A controlled aquarium system and approach to study the role of sponge-bacteria interactions using Aplysilla rosea and Vibrio natriegens

Abstract

Sponge-bacteria interactions are very important due to their ecological and biological significance. To understand the impact of interactions between sponges and bacteria (both associated with and external to sponges) on sponge-associated microbial diversity, sponge metabolite profiles and bioactivity, we used a controlled aquarium system and designed an experimental approach that allows the study of sponge-bacteria interactions in a well-defined manner. To test the feasibility of this approach, this system was used to study the interaction between a sponge Aplysilla rosea and a marine bacterium commonly found in seawater, Vibrio natriegens. Sponge explants were exposed to V. natriegens, at 5 × 106 cfu/ml, and changes were monitored for 48 hours. Pyro-sequencing revealed significant shifts in microbial communities associated with the sponges after 24 to 48 hours. Both the control (sponge only without added bacteria) and Vibrio-exposed sponges showed a distinct shift in bacterial diversity and abundance with time. Vibrio exposure significantly increased bacterial diversity, the abundance of a number of taxa compared to control sponges. The result experimentally supports the notion of dynamic and concerted responses by the sponge when interacting with a bacterium, and demonstrates the feasibility of using this controlled aquarium system for the study of sponge-bacteria interactions.

Vibrio natriegens: an ultrafast‐growing marine bacterium as emerging synthetic biology chassis

“…Originally, V. natriegens was only known to live in salt marsh mud and estuarine environments (Payne, 1958). Gradually, as more research became public, it became clear that V. natriegens is ubiquitous and widespread in most of our oceans, inhabiting various niches within them (Payne, 1958; Benbouzid‐Rollet et al ., 1991; Mehbub et al ., 2018; Kim et al ., 2019; Peng et al ., 2020). Based on its ability to survive in a low metabolic state for extended periods of time when the nutrient pool is depleted (Nazly et al ., 1980) and its capacity to utilize a wide range of substrates to outgrow competitors with its fast replication (Nazly et al ., 1980; Benbouzid‐Rollet et al ., 1991), it is unsurprising that it was found to be an important founding member in marine biofilms (Nivens et al ., 1986).…”

“…While direct evidence for such growth‐promoting interactions between V. natriegens and plants has yet to be identified, several interactions with marine animals are well‐described. For instance, it was shown that the sponge Aplysilla rosea develops a more diverse microbiome when exposed to V. natriegens (Mehbub et al ., 2018). This might help to protect the sponge from colonization by pathogenic microbes via niche exclusion.…”

“…Originally, V. natriegens was only known to live in salt marsh mud and estuarine environments (Payne, 1958). Gradually, as more research became public, it became clear that V. natriegens is ubiquitous and widespread in most of our oceans, inhabiting various niches within them (Payne, 1958;Benbouzid-Rollet et al, 1991;Mehbub et al, 2018;Kim et al, 2019;Peng et al, 2020). Based on its ability to survive in a low metabolic state for Cladogram indicating the position of V. natriegens in the tree of life.…”