Dataset Information

Diversity, structure and convergent evolution of the global sponge microbiome.

ABSTRACT: Sponges (phylum Porifera) are early-diverging metazoa renowned for establishing complex microbial symbioses. Here we present a global Porifera microbiome survey, set out to establish the ecological and evolutionary drivers of these host-microbe interactions. We show that sponges are a reservoir of exceptional microbial diversity and major contributors to the total microbial diversity of the world's oceans. Little commonality in species composition or structure is evident across the phylum, although symbiont communities are characterized by specialists and generalists rather than opportunists. Core sponge microbiomes are stable and characterized by generalist symbionts exhibiting amensal and/or commensal interactions. Symbionts that are phylogenetically unique to sponges do not disproportionally contribute to the core microbiome, and host phylogeny impacts complexity rather than composition of the symbiont community. Our findings support a model of independent assembly and evolution in symbiont communities across the entire host phylum, with convergent forces resulting in analogous community organization and interactions.

SUBMITTER: Thomas T

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4912640 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Diversity, structure and convergent evolution of the global sponge microbiome.

Thomas Torsten T Moitinho-Silva Lucas L Lurgi Miguel M Björk Johannes R JR Easson Cole C Astudillo-García Carmen C Olson Julie B JB Erwin Patrick M PM López-Legentil Susanna S Luter Heidi H Chaves-Fonnegra Andia A Costa Rodrigo R Schupp Peter J PJ Steindler Laura L Erpenbeck Dirk D Gilbert Jack J Knight Rob R Ackermann Gail G Victor Lopez Jose J Taylor Michael W MW Thacker Robert W RW Montoya Jose M JM Hentschel Ute U Webster Nicole S NS

Nature communications 20160616

Sponges (phylum Porifera) are early-diverging metazoa renowned for establishing complex microbial symbioses. Here we present a global Porifera microbiome survey, set out to establish the ecological and evolutionary drivers of these host-microbe interactions. We show that sponges are a reservoir of exceptional microbial diversity and major contributors to the total microbial diversity of the world's oceans. Little commonality in species composition or structure is evident across the phylum, altho ...[more]

PMID: 27306690

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Dataset Information

Diversity, structure and convergent evolution of the global sponge microbiome.

Publications

Diversity, structure and convergent evolution of the global sponge microbiome.

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