Adaptive strategies of Caribbean sponge holobionts beyond the mesophotic zone
Abstract Background Marine sponges and their microbiomes function together as holobionts, playing essential roles in ecosystem dynamics and exhibiting remarkable adaptability across depth gradients. This study utilized a multi-omics approach, integrating microbiome and metabolome analyses, to invest...
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Microbiome |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-025-02146-2 |
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| author | Benoît Paix Alexane Thivet Celso Domingos Özlem Erol Niels van der Windt Young H. Choi Nicole J. de Voogd |
| author_facet | Benoît Paix Alexane Thivet Celso Domingos Özlem Erol Niels van der Windt Young H. Choi Nicole J. de Voogd |
| author_sort | Benoît Paix |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Marine sponges and their microbiomes function together as holobionts, playing essential roles in ecosystem dynamics and exhibiting remarkable adaptability across depth gradients. This study utilized a multi-omics approach, integrating microbiome and metabolome analyses, to investigate adaptive strategies in sponge holobionts inhabiting the mesophotic (80–125 m), upper-rariphotic (125–200 m), and lower-rariphotic (200–305 m) zones of Curaçao. We hypothesized that depth-related environmental factors drive distinct adaptive strategies, similar to patterns observed in fish and coral assemblages. Results Results revealed major differences in holometabolomes and microbial communities between Demospongiae and Hexactinellida sponges, reflecting class-specific adaptive strategies. Notably, phospholipid homeoviscous adaptation to temperature and pressure might emerge as a key mechanism in phosphorus metabolism. Adaptations in nitrogen metabolism were linked to diverse ammonia oxidizing archaea (AOA) symbionts, and dissolved organic matter cycling. Hexactinellid microbiomes exhibited intra-specific heterogeneity; however, species-specific associations with AOA symbionts such as Cenarchaeum and Nitrosopumilus were observed. Additionally, the lower-rariphotic hexactinellid holometabolomes highlighted the significance of the nested ecosystem concept through the identification of secondary metabolites produced by their associated fauna (aphrocallistins by zoanthids and xanthurenic acid by shrimp). Conclusions This study highlights the ecological significance of sponge holobionts in mesophotic and rariphotic ecosystems, revealing diverse adaptations to unique physicochemical conditions and biotic interactions. Video Abstract |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d2a340e7f880401093fc0d3b30b68691 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2049-2618 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microbiome |
| spelling | doaj-art-d2a340e7f880401093fc0d3b30b686912025-08-20T03:45:34ZengBMCMicrobiome2049-26182025-07-0113112210.1186/s40168-025-02146-2Adaptive strategies of Caribbean sponge holobionts beyond the mesophotic zoneBenoît Paix0Alexane Thivet1Celso Domingos2Özlem Erol3Niels van der Windt4Young H. Choi5Nicole J. de Voogd6UMR CARRTEL, INRAE-Université Savoie Mont-BlancNaturalis Biodiversity CenterCIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of PortoInstitute of Biology (IBL), Leiden UniversityNaturalis Biodiversity CenterInstitute of Biology (IBL), Leiden UniversityNaturalis Biodiversity CenterAbstract Background Marine sponges and their microbiomes function together as holobionts, playing essential roles in ecosystem dynamics and exhibiting remarkable adaptability across depth gradients. This study utilized a multi-omics approach, integrating microbiome and metabolome analyses, to investigate adaptive strategies in sponge holobionts inhabiting the mesophotic (80–125 m), upper-rariphotic (125–200 m), and lower-rariphotic (200–305 m) zones of Curaçao. We hypothesized that depth-related environmental factors drive distinct adaptive strategies, similar to patterns observed in fish and coral assemblages. Results Results revealed major differences in holometabolomes and microbial communities between Demospongiae and Hexactinellida sponges, reflecting class-specific adaptive strategies. Notably, phospholipid homeoviscous adaptation to temperature and pressure might emerge as a key mechanism in phosphorus metabolism. Adaptations in nitrogen metabolism were linked to diverse ammonia oxidizing archaea (AOA) symbionts, and dissolved organic matter cycling. Hexactinellid microbiomes exhibited intra-specific heterogeneity; however, species-specific associations with AOA symbionts such as Cenarchaeum and Nitrosopumilus were observed. Additionally, the lower-rariphotic hexactinellid holometabolomes highlighted the significance of the nested ecosystem concept through the identification of secondary metabolites produced by their associated fauna (aphrocallistins by zoanthids and xanthurenic acid by shrimp). Conclusions This study highlights the ecological significance of sponge holobionts in mesophotic and rariphotic ecosystems, revealing diverse adaptations to unique physicochemical conditions and biotic interactions. Video Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-025-02146-2Multi-omicsSpongesMicrobiomeMetabolomeDepthRariphotic |
| spellingShingle | Benoît Paix Alexane Thivet Celso Domingos Özlem Erol Niels van der Windt Young H. Choi Nicole J. de Voogd Adaptive strategies of Caribbean sponge holobionts beyond the mesophotic zone Microbiome Multi-omics Sponges Microbiome Metabolome Depth Rariphotic |
| title | Adaptive strategies of Caribbean sponge holobionts beyond the mesophotic zone |
| title_full | Adaptive strategies of Caribbean sponge holobionts beyond the mesophotic zone |
| title_fullStr | Adaptive strategies of Caribbean sponge holobionts beyond the mesophotic zone |
| title_full_unstemmed | Adaptive strategies of Caribbean sponge holobionts beyond the mesophotic zone |
| title_short | Adaptive strategies of Caribbean sponge holobionts beyond the mesophotic zone |
| title_sort | adaptive strategies of caribbean sponge holobionts beyond the mesophotic zone |
| topic | Multi-omics Sponges Microbiome Metabolome Depth Rariphotic |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-025-02146-2 |
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