Cold adaptation and horizontal gene transfer shape Antarctic sponge microbiomes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Marine sponges exhibit wide distribution in tropical, temperate, and polar environments. They host diverse microbiomes important to their survival and ecological roles. Antarctic sponges, thriving in extreme cold environments, harbor unique microbial communities. However, functional differences distinguishing Antarctic sponge microbiomes have been poorly investigated. In this study, we investigated how the functional composition of the microbiomes of Antarctic sponges differs from that of their counterparts in other environments, with a particular focus on functions related to cold adaptation. We also assessed the role of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in driving these functional adaptations.

Results

Antarctic sponge microbiomes displayed a unique functional signa

SUBMITTER: Manrique-de-la-Cuba MF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12659273 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature