Rapid tissue reduction and recovery in the sponge <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aplysinella</Emphasis> sp. |
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Authors: | Carsten Thoms Ute Hentschel Susanne Schmitt Peter J Schupp |
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Institution: | (1) Jena School for Microbial Communication (JSMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jenergasse 8, 07743 Jena, Germany;(2) Research Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Wuerzburg, Roentgenring 11, 97070 Wuerzburg, Germany;(3) University of Guam Marine Laboratory, UOG Station, Mangilao, Guam, 96923, USA |
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Abstract: | We observed a pronounced, yet reversible tissue reduction in the tropical sponge Aplysinella sp. under non-experimental conditions in its natural habitat, after transfer into seawater tanks, as well as after transplantation
from deep to shallow water in the field. Tissue reduction resulted in the formation of small “reduction bodies” tightly attached
to the sponge skeleton. Although volume loss and gain were substantial, both tissue reduction and regeneration were often
remarkably rapid, occurring within few hours. Microscopic analysis of the reduction bodies revealed morphological similarities
to previously described sponge primmorphs, with densely packed archaeocytes and spherulous cells enclosed by a thin layer
of epithelial-like cells. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) revealed pronounced changes in the sponge-associated
microbial community upon tissue reduction during laboratory and field experiments and following changes in ambient conditions
after transplantation in the field. Generally, the microbial community associated with this sponge proved less stable, less
abundant, and less diverse than those of other, previously investigated Verongid sponges. However, one single phylotype was
consistently present in DGGE profiles of Aplysinella sp. This phylotype clustered with γ-proteobacterial sequences found previously in other sponge species of different taxonomic
affiliations and geographic provenances, as well as in sponge larvae. No apparent changes in the total secondary metabolite
content (per dry weight) occurred in Aplysinella sp. upon tissue reduction; however, comparative analysis of intact and reduced tissue suggested changes in the concentrations
of two minor compounds. Besides being ecologically interesting, the tissue reduction phenomenon in Aplysinella sp. provides an experimentally manipulable system for studies on sponge/microbe symbioses. Moreover, it may prove useful
as a model system to investigate molecular mechanisms of basic Metazoan traits in vivo, complementing the in vitro sponge
primmorph system currently used in this context. |
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