Temporal molecular and isotopic analysis of active bacterial communities in two New Zealand sponges

The characterization of changes in microbial communities is an essential step towards a better understanding of host-microbe associations. It is well established that sponges (phylum Porifera) harbour a diverse and abundant microbial community, but it is not known whether these microbial communities change over time. Here, we followed two sponge species (Ancorina alata and Tethya stolonifera) over a 2-year sampling period using RNA (16S rRNA)-based amplicon pyrosequencing and bulk stable isotope analysis (13C and 15N). A total of 4468 unique operational taxonomic units (OTUs) was identified, which were affiliated with 26 bacterial phyla. Bacterial communities of both sponge species were remarkably stable throughout the monitoring period, driven by a small number of OTUs that dominated their respective communities. Variability of sponge-associated bacterial communities was driven by OTUs that were low in abundance or transient over time. Stable isotope analysis provided evidence of both bacteria- and host-derived nutrients and their variability throughout the season. While 15N values were similar, significant differences were found in 13C of sponge tissue, indicative of a varying reliance on particulate organic matter as a carbon source. Further temporal studies, such as those undertaken here, will be highly valuable to identify which members of a sponge bacterial community are truly symbiotic in nature.