Marine Sponges and Natural Products

Temperature-induced shift in the rare microbiota of the sponge Haliclona

This study examines how ocean warming affects the microbiome of the sponge Haliclona sp., finding significant shifts in rare microbiota composition and potential acclimation through microbial symbionts.

Deep-sea siliceous sponges harbor distinct and functionally diverse microbiomes

This study investigates the microbiomes of deep-sea siliceous sponges using shotgun metagenomics, revealing host phylogeny's influence on microbial community structure and metabolic capabilities.

Genetic and Morphological Insights Reveal the Hidden and Colorful Diversity in Oscarella Sponges

The paper identifies four new Oscarella sponge species using genetic and morphological data, highlighting methodological limitations in current taxonomic approaches.

Systematic revision of the family Tetillidae (Porifera: Demospongiae) in the temperate Northeast Pacific

This study revises the sponge family Tetillidae in the Northeast Pacific, identifying new species and uncovering diversity and potential introduction events.

Barcoding-inferred biodiversity of shallow-water Indo-Pacific demosponges

This study uses DNA barcoding data to analyze shallow-water demosponge biodiversity in the Indo-Pacific, revealing patterns of connectivity, endemism, and distribution with higher resolution than previous morphology-based studies.

MALDI-FISH for co-localization of brominated metabolites and Pseudovibrio spp. in Aplysina tissue

The paper uses MALDI-FISH to co-localize brominated metabolites and Pseudovibrio spp. in sponge tissue, suggesting both sponge and microbe may be required for metabolite production.

Early transcription factor activation distinguishes symbiotic from non-symbiotic bacteria during microbiome processing in a sponge

This study identifies early transcription factor activation as a regulatory checkpoint distinguishing symbiotic from non-symbiotic bacteria in sponges.

Taxonomically different symbiotic communities of sympatric Arctic sponge species show functional similarity with specialization at species level

The paper analyzes microbiomes of three sympatric Arctic sponge species, finding functional convergence and specialization within their symbiotic communities, with shifts linked to temperature changes.

A common garden of Halichondria sponges: taxonomic revision of Northeast Pacific Halichondriidae reveals many cryptic introduced species

The paper revises the taxonomy of Halichondria sponges in the Northeast Pacific, revealing many cryptic introduced species through DNA variation analysis.

Characterization and Bioactivity Potential of Marine Sponges (Biemna fistulosa, Callyspongia diffusa, and Haliclona fascigera) from Kenyan Coastal Waters

This study characterizes three marine sponge species and evaluates their extracts for antimicrobial activity against human pathogens, identifying bioactive compounds with potential for drug development.

Combining 13C, 15N, and 2H to measure feeding and metabolic activity in marine, shallow-water sponges - A pilot study

This study measures feeding and metabolic activity in marine sponges using stable isotopes and finds that sponges incorporate 13C, 15N, and 2H into their tissue and PLFAs, with 2H uptake indicating metabolic activity.

Adaptive strategies of Caribbean sponge holobionts beyond the mesophotic zone

This study investigates adaptive strategies of Caribbean sponge holobionts across depth zones using multi-omics analyses, revealing distinct metabolic and microbial adaptations.

The archaeal class Nitrososphaeria is a key player of the reproductive microbiome in sponges during gametogenesis

This study investigates microbial changes in sponge reproductive stages, finding that Nitrososphaeria archaea are significantly associated with microbial composition shifts in species with previtellogenic oocytes.

Dissolved organic matter fluxes and fatty acid composition from shallow-water and deep-water demo- and hexactinellid sponges from New Zealand

This study examines dissolved organic matter (DOM) fluxes and fatty acid composition in New Zealand sponges, finding that some species release TDN and alter FDOM fluorophores, suggesting bacterial involvement in DOM transformation.

The unique and enigmatic spirochete symbiont of latrunculid sponges

This study characterizes spirochete symbionts in latrunculid sponges, finding they are phylogenetically distinct and may provide functional benefits to their host.

Nutrient fluxes, oxygen consumption and fatty acid composition from deep-water demo- and hexactinellid sponges from New Zealand

This study examines nutrient fluxes, oxygen consumption, and fatty acid composition in deep-water sponges from New Zealand, identifying differences in nitrogen cycling and microbial communities among sponge clusters.

Body-plan reorganization in a sponge correlates with microbiome change

This study shows that losing a key microbial symbiont in sponges leads to body plan reorganization and transcriptomic changes, linking microbiome state to host development.

Bacterial symbionts in animal development: arginine biosynthesis complementation enables larval settlement in a marine sponge

The paper shows that bacterial symbionts in Amphimedon queenslandica larvae provide arginine for nitric oxide synthesis, enabling settlement and metamorphosis, and suggests a broader role for symbionts in metazoan development.

Interdependent photo- and chemosensory systems regulate larval settlement in a marine sponge

This study investigates how light and biochemical cues interact to regulate larval settlement in the sponge Amphimedon queenslandica through transcriptomic analysis and settlement assays.