Bacterial composition and putative functions associated with sponges, sediment and seawater from the Tioman coral reef system, Peninsular Malaysia

ABSTRACT

Microbial communities associated with sponges play important roles in sponge health, defence and nutrient dynamics in coral reef systems. Here, we used a 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing approach in order to test for differences in bacterial composition and predictive functional differences among two LMA (low microbial abundance) (Stylissa carteri and Stylissa massa), one well-known HMA (high microbial abundance) (Xestospongia testudinaria), one putative HMA (Aaptos lobata) sponge species, sediment and seawater in a coral reef ecosystem surrounding Tioman Island. Our results showed that biotope (sponge species, sediment and seawater) was a significant predictor of composition and abundance of bacterial communities. Proteobacteria was the dominant phylum in S. carteri, seawater, sediment and A. lobata, whilst bacterial communities of S. massa and X. testudinaria were dominated by Cyanobacteria and Chloroflexi, respectively. The predicted metagenome revealed differentially enriched pathways in HMA and LMA sponges. Differentially enriched subcategories in HMA sponges included ‘Signaling Molecules and Interaction’, ‘Carbohydrate Metabolism’ and ‘Excretory System’. Subcategories enriched in LMA sponges included ‘Replication and Repair’, ‘Energy Metabolism’, ‘Metabolism of Cofactors and Vitamins’ and ‘Environmental Adaptation’. Overall, the predicted functional analysis suggests that, although HMA and LMA associated bacterial communities shared core functional features, they use different strategies to defend against pathogens, obtain energy or cope with stress.

KEYWORDS:

• Community composition
• coral reefs
• pyrosequencing
• PICRUSt
• Tioman
• HMA/LMA dichotomy

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by LESS CORAL (PTDC/AAC-AMB/115304/2009) and Ecotech-Sponge (PTDC/BIAMIC/6473/2014 – POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016531), funded by FEDER, through COMPETE2020 - Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI), and by national funds (OE), through the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)/MCTES. Thanks are also due to FCT/MCTES for the financial support to CESAM (UIDP/50017/2020 + UIDB/50017/2020), through national funds. Ana RM Polónia was supported by a postdoctoral scholarship (SFRH/BPD/117563/2016) and Ana CC Pires by a PhD grant (SFRH/BD/90340/2012) funded by FCT/MCTES and by the European Social Fund (ESF). Francisco JRC Coelho is recipient of a Research Scientist contract conceded by FCT (CEECIND/00070/2017). Vanessa Oliveira is funded by national funds (OE), through FCT, I.P., in the scope of the framework contract foreseen in the numbers 4, 5 and 6 of the article 23, of the Decree-Law 57/2016, of August 29, changed by Law 57/2017, of July 19. Research permit for Zarinah Waheed was granted by the Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Minister's Department, Malaysia (UPE: 40/200/19/2642). Permits for sampling were granted by the Department of Marine Parks, Malaysia.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia [Grant Number PTDC/AAC-AMB/115304/2009, PTDC/BIAMIC/6473/2014 - POCI-01-0145-FEDER-01653,SFRH/BD/90340/2012,SFRH/BPD/117563/2016,CEECIND/00070/2017,UIDP/50017/2020 + UIDB/50017/2020].