Diversity, structure and convergent evolution of the global sponge microbiome

Sponges (phylum Porifera) are early-diverging metazoa renowned for establishing complex microbial symbioses. Here we present a global Porifera microbiome survey, set out to establish the ecological and evolutionary drivers of these host-microbe interactions. We show that sponges are a reservoir of exceptional microbial diversity and major contributors to the total microbial diversity of the world's oceans. Little commonality in species composition or structure is evident across the phylum, although symbiont communities are characterized by specialists and generalists rather than opportunists. Core sponge microbiomes are stable and characterized by generalist symbionts exhibiting amensal and/or commensal…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Awards: 1208340, 0829986
• AN
  Agence Nationale de la Recherche

  Awards: ANR-11-IDEX, ANR-10-LABX-41, ANR-10, 10-LABX-41, ANR-11-IDEX-002-02
• CN
  Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
• FF
  FP7 Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Biotechnology

  Award: 311932