Microbes from Mum: symbiont transmission in the tropical reef sponge Ianthella basta

• DOI: 10.1038/s43705-022-00173-w
• Publication Date: 2022-09-27T06:03:04Z
• Authors: J Pamela Engelberts; Muhammad A Abdul ...; Manuel Maldonado; Laura Rix; Emma Marangon; Steven J Robbins; Michael Wagner; Nicole S Webster
• Keywords: Obligate; Sponge; Symbiotic bacteria

Most marine sponge species harbour distinct communities of microorganisms which contribute to various aspects their host's health and physiology. In addition key roles in nutrient transformations chemical defence, these symbiotic microbes can shape phenotype by mediating important developmental stages influencing the environmental tolerance host. However, characterisation each microbial taxon throughout a sponge's life cycle remains challenging, with several hosting up 3000 species. Ianthella basta, an abundant broadcast spawning Indo-Pacific, is emerging model for symbiosis research as it harbours only three dominant symbionts: Thaumarchaeotum, Gammaproteobacterium, Alphaproteobacterium. Here, we successfully spawned characterised its mode reproduction, used 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, fluorescence situ hybridisation, transmission electron microscopy characterise community cycle. We confirmed I. basta being gonochoric showed that symbionts, together make >90% microbiome according abundance, are vertically transmitted from mother offspring unique method involving encapsulation peri-oocytic space, suggesting obligate relationship between