae from two species of scleractinian corals (Acropora millepora and Ctenactis crassa) and three species of coral reef sponges (Luffariella variabilis, Carteriospongia foliascens and Ircinia sp.,) were used in experiments. L. variabilis, A. millepora and C. crassa showed markedly higher settlement to surface microtopography that closely matched their larval width. C. foliascens and Ircinia sp., showed no specificity to surface microtopography, settling just as often to microtopography as to flat surfaces. The findings of this study question the sole reliance on chemical based larval settlement cues, previously established for some coral and sponge species, and demonstrate that specific physical cues (surface complexity) can also play an important role in larval settlement of coral reef sessile invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve Whalan
- Marine Ecology Research Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore, 2480, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Muhammad A. Abdul Wahab
- MACRO—the Centre for Macroalgal Resources and Biotechnology, James Cook University, Townsville, 4811, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB 3 Townsville, Queensland, 4810, Australia
- AIMS@JCU, James Cook University, Townsville, 4811, Queensland, Australia
| | - Susanne Sprungala
- ARC Centre for Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, 4811, Queensland, Australia
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Department of Molecular Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, 4811, Queensland, Australia
| | - Andrew J. Poole
- CSIRO Manufacturing Flagship, Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, 3216, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rocky de Nys
- MACRO—the Centre for Macroalgal Resources and Biotechnology, James Cook University, Townsville, 4811, Queensland, Australia
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