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Growth and dynamics of Hemimycale columella

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Universitat de Barcelona. Facultat de Biologia

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[eng]  The study mainly focuses on the phylogeny, biology, and ecology of Hemimycale columella, a common Atlanto-Mediterranean sponge, and its symbiosis with a calcifying bacterium (calcibacteria), which results in the formation of abundant calcareous spherules. Posteriorly, additional sponge species were incorporated to the study to better understand the H. columella phylogeny and the potential relevance of its particular symbiosis across demosponges. To assess whether some observed differences between populations of H. columella were due to the existence of two morphologically cryptic species, we performed phylogenetic analyses of individuals collected across the Mediterranean Sea with several molecular markers. The results demonstrated the presence of two cryptic species among what was considered to be H. columella. The new species was described as Hemimycale mediterranea. We studied the life history, growth rates, and survival of the two species and characterised simultaneously the environmental variables at the respective species habitats. H. mediterranea had an annual cycle and its growth rates were the highest in summer. H. columella showed a multiannual span with the highest growth rates in cold months. The possible contrasting biological traits of cryptic species highlight the relevance of correct species identification to an adequate management and conservation of benthic ecosystems. Furthermore, the distribution and accumulation of calcibacteria in H. columella tissues was studied by designing a specific probe, performing  CARD-FISH experiments, and observing hybridization through epifluorescence and confocal microscopes. Ultrastructure analyses through Scanning and Transmission Electron microscopes helped to localise and understand the symbiosis. The calcibacterium accumulated at the sponge periphery forming a kind of exoskeleton that protected the sponge from potential predators, as proved by field and laboratory experiments. To determine the taxonomic affiliation of the symbiotic bacteria and their geographical and taxonomical distribution across demosponges, we analysed the microbiomes of seven sponge species that harbour calcareous spherules similar to those of H. columella from warm and temperate seas. We demonstrated that calcibacteria were also present   in sponge species others than H. columella, besides in two corals and seawater. The wide distribution of this symbiosis reinforces the hypothesis of a purported implication of bacteria in the skeletonization of some Early Metazoa. At least seven calcibacteria OTUs were identified forming a well-supported clade within the SAR116 group in the Alpha-proteobacteria Class. However, any of these OTUs was present in the species H. mediterranea, although it also harboured  a  huge  amount  of  calcareous  spherules,  similar  to  those  of  H.  columella.      The
 
calcibacterium of the new species H. mediterranea seems to belong to the Beta-proteobacteria Class, what indicates that other phylogentically apart bacteria living within sponges may also be able to calcify.

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[spa]  El estudio se centra la filogenia, biología y ecología de la demosponja Hemimycale columella y su simbiosis con una bacteria calcificadora (calcibacteria). Posteriormente se incorporaron otras  especies para entender tanto la filogenia de H. columella como la relevancia de esta simbiosis en       las demosponjas. Para confirmar si las diferencias biológicas observadas entre poblaciones de H. columella se debían a la presencia de  dos  especies  morfológicamente  crípticas,  se  realizaron  análisis filogenéticos. Los resultados demostraron la presencia  de  dos  especies  crípticas.  La  nueva especie se ha descrito  bajo  el  nombre  de  Hemimycale  mediterránea.  Se  estudió  el  ciclo  de vida y supervivencia de ambas especies y se caracterizaron las principales variables tróficas de       sus hábitats. H. mediterranea tiene un ciclo anual, y sus tasas  de  crecimiento  son  mas  altas  en verano. H. columella presenta un ciclo de  vida  multianual  con  tasas  de  crecimiento  mayores  en  los meses fríos.  La diferente biología de especies crípticas  pone de manifiesto la importancia de  una correcta identificación taxonómica para una adecuada política de conservación de los ecosistemas bentónicos. La potencial acumulación de la  calcibacteria  en  la  periferia  de  H. columella se estudió mediante el diseño de una sonda especifica, experimentos de CARD-FISH, microscopía de epifluorescencia y confocal y análisis utrastructurales. Demostramos que la calcibacteria forma un tipo de exoesqueleto en H. columella, con clara función antidepredadora (probado experimentalmente en el laboratorio y  en  el  mar).  Para  conocer  la  afiliación taxónomica y distribución geográfica de esta particular simbiosis, se analizaron los microbiomas     de siete especies de esponjas de mares templados y cálidos que presentaban  esférulas calcáreas  como las observadas en H. columella, mediante secuenciación masiva.  Se  probó  que  las calcibacterias están presentes en otras especies de esponjas, corales y en el agua de mar  de  diferentes latitudes, lo que refuerza la hipótesis de la posible implicación bacteriana  en  la  formación de algunos esqueletos en los metazoos primitivos. La calcibacteria identificada en H. columella pertenece al  grupo  SAR116  (clase  Alpha-proteobacteria).  Sin  embargo  la  calcibacteria de la nueva especie H. mediterranea, parece pertenecer  a  la  clase  Beta-proteobacteria  lo  que  sugiere que existen otras bacterias calcificadoras filogenéticamente distantes.

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Growth and dynamics of Hemimycale columella