scholarly journals Hyperdiverse Macrofauna Communities Associated with a Common Sponge, Stylissa carteri, Shift across Ecological Gradients in the Central Red Sea

Diversity ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nora Kandler ◽  
Michael Wooster ◽  
Matthieu Leray ◽  
Nancy Knowlton ◽  
Nicole de Voogd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Red Sea ◽  
Dissimilarity Index ◽  
Operational Taxonomic Units ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Coral Reef Ecosystems ◽  
Stylissa Carteri ◽  
Curtis Dissimilarity ◽  
Macrofaunal Community ◽  
Macrofauna Communities

Sponges act as important microhabitats in the marine environment and promote biodiversity by harboring a wide variety of macrofauna, but little is known about the magnitude and patterns of diversity of sponge-associated communities. This study uses DNA barcoding to examine the macrofaunal communities associated with Stylissa carteri in the central Saudi Arabian Red Sea, an understudied ecosystem with high biodiversity and endemism. In total, 146 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were distinguished from 938 successfully-sequenced macrofauna individuals from 99 sponges. A significant difference was found in the macrofaunal community composition of S. carteri along a cross-shelf gradient using OTU abundance (Bray–Curtis dissimilarity index), with more amphipods associated with offshore sponges and more brittle stars and fishes associated with inshore sponges. The abundance of S. carteri also showed a gradient, increasing with proximity to shore. However, no significant differences in macrofaunal community composition or total macrofauna abundance were observed between exposed and sheltered sides of the reefs and there was no significant change in total macrofauna abundance along the inshore–offshore gradient. As climate change and ocean acidification continue to impact coral reef ecosystems, understanding the ecology of sponges and their role as microhabitats may become more important for understanding their full ramifications for biodiversity.

scholarly journals Intrabasin Floral Differences in the Sonoran Desert; a case study from the Casa Grande Valley

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Garcia ◽  
Sarah Gabriele ◽  
Benjamin Cowgill ◽  
Xavier Rodriguez ◽  
Robert J Gay
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Sonoran Desert ◽  
Mineral Content ◽  
Controlling Factors ◽  
Floral Variation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Elevation Data ◽  
Expected Values

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine what floral differences exist in North Mountain Park and Casa Grande Mountain Park which are both located on opposite sides of the Casa Grande Valley, Pinal County, Arizona and to attempt to explain any measured differences. Previous authors have proposed several explanations for floral variation within the Sonoran Desert including elevation, soil pH, and mineral content. This study explicitly tests several of these proposed mechanisms for determining community composition. Methods: The floral composition was measured in both North Mountain Park and Casa Grande Mountain Park through a series of transects which were sampled by multiple times in 2012 and 2013. Elevation data soil pH were also sampled. Results: The data recovered from North Mountain Park differed from the expected values in Casa Grande Mountain Park by 22%. This indicates a significant difference in the flora between these two localities that was not predicted by earlier studies. Elevation and soil pH differences between sampled localities were not significant. This suggests that mineral composition of the soil may play an important role within this basin in determining community composition. Discussion: Many factors that have been proposed in prior studies do not appear to play a significant role within the Casa Grande Valley in determining community composition. This indicates that the composition of a community is influenced by different factors in different locations within the Sonoran Desert. This makes determining overall controlling factors across an ecosystem difficult.

Calcified macroalgae and their bacterial community in relation to larval settlement and metamorphosis of reef-building coral Pocillopora damicornis

2020 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fangfang Yang ◽  
Jiahao Mo ◽  
Zhangliang Wei ◽  
Lijuan Long
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Community ◽  
Community Composition ◽  
Bacterial Community Composition ◽  
Larval Settlement ◽  
Pocillopora Damicornis ◽  
Principal Coordinates Analysis ◽  
Principal Coordinates ◽  
Coral Reef Ecosystems ◽  
Settlement And Metamorphosis ◽  
Invertebrate Larvae

ABSTRACT Calcified macroalgae play an important role in the settlement and metamorphosis of invertebrate larvae in coral reef ecosystems. However, little is known about the algal-associated bacterial communities and their effects on larval settlement. In this study, the responses of larvae of the coral Pocillopora damicornis to calcified algae (Porolithon onkodes, Halimeda cylindracea, Halimeda opuntia and Amphiroa fragilissima) were evaluated. The results revealed that Por. onkodes and H. cylindracea significantly enhanced the rates of settlement and metamorphosis, whereas fewer larvae settled on Am. fragilissima and H. opuntia. Amplicon pyrosequencing of the V3–V4 region of 16S rDNA was applied to investigate the relationship between algal bacterial community and larval settlement. Principal coordinates analysis demonstrated that the bacterial community composition of H. opuntia was more similar to that of Am. fragilissima, but clearly distinct from those of H. cylindracea and Por. onkodes. Furthermore, the relative abundances of bacteria were highly diverse among different algae. H. opuntia had higher percentages of Thalassobius, Pelagibius and SM1A02, whereas the abundances of Mycoplasma and Suttonella were significantly higher in H. cylindracea than other algae. Our results showed that larval settlement/metamorphosis was strongly correlated with the bacterial community composition and with the relative abundance of a few operational taxonomic units.

Importance of boreal forested wetlands for epiphytic macrolichen communities

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (12) ◽  
pp. 1333-1339
Author(s):  
Tegan Padgett ◽  
Yolanda F. Wiersma
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Forested Wetlands ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Forested Wetland ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Face Threats

Forested wetlands provide ecosystem services and often support elevated levels of biodiversity and rare species. However, forested wetlands are understudied and face threats such as logging and land conversion. Epiphytic lichens are abundant in forested wetlands and may be useful to help delineate microhabitats across wetland–upland gradients. We investigated epiphytic macrolichen richness, diversity, and community composition in 15 sites in the Avalon Forest Ecoregion, Newfoundland, Canada. Within each site, we set up three parallel 40 m transects in (i) the forested wetland, (ii) the ecotone, and (iii) the upland forest. Along each transect, we selected five balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) trees 10 m apart and surveyed for macrolichens on the lower bole. We collected data on tree height and tree diameter at breast height, which differed significantly among forest types. We also collected data on tree age and canopy cover, which did not differ significantly among forest types. Contrary to hypotheses suggesting that biodiversity is highest in ecotones, we found that mean macrolichen richness was significantly higher in wetlands, lower in the ecotones, and lowest in upland forests, and macrolichen diversity followed a similar pattern but with no significant difference among groups. Macrolichen community composition significantly differed among wetlands, ecotones, and upland forests. A lichen of conservation concern, Erioderma pedicellatum (Hue) P.M. Jørg., was detected primarily in forested wetlands, highlighting wetlands as key habitats for rare epiphytic macrolichens.

scholarly journals Seasonal and Successional Influences on Bacterial Community Composition Exceed That of Protozoan Grazing in River Biofilms

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (6) ◽  
pp. 2013-2024 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer K. Wey ◽  
Klaus Jürgens ◽  
Markus Weitere
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Community ◽  
Community Composition ◽  
Bacterial Community Composition ◽  
Bacterial Biofilm ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Bacterial Biofilms ◽  
Heterotrophic Flagellates ◽  
Operational Taxonomic Units ◽  
Protozoan Grazing

ABSTRACTThe effects of protozoa (heterotrophic flagellates and ciliates) on the morphology and community composition of bacterial biofilms were tested under natural background conditions by applying size fractionation in a river bypass system. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was used to monitor the morphological structure of the biofilm, and fingerprinting methods (single-stranded conformation polymorphism [SSCP] and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis [DGGE]) were utilized to assess changes in bacterial community composition. Season and internal population dynamics had a greater influence on the bacterial biofilm than the presence of protozoa. Within this general framework, bacterial area coverage and microcolony abundance were nevertheless enhanced by the presence of ciliates (but not by the presence of flagellates). We also found that the richness of bacterial operational taxonomic units was much higher in planktonic founder communities than in the ones establishing the biofilm. Within the first 2 h of colonization of an empty substrate by bacteria, the presence of flagellates additionally altered their biofilm community composition. As the biofilms matured, the number of bacterial operational taxonomic units increased when flagellates were present in high abundances. The additional presence of ciliates tended to at first reduce (days 2 to 7) and later increase (days 14 to 29) bacterial operational taxonomic unit richness. Altogether, the response of the bacterial community to protozoan grazing pressure was small compared to that reported in planktonic studies, but our findings contradict the assumption of a general grazing resistance of bacterial biofilms toward protozoa.

scholarly journals Insights into viral community composition of the cnidarian model metaorganism Aiptasia using RNA-Seq data

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan D Brüwer ◽  
Christian R Voolstra
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Viral Origin ◽  
Viral Community ◽  
Coral Reef Ecosystems ◽  
Algal Endosymbiont ◽  
Endosymbiotic Algae ◽  
Multicellular Organisms ◽  
Insight Into

Current research posits that all multicellular organisms live in symbioses with associated microorganisms and form so-called metaorganisms or holobionts. Cnidarian metaorganisms are of specific interest given that stony corals provide the foundation of the globally threatened coral reef ecosystems and their well-being strongly relies on forming mutualistic relationships with endosymbiotic algae of the genus Symbiodinium. So far, only few studies characterized viral diversity and the potential underlying functional importance to coral holobionts. Here we analyzed an existing RNA-Seq dataset of the coral model metaorganism Aiptasia CC7 (sensu Exaiptasia pallida) associated with aposymbiotic, partially populated, and fully symbiotic anemones with Symbiodinium to gain further insight into viral community composition and the relation to the algal endosymbiosis. Our approach included the selective removal of anemone host and algal endosymbiont sequences and subsequent microbial sequence annotation. Of a total of 297 million raw sequence reads, 8.6 million (~ 3%) remained after host and endosymbiont sequence removal. Of these, 3,293 sequences (paired-end read pairs) could be assigned as of viral origin. Taxonomic annotation shows that Aiptasia is associated with a diverse viral community consisting of 116 viral taxa covering 40 families. The viral community was dominated by viruses from the families Herpesviridae (12.00%), Partitiviridae (9.93%), and Picornaviridae (9.87%). Despite an overall stable viral community, we found that some viral taxa significantly changed in relative abundance when Aiptasia engage in a symbiotic relationship with Symbiodinium. Elucidation of viral taxa consistently present in all samples revealed an Aiptasia core virome of 15 viral taxa from 11 viral families that was comprised of many viruses previously reported in coral viromes. Our study provides a first insight into the viral community of Aiptasia. Aiptasia seem to harbor a diverse and overall stable viral community, although certain members change in abundance when the anemone host associates with its algal endosymbiont. However, the functional significance of this remains to be determined.

scholarly journals Exotic Earthworm Communities Within Upland Deciduous Forests of National Wildlife Refuges in the Upper Midwest

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 332-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsey M. Shartell ◽  
R. Gregory Corace ◽  
Andrew J. Storer
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
The United States ◽  
Forest Stands ◽  
Upper Midwest ◽  
Earthworm Invasion ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Status ◽  
Wildlife Refuges

Abstract The invasion of exotic earthworms into forests of the Upper Midwest region of the United States is a considerable management issue due to the ability of earthworms to act as ecosystem engineers and modify existing ecosystems. Earthworm taxa differ in their biology and behavior, such that earthworm abundance and community composition can be related to the type and degree of alteration expected to occur. Many National Wildlife Refuges of the Upper Midwest have enabling legislation that identifies migratory birds as a specific management priority, and past studies have indicated that earthworm-modified forests provide lower quality habitat for migratory, ground-nesting birds. We quantified exotic earthworm community composition, abundance, and variability within and among upland deciduous forest stands at six of these refuges (Horicon, Ottawa, Rice Lake, Seney, Shiawassee, and Tamarac), providing a baseline for estimating the status of earthworm invasion. Analyses revealed a significant difference in mean earthworm biomass among upland deciduous forest stands sampled (ANOVA, F5,52  =  2.81, P  =  0.03) and indicated significant differences in earthworm community composition (multiresponse permutation procedure, T  =  −12.57, A  =  0.24, P < 0.001) at each refuge. Based upon existing theories regarding earthworm invasion, we suggest that the stage, and impact, of earthworm invasion is varied across the region. Continued research and monitoring of earthworm communities should test this theory and seek to elucidate drivers of earthworm invasion patterns and impacts to forest ecosystems.

scholarly journals Microbial communities associated with sediments and polymetallic nodules of the Peru Basin

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimiliano Molari ◽  
Felix Janssen ◽  
Tobias Vonnahme ◽  
Frank Wenzhöfer ◽  
Antje Boetius
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Microbial Community Composition ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Operational Taxonomic Units ◽  
Polymetallic Nodules ◽  
Relevant Role ◽  
Bacterial And Archaeal Communities ◽  
Clarion Clipperton Fracture Zone ◽  
And Function

Abstract. Industrial-scale mining of deep-sea polymetallic nodules will need to remove nodules in large areas of the seafloor. The regrowth of the nodules by metal precipitation is estimated to take millions of years. Thus for future mining impact studies, it is crucial to understand the role of nodules in shaping microbial diversity and function in deep-sea environments. Here we investigated microbial community composition based on 16S rRNA gene sequences retrieved from sediments and nodules of the Peru Basin (> 4100 m water depth). The nodule field of the Peru Basin showed a typical deep-sea microbiome, with dominance of the classes Gammaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria, and Acidimicrobiia. Nodules and sediments host distinct bacterial and archaeal communities, with nodules showing lower diversity and a higher proportion of sequences related to potential metal-cycling bacteria (i.e. Magnetospiraceae, Hyphomicrobiaceae), bacterial and archaeal nitrifiers (i.e. AqS1, unclassified Nitrosomonadaceae, Nitrosopumilus, Nitrospina, Nitrospira), and bacterial sequences found in ocean crust, nodules, hydrothermal deposits and sessile fauna. Sediment and nodule communities overall shared a low proportion of Operational Taxonomic Units (OTU; 21 % for Bacteria and 19 % for Archaea). Our results show that nodules represent a specific ecological niche (i.e. hard substrate, high metal concentrations and sessile fauna), with a potentially relevant role in organic carbon degradation. Differences in nodule community composition (e.g. Mn-cycling bacteria, nitrifiers) between the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (CCZ) and the Peru Basin suggest that changes in environmental setting (i.e. sedimentation rates) play also a significant role in structuring the nodule microbiome.

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