Sponges (Porifera) are likely the most ancient animal lineage, and therefore provide a unique insight into the evolutionary history of animal features, such as embryonic development, regeneration and immunity. Because of their well-known associations with microbes, sponges are also particularly well suited as models to study host-microbial interactions.
The microbial component of an organism, known as the microbiome, has been found to play a crucial role in the biology of sponges. Moreover, the microbial community within sponges has been fruitfully mined for bioactive compounds, such as the toxic arenosclerin alkaloids. However, the majority of these studies involved demosponges, with the microbiomes of the remaining lineages, especially calcareous sponges, remaining largely unknown. Further, the mode of transmission of the sponge microbiome and its role in sponge development are not well understood.
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Taking advantage of multiple calcareous sponge genomes sequenced by our group for developmental genomics studies, we have set out to characterise the eukaryotic and prokaryotic microbial composition of several species of calcareous sponges, collected from the Norwegian fjords, and the eastern Australian coast. In particular, we are comparing microbiomes of closely related host species living in geographically distant locations as well as distantly related species living side-by-side. In order to determine the extent of vertical transmission of the microbiome, we are also comparing the calcareous sponge microbiomes between larval, juvenile and adult developmental stages. This study lays the foundations for defining the composition, structure and origin of the calcareous sponge microbiome.
Sponges (Porifera) are likely the most ancient animal lineage, and therefore provide a unique insight into the evolutionary history of animal features, such as embryonic development, regeneration and immunity. Because of their well-known associations with microbes, sponges are also particularly well suited as models to study host-microbial interactions.
The microbial component of an organism, known as the microbiome, has been found to play a crucial role in the biology of sponges. Moreover, the microbial community within sponges has been fruitfully mined for bioactive compounds, such as the toxic arenosclerin alkaloids. However, the majority of these studies involved demosponges, with the microbiomes of the remaining lineages, especially calcareous sponges, remaining largely unknown. Further, the mode of transmission of the sponge microbiome and its role in sponge development are not well understood.
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