Tedania Anhelans Research Articles

Diversity, host-specificity and stability of sponge-associated fungal communities of co-occurring sponges

Fungi play a critical role in a range of ecosystems; however, their interactions and functions in marine hosts, and particular sponges, is poorly understood. Here we assess the fungal community composition of three co-occurring sponges (Cymbastela concentrica, Scopalina sp., Tedania anhelans) and the surrounding seawater over two time points to help elucidate host-specificity, stability and potential core members, which may shed light into the ecological function of fungi in sponges. The results showed that ITS-amplicon-based community profiling likely provides a more realistic assessment of fungal diversity in sponges than cultivation-dependent approaches. The sponges studied here were found to contain phylogenetically diverse fungi (eight fungal classes were observed), including members of the family Togniniaceae and the genus Acrostalagmus, that have so far not been reported to be cultured from sponges. Fungal communities within any given sponge species were found to be highly variable compared to bacterial communities, and influenced in structure by the community of the surrounding seawater, especially considering temporal variation. Nevertheless, the sponge species studied here contained a few “variable/core” fungi that appeared in multiple biological replicates and were enriched in their relative abundance compared to seawater communities. These fungi were the same or highly similar to fungal species detected in sponges around the world, which suggests a prevalence of horizontal transmission where selectivity and enrichment of some fungi occur for those that can survive and/or exploit the sponge environment. Our current sparse knowledge about sponge-associated fungi thus indicate that fungal communities may perhaps not play as an important ecological role in the sponge holobiont compared to bacterial or archaeal symbionts.

Antagonistic activity of marine sponges associated Actinobacteria

Objective: To focus on the isolation and preliminary characterization of marine sponges associated Actinobacteria particularly Streptomyces species and also their antagonistic activities against bacterial and fungal pathogens. Methods: The sponges were collected from Kovalam and Vizhinjam port of south-west coast of Kerala, India. Isolation of strains was carried out from sponge extracts using international Streptomyces project media. For preliminary identification of the strains, morphological (mycelial colouration, soluble pigments, melanoid pigmentation, spore morphology), nutritional uptake (carbon utilisation, amonoacids influence, sodium chloride tolerance), physiological (pH, temperature) and chemotaxonomical characterization were done. Antimicrobial studies were also carried out for the selected strains. Results: With the help of the spicule structures, the collected marine sponges were identified as Callyspongia diffusa, Mycale mytilorum, Tedania anhelans and Dysidea fragilis. Nearly 94 strains were primarily isolated from these sponges and further they were sub-cultured using international Streptomyces project media. The strains exhibited different mycelial colouration (aerial and substrate), soluble and melanoid pigmentations. The strains possessed three types of sporophore morphology namely rectus flexibilis, spiral and retinaculiaperti. Among the 94 isolates, seven exhibited antibacterial and antifungal activities with maximal zone of inhibition of 30 mm. The nutritional, physiological and chemotaxonomical characteristic study helped in the conventional identification of the seven strains and they all suggest that the strains to be grouped under the genus Streptomyces. Conclusions: The present study clearly helps in the preliminary identification of the isolates associated with marine sponges. Antagonistic activities prove the production of antimicrobial metabolites against the pathogens. Marine sponges associated Streptomyces are universally well known for their synthesis of many bioactive compounds such as antibiotics, enzymes, enzyme inhibitors and food grade pigments. They also have certain biotechnological applications like probiotics and single cell proteins. These marine Streptomyces bioactive metabolites can be the futuristic solution for the dreadful diseases.

Effect of Actinobacteria as a single cell protein on growth performance of Xiphophorus helleri

The potential of Marine Actinobacteria particularly Streptomyces as a single cell protein (SCP) feed for the growth of ornamental fish, Xiphophorus helleri has been investigated. The Streptomyces strains used as SCP were isolated from the marine sponges, namely Callyspongia diffusa , Mycale mytilorum , Tedania anhelans and Dysidea fragilis . Six SCP feeds were prepared and their effects were compared with those of control diet. After 30 days of feeding trials, the growth parameters including absolute growth rate, specific growth rate and feed conversion efficiency were found to be significantly ( P <0.001) higher in groups that received SCP feed than those of control one, whereas feed conversion ratio was lower. Thus it was found that in addition to being effective antibiotic agents against harmful pathogens, Streptomyces could also promote the growth of fish effectively. Marine Actinobacteria, particularly Streptomyces, could play an important role as a single cell protein (SCP) in aquaculture nutrition and is a promising microbe for the development of marine biotechnology.

Antioxidant Activity of Bacteria Associated with the Marine Sponge Tedania anhelans

The marine environment has proved to be a promising source of antioxidant compounds as several novel molecules that are derived from sponges, sea weed and marine microbes exhibit good antioxidant properties. Though the secondary metabolites of T. anhelans are being explored world wide, studies related with antioxidant property of its associated bacteria are very limited. In the present study, several Bacillus sp. with just 97 % similarity with its closest match in Gen Bank were isolated, and found to show free radical scavenging activity. The anti-oxidant activity was stable at alkaline pH and the GC–MS spectra showed the presence of several anti-oxidant compounds in the ethyl acetate extract of the bacterial cultures. To the best of our knowledge the present study is first of its kind to report about bacteria associated with the T. anhelans with antioxidant activity.

Antimicrobial activities of novel cultivable bacteria isolated from marine sponge Tedania anhelans

Marine sponge Tedania anhelans distributes throughout the intertidal zone of Fujian, southeastern China, and is a potential source of natural bioactive products. The sponge harbors a large number of bacterial groups that have been identified using various techniques, including fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Fractionation of dissociated sponge allowed isolation of 25 bacterial species. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, phylogenetic analysis attributed most of these eubacteria to α-Proteobacteria, γ-Proteobacteria, Cytophaga / Flavobacterium / Bacteroidetes (CFB group), and the family Bacillaceae of Gram-positive bacteria. In sequence similarity, five putatively novel species were identified with less than 98% similarity to other strains in the NCBI database. Tests for antimicrobial activities were performed against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, antitumor indicators Escherichia coli 343/591 (with DNA repair deficiency), regular E. coli 343/636 (with different DNA repair capacity), and 10 bacterial isolates exhibited inhibitory bioactivities. Among these strains, three isolates were detected involving function gene NRPS-A domains, which were most closely related to the amino acid sequences of linear gramicidin synthetase and pyoverdine synthetase. These results contribute to our knowledge of the microbes associated with marine sponges and further reveal novel bacterial resources for the screening of bioactive marine natural products.

Temporal variations in growth and reproduction of Tedania anhelans and Chondrosia reniformis in the North Adriatic Sea

Most works concerning growth and reproduction of Mediterranean sponges have been performed in the oligotrophic western Mediterranean while little is known about sponge dynamics in the North-western Adriatic Sea, a basin characterized by low winter temperature and eutrophy. In order to deepen our understanding of sponges in the North Adriatic Sea and verify how its peculiar trophic and physical conditions affect sponge life cycles, temporal trend of sponge cover (%) and reproductive timing of Chondrosia reniformis and Tedania (Tedania) anhelans were studied over a 1-year period looking for a possible relation with variations of temperature or food availability. In C. reniformis, although little variations of sponge cover were evidenced around the year, the number of individuals and their size increase during spring. Asexual reproduction, via drop-like propagules, mainly occurs in spring and summer, while sexual reproduction is characterized by a maximum number of oocytes in August. T. anhelans progressively grows from spring to summer and develops propagules on its surface that reach their maximum size in July. In autumn, the sponge undergoes a process of progressive shrinkage and almost disappears in winter when temperature reaches 7–8°C. Larvae occur during summer. In the North Adriatic Sea sponges have larger sizes, higher density and a wider period of oocytes production compared with the same species from the Mediterranean Sea, suggesting these differences could be due to high food availability characterizing the eutrophic Adriatic basin. On the contrary, the sharp water temperature variations and the very low winter temperature, 5–6°C lower than what has been reported for the Mediterranean Sea, regulate temporal variations in abundance and cause the disappearance of thermophile species during winter.

Antagonistic potential of marine Actinobacteria against fish and shellfish pathogens

A total of 94 marine actinobacterial isolates were found to be associated with 4 sponges: Callyspongia diffusa, Mycale mytilorum, Tedania anhelans, and Dysidea fragilis. Among the cultures 7 strains showed antagonism against fish and shellfish pathogens. Analysis of morphological, physiological, biochemical, and protein profile characteristics suggested that the actinobacterial strains belonged to the genus Streptomyces. The initial screening of the isolates by the spot inoculation method exhibited antibacterial activity against Aeromonas hydrophila. In vitro screening of the submerged culture extracts showed positive inhibition against the fish and shellfish pathogens Aeromonas hydrophila, Serratia sp., and Vibrio spp. The screening of bioactive compounds by UV spectrum confirmed the production of polyene substances, which resulted in absorbance peaks ranging from 225 to 245 nm. In TLC analysis the R_f values ranged from 0.40 to 0.78. The results indicate that the Streptomyces strains isolated from marine sponges produce potential bioactive compounds against fish and shellfish pathogens.

Bioactive potential of Streptomyces associated with marine sponges

The present work deals with isolation of Streptomyces associated with marine sponges and its bioactive potential. Streptomyces sp. were isolated from the marine sponges Callyspongia diffusa, Mycale mytilorum, Tedania anhelans and Dysidea fragilis. From the initial screening, 94 cultures of Streptomyces were obtained and from these 58 cultures exhibited antagonism against bacteria, 36 strains against fungi and 27 strains exhibited broad spectrum activity against both. The submerged culture extracts of the 58 anti-bacterial isolates were analysed and of these 58 strains, 37 strains showed positive inhibition against Bacillus subtilis, 43 against Staphylococcus aureus, 10 against Vibrio cholerae and 10 against Escherichia coli. The antifungal activities of the 36 strains were also evaluated and 27 strains showed positive inhibition against Aspergillus niger, 23 against Saccharomyces cerevisiae and 16 against Candida albicans. The production of polyene substances from the active extracts was confirmed by UV spectral analysis by the absorbance peaks that ranged from 225 to 262 nm and the TLC (Rf values) ranging from 0.40 to 0.78. The results indicate that Streptomyces strains isolated from marine sponges produce potential antibacterial, antifungal and broad spectrum antibiotic compounds.

Heart of glass: spicule armament and physical defense in temperate reef sponges

Siliceous inclusions play an important role in deterring terrestrial herbivores, but their role in marine systems remains controversial. Sponges are ubiquitous members of marine benthic communities and represent a potentially valuable food source for many predatory species, yet they have few natural predators. An in situ method was used to assess the deterrent effects of siliceous spicules or whole sponge skeleton, which were hypothesised to act as a physical defense in temper- ate reef sponges. Natural concentrations of spicules from 5 species of sponge and the spongin skele- ton from a sixth species were incorporated into artificial diets, which were similar in nutritional qual- ity to the sponge tissues. These were offered to the sea urchin Centrostephanus rodgersii in feeding choice experiments including control discs containing no spicules or spongin skeleton. Spicules from 4 species, Tedania anhelans, Clathria pyramida, Chondrilla australiensis and Chondrilla sp., deterred feeding by C. rodgersii. Spicules from a fifth species, Callyspongia sp., and intact skeleton isolated from Cacospongia sp., failed to deter C. rodgersii. This is the first demonstration of antifeedant activ- ity associated with skeletal elements against sea urchins. Importantly, unlike previous work in the tropics, very small spicules (microscleres) measuring <100 µm were effective feeding deterrents.

Recipient Environment More Important than Community Composition in Determining the Success of an Experimental Sponge Transplant

Abstract Human activities have inflicted profound damage upon many ecosystems, and ecologists are now seeking effective means of restoring ecosystems to their natural state. Industrial ports and harbors are highly modified and often depauperate in native fauna. They are typically characterized by poor water quality and modified community composition, both of which may hinder attempts to reintroduce native species. Here, we conducted a field experiment to separate the effects of the recipient environment and community composition on the success of endemic sponge explants in Port Kembla Harbor, NSW, Australia. A reciprocal transplant was conducted between communities originating from six sites that varied in water quality and community composition, enabling us to assess the relative factors simultaneously. A colony of the endemic sponge Tedania anhelans was then inserted into the center of each community, and we quantified the survival, growth, and metal bioaccumulation of sponges over three months. Endemic sponges consistently performed better against resident assemblages when water quality was good. Sponges transplanted to cleaner sites had over double the survivorship and approximately three times the surface area of sponges transplanted to disturbed sites. These patterns were independent of community composition. Bioaccumulation of metals in sponges was correlated with survival; however, other factors such as turbidity may be required to explain sponge mortality at some sites. This study adds to evidence that remediation of the physical and chemical environments may be a prerequisite for biological remediation and demonstrates the value of experimental transplants in assessing restoration potential.

Growth of the encrusting sponge Tedania anhelans (Lieberkuhn) on vertical and on horizontal surfaces of temperate subtidal reefs

On subtidal reefs around Sydney (Australia), Tedania anhelans (Lieberkuhn, 1859)is a common encrusting sponge that occurs as frequently on vertical as on horizontal surfaces on most reefs, but covers more than twice the area on vertical surfaces of reefs. Faster growth, leading to the greater cover of the sponge on vertical surfaces, is a possible explanation for this difference. This was examined by experimental transplants to test the hypothesis that T. anhelans transplanted from vertical to horizontal surfaces grow more slowly than those on vertical surfaces. Over three months, T. anhelans transplanted to horizontal surfaces shrank, by 18 ± 18% and 17 ± 16% (mean ± s.e.) at two sites. Conversely, sponges on vertical surfaces grew rapidly, increasing by 40 ± 18% and 78 ± 19% at two sites. Potential artefacts owing to the experimental procedure of moving sponges between places were tested, but none was detected. These results indicated that orientation had a strong effect on the growth of T. anhelans and that growth has an important role in creating the pattern of its greater cover on vertical than on horizontal surfaces of temperate subtidal reefs.

The dynamics of sponge larvae assemblages from northwestern Mediterranean nearshore bottoms

In this study, we show for the first time the dynamics of sponge larvae assemblages from nearshore meroplankton. Plankton was collected by SCUBA diving once or twice a week during a 2-year period over a rocky artificial reef in the NW Mediterranean. Data on larval abundance were cross correlated with the values of environmental parameters (i.e. seawater temperature, solar radiation, wind speed and atmospheric pressure). In the laboratory, we recorded external features and main behaviors of larvae. We collected larvae belonging to 20 different taxa of sponges, which are among the most common in the sublittoral hard bottom communities of the NW Mediterranean and other temperate areas. There was a positive correlation between maximum abundance of larvae and highest water temperatures. Maximum solar radiation preceded the maximum of larval abundance. Wind speed showed no clear seasonal patterns and atmospheric pressure was overall the lowest when larvae were most abundant. Two main patterns in the larval release periods were observed. One was shown by species releasing larvae in summer, right before the maximum water temperatures (orders Dictyoceratida and Dendroceratida) and another by the species whose larvae release from the end of summer till autumn, when temperatures decrease (order Poecilosclerida). The larvae of Phorbas tenacior, Raphidoflus jolicoueri, Mycale rotalis, Tedania anhelans, Pleraplysilla spinifera, Aplysilla sulfurea var. rosea and Chelonaplysilla noevus are described for the first time. The larvae collected mainly belonged to the parenchymella type (except for the species Oscarella sp. and probably Cliona viridis) and showed different features and behaviors: from the elongated parenchymellae of Scopalina lophyropoda (order Halichondrida), which show simple swimming behavior and no response to light, to the parenchymellae of Poecilosclerida and Dictyoceratida orders with variable morphologies as adaptations to complex swimming behaviors. Our database will hopefully contribute to the present knowledge of larval types in sponges and definitively highlight the importance of this group in the dynamics of meroplankton from nearshore bottoms.

The impacts of scallop dredging on sponge assemblages in the Gulf of Kalloni (Aegean Sea, northeastern Mediterranean)

Abstract Concerns have been raised on the impact of bottom-fishing activities in the shallow Gulf of Kalloni (Lesvos Island, Aegean Sea). Fishing with demersal gears was banned in 1995, but the Gulf was reopened in 1998 only for scallop dredging using the “lagamna” gear. Two series of samplings were done with this gear in 1998 and 1999 (October) before the beginning of scallop-fishing period (from November up to March), aiming to investigate possible changes in sponge assemblages. Sponges (Porifera) were the most abundant meso-megafaunal benthic organisms in the Gulf, besides scallops and other bivalves. Total abundance, number of species, species diversity, species richness and evenness of sponge assemblages reduced significantly from the year 1998 to 1999. The population of the excavating Cliona celata, the only infaunal sponge species found in the Gulf, decreased. Multivariate analysis on the abundance data of epibenthic sponge species revealed a clear separation of samples collected during the 2 years, indicating changes in the structure of sponge assemblages. The distinguishing species included a variety of growth forms: massive (Mycale massa, Suberites domuncula and Tethya citrina), lobose (Suberites massa, Tedania anhelans and Halichondria panicea), erect branching (Raspailia viminalis), encrusting (Crambe crambe) and cushion-shaped (Mycale contarenii and Chondrilla nuculla) sponges. Among these species, only S. massa increased its abundance in 1999. All others decreased. No significant loss of information occurred when multivariate analysis was applied to abundance data of genera or families. This comparative study demonstrated that the time interval between two consecutive scallop-fishing periods was insufficient for the recovery of sponge assemblages. It is concluded that scallop dredging causes long-term changes in the structure and biodiversity of sponge assemblages in the Gulf of Kalloni. An improved strategy of fishery management is required in future for the conservation of living resources in this Gulf.

Secondary Metabolites from the Sponge Tedania anhelans: Isolation and Characterization of Two Novel Pyrazole Acids and Other Metabolites

Chemical investigation of the methanol extract of the sponge Tedania anhelans yielded the two unusual heteroaromatic acids, pyrazole-3(5)-carboxylic acid (2) and 4-methylpyrazole-3(5)-carboxylic acid (3), which are reported for the first time as natural products. The other compounds isolated were p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, phenylacetamide, 3-phenylpropionic acid, 3-(p-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid, 3-(p-methoxyphenyl)propionic acid, β-carboline (norharman) (1), and the four diketopiperazines pro-val, pro-leu, pro-phe, and pro-tyr.

Electron microscopical characterization of sponge aggregation factors

Aggregation factors, purified from 14 sponges which belong to the classes Tetraxonida and Cornacuspongia, were visualized electron microscopically. Two types of basic structural forms were detected; first, circular structures from the species Ancorina cerebrum, Mycale massa, Hemimycale columella, Crella rosea, Clathria coralloides, Axinella cannabina, Pellina semitubulosa, Ircinia muscarum, Hippospongia communis, Verongia aerophoba and second, rod-like structures from Tethya lyncurium, Tedania anhelans, Hymeniacidon sanguinea, Dysidea tupha. In most of the cases the structures carry side chains.