Metabolic diversity and niche structure in sponges from the Miskito Cays, Honduras.

摘要: Hosting symbionts provides many eukaryotes with access to the products of microbial metabolism that are crucial for host performance. On tropical coral reefs, (High Microbial Abundance [HMA]) but not all (Low [LMA]) marine sponges abundant symbiont communities. Although recent research has revealed substantial variation in these sponge-microbe associations (termed holobionts), little is known about ecological implications this diversity. We investigated expansion diverse sponge species across isotopic niche space by calculating size (as standard ellipse area [SEAc]) and assessing relative placement common bivariate (δ13C δ15N) plots. Sponges study were collected from relatively isolated reefs within Miskito Cays Honduras. These support communities HMA LMA together span a gradient photosymbiont abundance, as chlorophyll analysis. occupied unique compared species, some was driven abundance. In addition, abundance explained significant portion isotope values, suggesting autotrophic provided photosymbionts an important predictor location space. Host identity accounted over 70% values there individual space, holobiont metabolic diversity may allow taxonomically utilize sources nutrients reef system. This initial evidence expand into novel physiochemical reduce competitive interactions promote diversification