Dataset Information

Sponge exudates influence coral reef picoplankton dynamics

ABSTRACT: Coral reef sponges efficiently take up particulate and dissolved organic matter (DOM) from the water column and release compounds such as nucleosides, amino acids, and other dissolved metabolites to the surrounding reef via their exhalent seawater, but the influence of this process on reef picoplankton and nutrient processing is relatively unexplored. Here we examined the impact of sponge exhalent on the reef picoplankon community and subsequent alterations to the reef dissolved metabolite pool. We exposed reef picoplankton communities to a sponge exhalent water mixture (Niphates digitalis and Xestospongia muta) or filtered reef seawater (control) in closed, container-based dark incubations. We used 16S rRNA gene sequencing and flow cytometry-based cell counts to examine the picoplankton community and metabolomics and other analyses to examine the dissolved metabolite pool. The initial sponge exhalent was enriched in adenosine, inosine, chorismate, humic-like and amino acid-like components, and ammonium. Following 48 h of exposure to sponge exhalent, the picoplankton differed in composition, were reduced in diversity, showed doubled (or higher) growth efficiencies, and harbored increased copiotrophic and denitrifying taxa (Marinomonas, Pontibacterium, Aliiroseovarius) compared to control, reef-water based incubations. Alongside these picoplankton alterations, the sponge treatments, relative to seawater controls, had decreased adenosine, inosine, tryptophan, and ammonium, metabolites that may support the observed higher picoplankton growth efficiencies. Sponge treatments also had a net increase in several monosaccharides and other metabolites including anthranilate, riboflavin, nitrite, and nitrate. Our work demonstrates a link between sponge exhalent-associated metabolites and the picoplankton community, with exhalent water supporting an increased abundance of efficient, copiotrophic taxa that catabolize complex nutrients. The copiotrophic taxa were often different from those observed in previous algae and coral studies. These results have implications for better understanding the multifaceted role of sponges on picoplankton biomass with subsequent potential impacts to coral and other planktonic feeders in oligotrophic reef environments.

INSTRUMENT(S): Liquid Chromatography MS - positive - reverse phase

PROVIDER: MTBLS5747 | MetaboLights | 2026-01-12

REPOSITORIES: MetaboLights

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			Action	DRS
	mtab_Fiore_sponge_2021_0623_100.mzML	Mzml
	mtab_Fiore_sponge_2021_0623_100.raw	Raw
	mtab_Fiore_sponge_2021_0623_103.mzML	Mzml
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	mtab_Fiore_sponge_2021_0623_109.mzML	Mzml

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Sponge exhalent metabolites influence coral reef picoplankton dynamics.

Reigel Alicia M AM Easson Cole G CG Fiore Cara L CL Apprill Amy A

Scientific reports 20241228 1

Coral reef sponges efficiently take up particulate and dissolved organic matter (DOM) from the water column and release compounds such as nucleosides, amino acids, and other dissolved metabolites to the surrounding reef via their exhalent seawater, but the influence of this process on reef picoplankton and nutrient processing is relatively unexplored. Here we examined the impact of sponge exhalent on the reef picoplankon community and subsequent alterations to the reef dissolved metabolite pool. ...[more]

PMID: 39733106

Similar Datasets

Project description:Sponges are efficient filter feeders, removing significant portions of particulate and dissolved organic matter (POM, DOM) from the water column. While the assimilation and respiration of POM and DOM by sponges and their abundant microbial symbiont communities have received much attention, there is virtually no information on the impact of sponge holobiont metabolism on the composition of DOM at a molecular-level. We applied untargeted and targeted metabolomics techniques to characterize DOM in seawater samples prior to entering the sponge (inhalant reef water), in samples exiting the sponge (exhalent seawater), and in samples collected just outside the reef area (off reef seawater). Samples were collected from two sponge species, Ircinia campana and Spheciospongia vesparium, on a near-shore hard bottom reef in the Florida Keys. Metabolic profiles generated from untargeted metabolomics analysis indicated that many more compounds were enhanced in the exhalent samples than in the inhalant samples. Targeted metabolomics analysis revealed differences in diversity and concentration of metabolites between exhalent and off reef seawater. For example, most of the nucleosides were enriched in the exhalent seawater, while the aromatic amino acids, caffeine and the nucleoside xanthosine were elevated in the off reef water samples. Although the metabolic profile of the exhalent seawater was unique, the impact of sponge metabolism on the overall reef DOM profile was spatially limited in our study. There were also no significant differences in the metabolic profiles of exhalent water between the two sponge species, potentially indicating that there is a characteristic DOM profile in the exhalent seawater of Caribbean sponges. Additional work is needed to determine whether the impact of sponge DOM is greater in habitats with higher sponge cover and diversity. This work provides the first insight into the molecular-level impact of sponge holobiont metabolism on reef DOM and establishes a foundation for future experimental studies addressing the influence of sponge-derived DOM on chemical and ecological processes in coral reef ecosystems.

Project description:Benthic organisms sustain coral reefs through their growth and metabolism, but less is known about how their released metabolites influence reef seawater microorganisms. To investigate metabolite composition of benthic exudates and their ecological significance for reef microbial communities, we harvested exudates from six species of Caribbean benthic organisms including stony corals, octocorals, and an invasive encrusting algae, and subjected these exudates to untargeted and targeted metabolomics approaches using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Incubations with reef seawater microorganisms were conducted to monitor changes in microbial community composition using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and abundance in relation to exudate source and three specific metabolites. Exudates tended to be enriched in amino acids, nucleosides, and vitamins, indicating that benthic organisms contribute labile organic matter to reefs. The phytohormone indole-3-acetic acid was detected in octocoral exudates, suggesting that this metabolite facilitates microbial interactions within and outside of benthic organisms. Exudate compositions were species-specific and significantly enriched in the indole class of metabolites. Microbial abundances and specific microbial taxa responded differently in relation to exudates from stony corals and octocorals, demonstrating the link between benthic organismal composition, metabolite exudates, and microbial growth. Conversely, microbial communities did not respond to additions of the individual metabolites, suggesting that reef microorganisms likely provide diverse metabolite pools that support microbial growth. This work provides novel information about the metabolites released from common Caribbean benthic organisms and indicates that the recent shifts in benthic composition from stony to octocorals alter exudate composition and likely impact microbial community composition and function on coral reefs. UPLC-MS Metabolite collection incubation assays are reported in the current study MTBLS2855UPLC-MS Metabolite uptake incubation assay is reported in <a href='https://www.ebi.ac.uk/metabolights/editor/study/MTBLS3286' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>MTBLS3286</a>

Project description:Benthic organisms sustain coral reefs through their growth and metabolism, but less is known about how their released metabolites influence reef seawater microorganisms. To investigate metabolite composition of benthic exudates and their ecological significance for reef microbial communities, we harvested exudates from six species of Caribbean benthic organisms including stony corals, octocorals, and an invasive encrusting algae, and subjected these exudates to untargeted and targeted metabolomics approaches using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Incubations with reef seawater microorganisms were conducted to monitor changes in microbial community composition using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and abundance in relation to exudate source and three specific metabolites. Exudates tended to be enriched in amino acids, nucleosides, and vitamins, indicating that benthic organisms contribute labile organic matter to reefs. The phytohormone indole-3-acetic acid was detected in octocoral exudates, suggesting that this metabolite facilitates microbial interactions within and outside of benthic organisms. Exudate compositions were species-specific and significantly enriched in the indole class of metabolites. Microbial abundances and specific microbial taxa responded differently in relation to exudates from stony corals and octocorals, demonstrating the link between benthic organismal composition, metabolite exudates, and microbial growth. Conversely, microbial communities did not respond to additions of the individual metabolites, suggesting that reef microorganisms likely provide diverse metabolite pools that support microbial growth. This work identifies, quantifies, and compares metabolites released from common Caribbean benthic organisms and indicates that recent shifts in benthic composition from stony to octocorals alter exudate composition and likely impact microbial community composition and function on coral reefs. UPLC-MS Metabolite uptake incubation assay is reported in the current study MTBLS3286UPLC-MS Metabolite collection incubation assays are reported in <a href='https://www.ebi.ac.uk/metabolights/editor/study/MTBLS2855' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>MTBLS2855</a>