Functional equivalence and evolutionary convergence in complex communities of microbial sponge symbionts

Microorganisms often form symbiotic relationships with eukaryotes, and the complexity of these relationships can range from those with one single dominant symbiont to associations with hundreds of symbiont species. Microbial symbionts occupying equivalent niches in different eukaryotic hosts may sha...

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Main Authors: Reynolds, D., Liu, M., Stark, M., Webster, N. S., Thomas, T., Fan, Lu, Kjelleberg, Staffan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: 2013
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10356/98136
http://hdl.handle.net/10220/12348
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Institution: Nanyang Technological University
Language: English
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spelling sg-ntu-dr.10356-981362022-02-16T16:30:43Z Functional equivalence and evolutionary convergence in complex communities of microbial sponge symbionts Reynolds, D. Liu, M. Stark, M. Webster, N. S. Thomas, T. Fan, Lu Kjelleberg, Staffan Microorganisms often form symbiotic relationships with eukaryotes, and the complexity of these relationships can range from those with one single dominant symbiont to associations with hundreds of symbiont species. Microbial symbionts occupying equivalent niches in different eukaryotic hosts may share functional aspects, and convergent genome evolution has been reported for simple symbiont systems in insects. However, for complex symbiont communities, it is largely unknown how prevalent functional equivalence is and whether equivalent functions are conducted by evolutionarily convergent mechanisms. Sponges represent an evolutionarily divergent group of species with common physiological and ecological traits. They also host complex communities of microbial symbionts and thus are the ideal model to test whether functional equivalence and evolutionary convergence exist in complex symbiont communities across phylogenetically divergent hosts. Here we use a sampling design to determine the phylogenetic and functional profiles of microbial communities associated with six sponge species. We identify common functions in the six microbiomes, demonstrating the existence of functional equivalence. These core functions are consistent with our current understanding of the biological and ecological roles of sponge-associated microorganisms and also provide insight into symbiont functions. Importantly, core functions also are provided in each sponge species by analogous enzymes and biosynthetic pathways. Moreover, the abundance of elements involved in horizontal gene transfer suggests their key roles in the genomic evolution of symbionts. Our data thus demonstrate evolutionary convergence in complex symbiont communities and reveal the details and mechanisms that underpin the process. Published Version 2013-07-26T02:42:13Z 2019-12-06T19:51:11Z 2013-07-26T02:42:13Z 2019-12-06T19:51:11Z 2012 2012 Journal Article Fan, L., Reynolds, D., Liu, M., Stark, M., Kjelleberg, S., Webster, N. S., et al. (2012). Functional equivalence and evolutionary convergence in complex communities of microbial sponge symbionts. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109(27), E1878-E1887. https://hdl.handle.net/10356/98136 http://hdl.handle.net/10220/12348 10.1073/pnas.1203287109 22699508 en Proceedings of the national academy of sciences © 2013 National Academy of Sciences. This paper was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and is made available as an electronic reprint (preprint) with permission of National Academy of Sciences. The paper can be found at the following official DOI: [http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1203287109]. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic or multiple reproduction, distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper is prohibited and is subject to penalties under law. application/pdf
institution Nanyang Technological University
building NTU Library
continent Asia
country Singapore
Singapore
content_provider NTU Library
collection DR-NTU
language English
description Microorganisms often form symbiotic relationships with eukaryotes, and the complexity of these relationships can range from those with one single dominant symbiont to associations with hundreds of symbiont species. Microbial symbionts occupying equivalent niches in different eukaryotic hosts may share functional aspects, and convergent genome evolution has been reported for simple symbiont systems in insects. However, for complex symbiont communities, it is largely unknown how prevalent functional equivalence is and whether equivalent functions are conducted by evolutionarily convergent mechanisms. Sponges represent an evolutionarily divergent group of species with common physiological and ecological traits. They also host complex communities of microbial symbionts and thus are the ideal model to test whether functional equivalence and evolutionary convergence exist in complex symbiont communities across phylogenetically divergent hosts. Here we use a sampling design to determine the phylogenetic and functional profiles of microbial communities associated with six sponge species. We identify common functions in the six microbiomes, demonstrating the existence of functional equivalence. These core functions are consistent with our current understanding of the biological and ecological roles of sponge-associated microorganisms and also provide insight into symbiont functions. Importantly, core functions also are provided in each sponge species by analogous enzymes and biosynthetic pathways. Moreover, the abundance of elements involved in horizontal gene transfer suggests their key roles in the genomic evolution of symbionts. Our data thus demonstrate evolutionary convergence in complex symbiont communities and reveal the details and mechanisms that underpin the process.
format Article
author Reynolds, D.
Liu, M.
Stark, M.
Webster, N. S.
Thomas, T.
Fan, Lu
Kjelleberg, Staffan
spellingShingle Reynolds, D.
Liu, M.
Stark, M.
Webster, N. S.
Thomas, T.
Fan, Lu
Kjelleberg, Staffan
Functional equivalence and evolutionary convergence in complex communities of microbial sponge symbionts
author_facet Reynolds, D.
Liu, M.
Stark, M.
Webster, N. S.
Thomas, T.
Fan, Lu
Kjelleberg, Staffan
author_sort Reynolds, D.
title Functional equivalence and evolutionary convergence in complex communities of microbial sponge symbionts
title_short Functional equivalence and evolutionary convergence in complex communities of microbial sponge symbionts
title_full Functional equivalence and evolutionary convergence in complex communities of microbial sponge symbionts
title_fullStr Functional equivalence and evolutionary convergence in complex communities of microbial sponge symbionts
title_full_unstemmed Functional equivalence and evolutionary convergence in complex communities of microbial sponge symbionts
title_sort functional equivalence and evolutionary convergence in complex communities of microbial sponge symbionts
publishDate 2013
url https://hdl.handle.net/10356/98136
http://hdl.handle.net/10220/12348
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