ORCID Profile
0000-0001-9996-945X
Current Organisation
Victoria University of Wellington
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Population, Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics | Fisheries Sciences | Fish Physiology and Genetics | Aquatic Ecosystem Studies and Stock Assessment
Publisher: Pacific Science
Date: 10-2015
DOI: 10.2984/69.4.5
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-06-2022
DOI: 10.1111/GCB.16235
Abstract: Sponges are major components of benthic communities across the world and have been identified as potential “winners” on coral reefs in the face of global climate change as result of their tolerance to ocean warming and acidification (OA). Previous studies have also hypothesised that photosymbiont‐containing sponges might have higher productivity under future OA conditions as a result of photosymbionts having increased access to CO 2 and subsequently greater carbon production. Here we test this hypothesis for a widespread and abundant photosymbiont‐containing sponge species Lamellodysidea herbacea at a CO 2 seep in Papua New Guinea simulating OA conditions. We found seep sponges had relatively higher cyanobacterial abundance, chlorophyll concentrations and symbiont photosynthetic efficiency than non‐seep sponges, and a three‐fold higher sponge abundance at the seep site. However, while gross oxygen production was the same for seep and non‐seep sponges, seep sponge dark respiration rates were higher and instantaneous photosynthesis: respiration (P:R) ratios were lower. We show that while photosymbiont containing sponges may not have increased productivity under OA, they are able to show flexibility in their relationships with microbes and offset increased metabolic costs associated with climate change associated stress.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-05-2013
DOI: 10.1111/GCB.12212
Abstract: Coral reefs across the world have been seriously degraded and have a bleak future in response to predicted global warming and ocean acidification (OA). However, this is not the first time that biocalcifying organisms, including corals, have faced the threat of extinction. The end-Triassic mass extinction (200 million years ago) was the most severe biotic crisis experienced by modern marine invertebrates, which selected against biocalcifiers this was followed by the proliferation of another invertebrate group, sponges. The duration of this sponge-dominated period far surpasses that of alternative stable-ecosystem or phase-shift states reported on modern day coral reefs and, as such, a shift to sponge-dominated reefs warrants serious consideration as one future trajectory of coral reefs. We hypothesise that some coral reefs of today may become sponge reefs in the future, as sponges and corals respond differently to changing ocean chemistry and environmental conditions. To support this hypothesis, we discuss: (i) the presence of sponge reefs in the geological record (ii) reported shifts from coral- to sponge-dominated systems and (iii) direct and indirect responses of the sponge holobiont and its constituent parts (host and symbionts) to changes in temperature and pH. Based on this evidence, we propose that sponges may be one group to benefit from projected climate change and ocean acidification scenarios, and that increased sponge abundance represents a possible future trajectory for some coral reefs, which would have important implications for overall reef functioning.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 10-04-2018
DOI: 10.1111/GCB.14116
Abstract: Ocean warming (OW) and ocean acidification (OA) are threatening coral reef ecosystems, with a bleak future forecast for reef-building corals, which are already experiencing global declines in abundance. In contrast, many coral reef sponge species are able to tolerate climate change conditions projected for 2100. To increase our understanding of the mechanisms underpinning this tolerance, we explored the lipid and fatty acid (FA) composition of four sponge species with differing sensitivities to climate change, experimentally exposed to OW and OA levels predicted for 2100, under two CO
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 30-08-2015
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 10-02-2017
Abstract: The study of complex microbial communities poses unique conceptual and analytical challenges, with microbial species potentially numbering in the thousands. With transient or allochthonous microorganisms often adding to this complexity, a 'core' microbiota approach, focusing only on the stable and permanent members of the community, is becoming increasingly popular. Given the various ways of defining a core microbiota, it is prudent to examine whether the definition of the core impacts upon the results obtained. Here we used complex marine sponge microbiotas and undertook a systematic evaluation of the degree to which different factors used to define the core influenced the conclusions. Significant differences in alpha- and beta- ersity were detected using some but not all core definitions. However, findings related to host specificity and environmental quality were largely insensitive to major changes in the core microbiota definition. Furthermore, none of the applied definitions altered our perception of the ecological networks summarising interactions among bacteria within the sponges. These results suggest that, while care should still be taken in interpretation, the core microbiota approach is surprisingly robust, at least for comparing microbiotas of closely related s les.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-01-2021
DOI: 10.1111/MEC.15780
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 14-06-2023
DOI: 10.1038/S43705-023-00247-3
Abstract: Oceans are rapidly warming and acidifying in the context of climate change, threatening sensitive marine biota including coral reef sponges. Ocean warming (OW) and ocean acidification (OA) can impact host health and associated microbiome, but few studies have investigated these effects, which are generally studied in isolation, on a specific component of the holobiont. Here we present a comprehensive view of the consequences of simultaneous OW and OA for the tropical sponge Stylissa flabelliformis . We found no interactive effect on the host health or microbiome. Furthermore, OA (pH 7.6 versus pH 8.0) had no impact, while OW (31.5 °C versus 28.5 °C) caused tissue necrosis, as well as dysbiosis and shifts in microbial functions in healthy tissue of necrotic sponges. Major taxonomic shifts included a complete loss of archaea, reduced proportions of Gammaproteobacteria and elevated relative abundances of Alphaproteobacteria. OW weakened sponge-microbe interactions, with a reduced capacity for nutrient exchange and phagocytosis evasion, indicating lower representations of stable symbionts. The potential for microbially-driven nitrogen and sulphur cycling was reduced, as was amino acid metabolism. Crucially, the dysbiosis annihilated the potential for ammonia detoxification, possibly leading to accumulation of toxic ammonia, nutrient imbalance, and host tissue necrosis. Putative defence against reactive oxygen species was greater at 31.5 °C, perhaps as microorganisms capable of resisting temperature-driven oxidative stress were favoured. We conclude that healthy symbiosis in S. flabelliformis is unlikely to be disrupted by future OA but will be deeply impacted by temperatures predicted for 2100 under a “business-as-usual” carbon emission scenario.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 24-01-2014
Publisher: ACM
Date: 09-10-2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 03-2021
DOI: 10.1017/S0025315421000291
Abstract: The availability of colonizable substrate is an important driver of the temporal dynamics of sessile invertebrates on coral reefs. Increased dominance of algae and, in some cases, sponges has been documented on many coral reefs around the world, but how these organisms benefit from non-colonized substrate on the reef is unclear. In this study, we described the temporal dynamics of benthic organisms on an Indonesian coral reef across two time periods between 2006 and 2017 (2006–2008 and 2014–2017), and investigated the effects of colonizable substrate on benthic cover of coral reef organisms at subsequent s ling events. In contrast with other Indonesian reefs where corals have been declining, corals were dominant and stable over time at this location (mean ± SE percentage cover 42.7 ± 1.9%). Percentage cover of turf algae and sponges showed larger interannual variability than corals and crustose coralline algae (CCA) ( P 0.001), indicating that these groups are more dynamic over short temporal scales. Bare substrate was a good predictor of turf cover in the following year (mean effect 0.2, 95% CI: 0–0.4). Algal cover combined with bare space was a good predictor of CCA cover the following year generally, and of sponge cover the following year but only at one of the three sites. These results indicate that turf algae on some Indonesian reefs can rapidly occupy free space when this becomes available, and that other benthic groups are probably not limited by the availability of bare substrate, but may overgrow already fouled substrates.
Publisher: Inter-Research Science Center
Date: 24-02-2009
DOI: 10.3354/AB00139
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 27-11-2019
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-019-54609-W
Abstract: An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 15-09-2016
DOI: 10.1111/GCB.13474
Abstract: As atmospheric CO
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 02-06-2017
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-017-03018-Y
Abstract: Declines in coral abundance have been linked to increased sedimentation at many locations across the world and at some of these locations there have been subsequent increases in sponge abundance. These shifts appear counterintuitive as sponges are suspension feeders and many rely on photosymbionts for carbon. At a sedimented reef in Indonesia (Wakatobi) corals have declined and the photoautotrophic sponge Lamellodysidea herbacea is now abundant. We hypothesise that this is partly due to L. herbacea’s ability to clear its tissues of high levels of settled-sediment and compensate for associated metabolic demands by altering its respiration rate. Negligible detrimental effects to sponge tissue were observed after treatments up to five times the sedimentation rate of the highly sedimented reef. Rapid sediment clearance occurred that was potentially aided by mucus production. Finally, high sediment exposure caused an immediate reduction in respiration rate, likely due to reduced pumping to prevent clogging, whereas sustained high sedimentation caused an increase in respiration rate, potentially due to the energetic cost of mucus production. Our study provides evidence that some sponges can tolerate environments that appear unsuitable to many corals and with increased sedimentation this acclimation may support further transitions to sponge dominated reefs in the future.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2007
DOI: 10.1071/MF07058
Abstract: Caridean shrimp were used as a model group to investigate the effects of seagrass floral habitat complexity on Indo-Pacific fauna. Relationships between shrimp and seagrass habitat characteristics were explored using both multivariate and multiple linear regression modelling approaches. Epifaunal shrimp assemblages were s led in the Wakatobi Marine National Park, Indonesia. Seagrass habitat complexity had a significant positive impact on shrimp abundance (F3,59 = 17.51, P 0.001) and species richness (F3,59 = 10.88, P 0.001), while significantly altering shrimp assemblage structure (ANOSIM global R = 0.397, P 0.001). In contrast to studies from other bioregions and faunal groups, species ersity and evenness were inversely related to habitat complexity. Changes in shrimp abundance, ersity and assemblage structure with habitat complexity are considered to reflect changes in in idual species habitat specialisation. High complexity habitats were dominated by habitat specialists, whereas low complexity seagrass had higher numbers of habitat generalists. Generalist species may be more adapted to the reduced food availability and increased predatory pressures associated with reduced habitat complexity. Although similar patterns were observed at all sites, inter-site differences in shrimp abundance were observed. This indicates that although the present study demonstrates the importance of small-scale changes in seagrass habitat complexity to faunal assemblages, other factors related to larger spatial-scales are also important.
Publisher: Inter-Research Science Center
Date: 17-01-2008
DOI: 10.3354/MEPS07199
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 26-03-2012
DOI: 10.1111/J.1755-0998.2012.03133.X
Abstract: This article documents the addition of 473 microsatellite marker loci and 71 pairs of single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sequencing primers to the Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for the following species: Barteria fistulosa, Bombus morio, Galaxias platei, Hematodinium perezi, Macrocentrus cingulum Brischke (a.k.a. M. abdominalis Fab., M. grandii Goidanich or M. gifuensis Ashmead), Micropogonias furnieri, Nerita melanotragus, Nilaparvata lugens Stål, Sciaenops ocellatus, Scomber scombrus, Spodoptera frugiperda and Turdus lherminieri. These loci were cross-tested on the following species: Barteria dewevrei, Barteria nigritana, Barteria solida, Cynoscion acoupa, Cynoscion jamaicensis, Cynoscion leiarchus, Cynoscion nebulosus, Cynoscion striatus, Cynoscion virescens, Macrodon ancylodon, Menticirrhus americanus, Nilaparvata muiri and Umbrina canosai. This article also documents the addition of 116 sequencing primer pairs for Dicentrarchus labrax.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2010
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2015
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 20-03-2014
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 13-10-2011
Publisher: Magnolia Press
Date: 02-07-2021
DOI: 10.11646/ZOOTAXA.4996.1.1
Abstract: Sponges that excavate and inhabit calcareous substrate, predominantly of the Clionaidae, are widely distributed in marine habitats, but are particularly erse and abundant on coral reefs. Unfortunately, their cryptic habit and difficult taxonomy mean respective taxa are poorly understood, and therefore they are rarely included in reef surveys. This is particularly true of the Southeast Asian Indo-Pacific, where a erse faunistic record is contrasted with a very limited understanding of eco-physiological requirements of these sponges. In light of this, in situ surveys of the most common bioeroding sponges in the Wakatobi region of Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia were conducted, followed by morphological and molecular analysis. The seven most common species in the Wakatobi included five species with a wide Indo-Pacific distribution and two new species. Four species, Cliona orientalis, Cliona aff. schmidtii, Spheciospongia cf. vagabunda trincomaliensis and Cliothosa hancocki have been previously reported from Indonesian waters, while Zyzzya criceta is a new record for Indonesia. Two brown sponges belonging to the Cliona viridis species complex, Cliona wakatobiensis sp. nov. and Cliona cribripora sp. nov., are here described as new to science. They were morphologically distinct from other species in the s le region and could not conclusively be allocated to any other known clionaid species. A maximum likelihood analysis of ITS1 rDNA revealed them to be phylogenetically closer to other Indo-Pacific species such as Cliona orientalis and Cliona thomasi than to other species within this taxon complex.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 17-10-2018
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-018-33294-1
Abstract: Describing life history dynamics of functionally important species is critical for successful management. Barrel sponges ( Xestospongia spp.) fill ecologically important roles on coral reefs due to their large size and water column interactions. Studies of Caribbean X. muta suggest they may be up to 1000 s of years old. However, nothing is known of barrel sponge growth rates outside the Caribbean. We assessed Indo-Pacific barrel sponge demography with a focus on specific growth rate (SGR), density, and mean volume across four sites of varying habitat quality. Four growth models were compared using Akaike’s Information Criterion using a multi-model inference approach. Age was extrapolated and validated based on sponge size on a shipwreck of known age. Sponges from different sites showed differences in density, volume gained, and mean volume, but not growth rates. Interestingly, SGRs were slightly slower than that of X. muta , yet growth models supported rapid growth published estimates of comparably sized X. muta were over twice as old as Indo-Pacific sponges (53–55 as compared to 23 years of age, respectively), although extrapolation errors are likely to increase with sponge size. This suggests that barrel sponge growth rates in the Indo-Pacific might be more comparable to Pines rather than Redwoods.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 19-12-2019
DOI: 10.1017/S0025315419001012
Abstract: Coral reefs have experienced extensive degradation across the world over the last 50 years as a result of a variety of stressors operating at a range of spatial and temporal scales. In order to assess whether declines are continuing, or if reefs are recovering, detailed baseline information is required from across wide spatial scales. Unfortunately, for some regions this information is not readily available, making future reef trajectories difficult to determine. Here we characterized the current benthic community state for coral reefs in the Wakatobi region of Indonesia, one of the most bio erse marine regions in the world. We surveyed 10 reef sites (5, 10 and 15 m depth) to explore spatial variation in coral reef benthic communities and provide a detailed baseline. Previous data (2002–2011) were available for coral, sponges, algae and soft coral at six of our study sites. Using this information, we determined if any changes had occurred in dominance of these benthic groups. We found that benthic assemblage composition differed significantly over relatively small spatial scales (2–10 km) and hard coral cover was highly variable, ranging from 7–48% (average 19.5% ± 1.5 SE). While coral cover appears to have declined at all sites where data were available since 2002, we found little evidence for widespread increases in other benthic groups or regime shifts. Our study provides a comprehensive baseline dataset for the region that can be used in the future to determine rates of change in benthic communities.
Start Date: 02-2015
End Date: 12-2018
Amount: $335,100.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
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