DNA metabarcoding suggests adaptive seasonal variation of individual trophic traits in a critically endangered fish.

Dietary studies are critical for understanding foraging strategies and have important applications in conservation and habitat management. We applied a robust metabarcoding protocol to characterize the diet of the critically endangered freshwater fish Zingel asper (the Rhone streber). We conducted modelling and simulation analyses to identify and characterize some of the drivers of individual trophic trait variation in this species. We found that population density and ontogeny had minor effects on the trophic niche of Z. asper. Instead, our results suggest that the majority of trophic niche variation was driven by seasonal variation in ecological opportunity. The total trophic niche width of Z. asper seasonally expanded to include a broader range of prey. Furthermore, null model simulations revealed that the increase of between-individual variation in autumn indicates that Z. asper become more opportunistic relative to summer and spring, rather than being associated with a seasonal specialization of individuals. Overall, our results suggest an adaptive variation of individual trophic traits in Z. asper: the species mainly consumes a few ephemeropteran taxa (Baetis fuscatus and Ecdyonurus) but seems to be capable of adapting its foraging strategy to maintain its body condition. This study illustrates how metabarcoding data obtained from faeces can be validated and combined with individual-based modelling and simulation approaches to explore inter- and intrapopulational individual trophic traits variation and to test hypotheses in the conventional analytic framework of trophic ecology.

Tissue homeostasis in sponges: Quantitative analysis of cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Tissues of multicellular animals are maintained due to a tight balance between cell proliferation and programmed cell death. Sponges are early branching metazoans essential to understanding the key mechanisms of tissue homeostasis. This article is dedicated to the comparative analysis of proliferation and apoptosis in intact tissues of two sponges, Halisarca dujardinii (class Demospongiae) and Leucosolenia variabilis (class Calcarea). Labeled nucleotides EdU and anti-phosphorylated histone 3 antibodies reveal a considerable number of cycling cells in intact tissues of both species. Quantitative DNA staining reveals the classic cell cycle distribution curve. The main type of cycling cells are choanocytes - flagellated cells of the aquiferous system. The rate of proliferation remains constant throughout various areas of sponge bodies that contain choanocytes. The EdU tracking experiments conducted in H. dujardinii indicate that choanocytes may give rise to mesohyl cells through migration. The number of apoptotic cells in tissues of both species is insignificant, although being comparable to the renewing tissues of other animals. In vivo studies with tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester and CellEvent Caspase-3/7 indicate that apoptosis might be independent of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization. Altogether, a combination of confocal laser scanning microscopy and flow cytometry provides a quantitative description of cell proliferation and apoptosis in sponges displaying either rapid growth or cell turnover.

Studying Porifera WBR Using the Calcerous Sponges Leucosolenia.

Sponges (Porifera), basal nonbilaterian metazoans, are well known for their high regenerative capacities ranging from reparation of a lost body wall to whole-body regeneration from a small piece of tissues or even from dissociated cells. Sponges from different clades utilize different cell sources and various morphological processes to complete the regeneration. This variety makes these animals promising models for studying the evolution of regeneration in Metazoa. However, there are few publications concerning the regenerative mechanisms in sponges. This could be partially explained by the delicacy of sponge tissues, which requires modifying and fine adjusting of common research protocols. The current chapter describes various methods for studying regeneration processes in the marine calcareous sponge, Leucosolenia. Provided protocols span all significant research steps: from sponge collection and surgical operations to various types of microscopy and immunohistochemical studies.

Fine details of the choanocyte filter apparatus in asconoid calcareous sponges (Porifera: Calcarea) revealed by ruthenium red fixation.

Sponges (phylum Porifera) are highly specialized filter-feeding metazoans, pumping and filtering water with a network of canals and chambers, the aquiferous system. Most sponges have a leuconoid aquiferous system, characterized by choanocytes organized in small spherical chambers connected with ambient water by a complex net of canals. Such organization requires substantial pressure difference to drive water through an elaborate system of canals, so the choanocytes in leuconoid sponges have several structural features to generate pressure difference. In contrast, it is generally accepted that asconoid and syconoid sponges with long choanocyte tubes or large choanocyte chambers have no similar structures in their choanocytes. The present study is devoted to the detailed ultrastructural analysis of the choanocytes and their filter apparatus in the asconoid calcareous sponge Leucosolenia variabilis. The general structure of L. variabilis choanocytes is similar to that described for other sponge species. However, the fixation with 0.1% ruthenium red allowed us to reveal for the first time a complex of glycocalyx structures (vanes on the flagella, a fine glycocalyx sealing microvilli in the collar, and a glycocalyx strainer, embedding the apical parts of neighboring collars) in the choanocytes of L. variabilis, which are traditionally associated with the pumping and filtration process in leuconoid demosponges. All revealed glycocalyx structures have dimensions and locations similar to those found in the choanocyte chambers of some demosponges. The data suggest that L. variabilis utilizes the principles of water pumping and filtration similar to those in demosponges and revealed glycocalyx structures are potentially crucial for these processes. It seems that sponges from distant phylogenetic lineages and with different body plans rely on common principles of choanoderm organization for effective pumping and filtration of water. However, while some adaptation for effective pumping and filtration of water have possibly arisen before the diversification of Porifera, others have appeared independently in different lineages.

Transdifferentiation and mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition during regeneration in Demospongiae (Porifera).

Origin and early evolution of regeneration mechanisms remain among the most pressing questions in animal regeneration biology. Porifera have exceptional regenerative capacities and, as early Metazoan lineage, are a promising model for studying evolutionary aspects of regeneration. Here, we focus on reparative regeneration of the body wall in the Mediterranean demosponge Aplysina cavernicola. The epithelialization of the wound surface is completed within 2 days, and the wound is completely healed within 2 weeks. The regeneration is accompanied with the formation of a mass of undifferentiated cells (blastema), which consists of archaeocytes, dedifferentiated choanocytes, anucleated amoebocytes, and differentiated spherulous cells. The main mechanisms of A. cavernicola regeneration are cell dedifferentiation with active migration and subsequent redifferentiation or transdifferentiation of polypotent cells through the mesenchymal-to-epithelial transformation. The main cell sources of the regeneration are archaeocytes and choanocytes. At early stages of the regeneration, the blastema almost devoid of cell proliferation, but after 24 hr postoperation (hpo) and up to 72 hpo numerous DNA-synthesizing cells appear there. In contrast to intact tissues, where vast majority of DNA-synthesizing cells are choanocytes, all 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine-labeled cells in the blastema are mesohyl cells. Intact tissues, distant from the wound, retains intact level of cell proliferation during whole regeneration process. For the first time, the apoptosis was studied during the regeneration of sponges. Two waves of apoptosis were detected during A. cavernicola regeneration: The first wave at 6-12 hpo and the second wave at 48-72 hpo.

From traveler to homebody: Which signaling mechanisms sponge larvae use to become adult sponges?

Cell-to-cell signaling is responsible for regulation of many developmental processes such as proliferation, cell migration, survival, cell fate specification and axis patterning. In this article we discussed the role of signaling in the metamorphosis of sponges with a focus on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) accompanying this event. Sponges (Porifera) are an ancient lineage of morphologically simple animals occupying a basal position on the tree of life. The study of these animals is necessary for understanding the origin of multicellularity and the evolution of developmental processes. Development of sponges is quite diverse. It finishes with the metamorphosis of a free-swimming larva into a young settled sponge. The outer surface of sponge larvae consists of a ciliated epithelial sheath, which ensures locomotion, while their internal structure varies from genus to genus. The fate of larval ciliated cells is the most intriguing aspect of metamorphosis. In this review we discuss the fate of larval ciliated cells, the processes going on in cells during metamorphosis at the molecular level and the regulation of this process. The review is based on information about several sponge species with a focus on Halisarca dujardini, Sycon ciliatum and Amphimedon queenslandica. In our model sponge, H. dujardini, ciliated cells leave the larval epithelium during metamorphosis and migrate to the internal cell mass as amoeboid cells to be differentiated into choanocytes of the juvenile sponge. Ciliated cells undergo EMT and internalize within minutes. As EMT involves the disappearance of adherens junctions and as cadherin, the main adherens junction protein, was identified in the transcriptome of several sponges, we suppose that EMT is regulated through cadherin-containing adherens junctions between ciliated cells. We failed to identify the master genes of EMT in the H. dujardini transcriptome, possibly because transcription was absent in the sequenced stages. They may be revealed by a search in the genome. The master genes themselves are controlled by various signaling pathways. Sponges have all the six signaling pathways conserved in Metazoa: Wnt, TGF-beta, Hedgehog, Notch, FGF and NO-dependent pathways. Summarizing the new data about intercellular communication in sponges, we can put forward two main questions regarding metamorphosis: (1) Which of the signaling pathways and in what hierarchical order are involved in metamorphosis? (2) How is the organization of a young sponge related to that of the larva or, in other words, is there a heredity of axes between the larva and the adult sponge?

Sewing up the wounds : The epithelial morphogenesis as a central mechanism of calcaronean sponge regeneration.

Sponges (Porifera) demonstrate prominent regeneration abilities and possess a wide variety of mechanisms, used during this process. In the current study, we combined in vivo observations with histological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural technics to elucidate the fine cellular mechanisms of the regeneration in the calcareous sponge Leucosolenia cf. variabilis. The regeneration of Leucosolenia cf. variabilis ends within 4-6 days. The crucial step of the process is the formation of the transient regenerative membrane, formed by the epithelial morphogenesis-spreading of the intact exopinacoderm and choanoderm. The spreading of the choanoderm is accompanied by the transdifferentiation of the choanocytes. The regenerative membrane develops without any contribution of the mesohyl cells. Subsequently, the membrane gradually transforms into the body wall. The cell proliferation is neither affected nor contributes to the regeneration at any stage. Thus, Leucosolenia cf. variabilis regeneration relies on the remodeling of the intact tissues through the epithelial morphogenesis, accompanied by the transdifferentiation of some differentiated cell types, which makes it similar to the regeneration in homoscleromorphs and eumetazoans.

Transcriptome sequencing and delimitation of sympatric Oscarella species (O. carmela and O. pearsei sp. nov) from California, USA.

The homoscleromorph sponge Oscarella carmela, first described from central California, USA is shown to represent two superficially similar but both morphologically and phylogenetically distinct species that are co-distributed. We here describe a new species as Oscarella pearsei, sp. nov. and re-describe Oscarella carmela; the original description was based upon material from both species. Further, we correct the identification of published genomic/transcriptomic resources that were originally attributed to O. carmela, and present new Illumina-sequenced transcriptome assemblies for each of these species, and the mitochondrial genome sequence for O. pearsei sp. nov. Using SSU and LSU ribosomal DNA and the mitochondrial genome, we report the phylogenetic relationships of these species relative to other Oscarella species, and find strong support for the placement of O. pearsei sp. nov. in a distinct clade within genus Oscarella defined by the presence of spherulous cells that contain paracrystalline inclusions; O. carmela lacks this cell type. Oscarella pearsei sp. nov and O. carmela can be tentatively distinguished based upon gross morphological differences such as color, surface texture and extent of mucus production, but can be more reliably identified using mitochondrial and nuclear barcode sequencing, ultrastructural characteristics of cells in the mesohyl, and the morphology of the follicle epithelium which surrounds the developing embryo in reproductively active individuals.

How a collaborative integrated taxonomic effort has trained new spongiologists and improved knowledge of Martinique Island (French Antilles, eastern Caribbean Sea) marine biodiversity.

Although sponges are important components of benthic ecosystems of the Caribbean Sea, their diversity remained poorly investigated in the Lesser Antilles. By organizing a training course in Martinique, we wanted both to promote taxonomy and to provide a first inventory of the sponge diversity on this island. The course was like a naturalist expedition, with a field laboratory and a classroom nearby. Early-career scientists and environmental managers were trained in sponge taxonomy. We gathered unpublished data and conducted an inventory at 13 coastal sites. We explored only shallow water habitats (0-30 m), such as mangroves, reefs or rocky bottoms and underwater caves. According to this study, the sponge fauna of Martinique is currently represented by a minimum of 191 species, 134 of which we could assign species names. One third of the remaining non-identified sponge species we consider to be new to science. Martinique appears very remarkable because of its littoral marine fauna harboring sponge aggregations with high biomass and species diversity dominating over coral species. In mangroves, sponges cover about 10% of the surface of subtidal roots. Several submarine caves are true reservoirs of hidden and insufficiently described sponge diversity. Thanks to this new collaborative effort, the Eastern Caribbean has gained a significant increase of knowledge, with sponge diversity of this area potentially representing 40% of the total in the Caribbean Sea. We thus demonstrated the importance of developing exploratory and educational research in areas historically devoid of biodiversity inventories and systematics studies. Finally, we believe in the necessity to consider not only the number of species but their distribution in space to evaluate their putative contribution to ecosystem services and our willingness to preserve them.

Integrative taxonomic re-description of Halisarca magellanica and description of a new species of Halisarca (Porifera, Demospongiae) from Chilean Patagonia.

A series of recent expeditions in fjords and canals of Southern Chilean Patagonia allowed the re-collection of Halisarca magellanica Topsent, 1901 and the discovery of a new species, Halisarca desqueyrouxae sp. nov. The material studied was collected at depths ranging from 3 to 30 m at latitudes comprised between 42° and 49°S. Both species share the same habitat and show a morphological plasticity, but differ in their colour. Halisarca magellanica is bright pink to whitish with three morphs whereas H. desqueyrouxae sp. nov. is light brown to beige with two morphs. An extensive investigation in TEM and SEM reveals several differences among cell types with inclusions between both species. Three distinct spherulous cells occur. Type 1 is shared by both species, Type 2 is occasional in H. magellanica but absent from H. desqueyrouxae sp. nov. Type 3 is rare in H. magellanica and occurs abundantly in half of the specimens of H. desqueyrouxae sp. nov. Granular cells are shared by both species but do not occur in all specimens. Microgranular cells are characteristic of H. magellanica. Both species also clearly differ by their endobiotic bacteria. Phylogenetic analysis of cox1 sequences places H. magellanica as a sister group to all other previously published Halisarca species sequences (9.1-9.7% difference) except H. harmelini, while H. desqueyrouxae sp. nov. is placed as a sister group to H. dujardini (2.3% difference).

Matrotrophy and placentation in invertebrates: a new paradigm.

Matrotrophy, the continuous extra-vitelline supply of nutrients from the parent to the progeny during gestation, is one of the masterpieces of nature, contributing to offspring fitness and often correlated with evolutionary diversification. The most elaborate form of matrotrophy-placentotrophy-is well known for its broad occurrence among vertebrates, but the comparative distribution and structural diversity of matrotrophic expression among invertebrates is wanting. In the first comprehensive analysis of matrotrophy across the animal kingdom, we report that regardless of the degree of expression, it is established or inferred in at least 21 of 34 animal phyla, significantly exceeding previous accounts and changing the old paradigm that these phenomena are infrequent among invertebrates. In 10 phyla, matrotrophy is represented by only one or a few species, whereas in 11 it is either not uncommon or widespread and even pervasive. Among invertebrate phyla, Platyhelminthes, Arthropoda and Bryozoa dominate, with 162, 83 and 53 partly or wholly matrotrophic families, respectively. In comparison, Chordata has more than 220 families that include or consist entirely of matrotrophic species. We analysed the distribution of reproductive patterns among and within invertebrate phyla using recently published molecular phylogenies: matrotrophy has seemingly evolved at least 140 times in all major superclades: Parazoa and Eumetazoa, Radiata and Bilateria, Protostomia and Deuterostomia, Lophotrochozoa and Ecdysozoa. In Cycliophora and some Digenea, it may have evolved twice in the same life cycle. The provisioning of developing young is associated with almost all known types of incubation chambers, with matrotrophic viviparity more widespread (20 phyla) than brooding (10 phyla). In nine phyla, both matrotrophic incubation types are present. Matrotrophy is expressed in five nutritive modes, of which histotrophy and placentotrophy are most prevalent. Oophagy, embryophagy and histophagy are rarer, plausibly evolving through heterochronous development of the embryonic mouthparts and digestive system. During gestation, matrotrophic modes can shift, intergrade, and be performed simultaneously. Invertebrate matrotrophic adaptations are less complex structurally than in chordates, but they are more diverse, being formed either by a parent, embryo, or both. In a broad and still preliminary sense, there are indications of trends or grades of evolutionarily increasing complexity of nutritive structures: formation of (i) local zones of enhanced nutritional transport (placental analogues), including specialized parent-offspring cell complexes and various appendages increasing the entire secreting and absorbing surfaces as well as the contact surface between embryo and parent, (ii) compartmentalization of the common incubatory space into more compact and 'isolated' chambers with presumably more effective nutritional relationships, and (iii) internal secretory ('milk') glands. Some placental analogues in onychophorans and arthropods mimic the simplest placental variants in vertebrates, comprising striking examples of convergent evolution acting at all levels-positional, structural and physiological.

Transdifferentiation is a driving force of regeneration in Halisarca dujardini (Demospongiae, Porifera).

The ability to regenerate is widespread in the animal kingdom, but the regenerative capacities and mechanisms vary widely. To understand the evolutionary history of the diverse regeneration mechanisms, the regeneration processes must be studied in early-evolved metazoans in addition to the traditional bilaterian and cnidarian models. For this purpose, we have combined several microscopy techniques to study mechanisms of regeneration in the demosponge Halisarca dujardini. The objectives of this work are to detect the cells and morphogenetic processes involved in Halisarca regeneration. We show that in Halisarca there are three main sources of the new exopinacoderm during regeneration: choanocytes, archaeocytes and (rarely) endopinacocytes. Here we show that epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) occur during Halisarca regeneration. EMT is the principal mechanism during the first stages of regeneration, soon after the injury. Epithelial cells from damaged and adjacent intact choanocyte chambers and aquiferous canals assume mesenchymal phenotype and migrate into the mesohyl. Together with archaeocytes, these cells form an undifferentiated cell mass beneath of wound, which we refer to as a blastema. After the blastema is formed, MET becomes the principal mechanism of regeneration. Altogether, we demonstrate that regeneration in demosponges involves a variety of processes utilized during regeneration in other animals (e.g., cell migration, dedifferentiation, blastema formation) and points to the particular importance of transdifferentiation in this process. Further studies will be needed to uncover the molecular mechanisms governing regeneration in sponges.

Oscarella lobularis (Homoscleromorpha, Porifera) Regeneration: Epithelial Morphogenesis and Metaplasia.

Sponges are known to possess remarkable reconstitutive and regenerative abilities ranging from common wounding or body part regeneration to more impressive re-building of a functional body from dissociated cells. Among the four sponge classes, Homoscleromorpha is notably the only sponge group to possess morphologically distinct basement membrane and specialized cell-junctions, and is therefore considered to possess true epithelia. The consequence of this peculiar organization is the predominance of epithelial morphogenesis during ontogenesis of these sponges. In this work we reveal the underlying cellular mechanisms used during morphogenesis accompanying ectosome regeneration in the homoscleromorph sponge model: Oscarella lobularis. We identified three main sources of novel exopinacoderm during the processes of its regeneration and the restoration of functional peripheral parts of the aquiferous system in O. lobularis: (1) intact exopinacoderm surrounding the wound surface, (2) the endopinacoderm from peripheral exhalant and inhalant canals, and (3) the intact choanoderm found on the wound surface. The basic morphogenetic processes during regeneration are the spreading and fusion of epithelial sheets that merge into one continuous epithelium. Transdifferentiation of choanocytes into exopinacocytes is also present. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition is absent during regeneration. Moreover, we cannot reveal any other morphologically distinct pluripotent cells. In Oscarella, neither blastema formation nor local dedifferentiation and proliferation have been detected, which is probably due to the high morphogenetic plasticity of the tissue. Regeneration in O. lobularis goes through cell transdifferentiation and through the processes, when lost body parts are replaced by the remodeling of the remaining tissue. Morphogenesis during ectosome regeneration in O. lobularis is correlated with its true epithelial organization. Knowledge of the morphological basis of morphogenesis during Oscarella regeneration could have important implications for our understanding of the diversity and evolution of regeneration mechanisms in metazoans, and is a strong basis for future investigations with molecular-biological approaches.

Systematics and molecular phylogeny of the family oscarellidae (homoscleromorpha) with description of two new oscarella species.

The family Oscarellidae is one of the two families in the class Homoscleromorpha (phylum Porifera) and is characterized by the absence of a skeleton and the presence of a specific mitochondrial gene, tatC. This family currently encompasses sponges in two genera: Oscarella with 17 described species and Pseudocorticium with one described species. Although sponges in this group are relatively well-studied, phylogenetic relationships among members of Oscarellidae and the validity of genus Pseudocorticium remain open questions. Here we present a phylogenetic analysis of Oscarellidae using four markers (18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, atp6, tatC), and argue that it should become a mono-generic family, with Pseudocorticium being synonymized with Oscarella, and with the transfer of Pseudocorticium jarrei to Oscarella jarrei. We show that the genus Oscarella can be subdivided into four clades, each of which is supported by either a small number of morphological characters or by molecular synapomorphies. In addition, we describe two new species of Oscarella from Norwegian fjords: O. bergenensis sp. nov. and O. nicolae sp. nov., and we compare their morphology, anatomy, and cytology with other species in this genus. Internal anatomical characters are similar in both species, but details of external morphology and particularly of cytological characters provide diagnostic features. Our study also confirms that O. lobularis and O. tuberculata are two distinct polychromic sibling species. This study highlights the difficulties of species identification in skeleton-less sponges and, more generally, in groups where morphological characters are scarce. Adopting a multi-marker approach is thus highly suitable for these groups.

Cellular and molecular processes leading to embryo formation in sponges: evidences for high conservation of processes throughout animal evolution.

The emergence of multicellularity is regarded as one of the major evolutionary events of life. This transition unicellularity/pluricellularity was acquired independently several times (King 2004). The acquisition of multicellularity implies the emergence of cellular cohesion and means of communication, as well as molecular mechanisms enabling the control of morphogenesis and body plan patterning. Some of these molecular tools seem to have predated the acquisition of multicellularity while others are regarded as the acquisition of specific lineages. Morphogenesis consists in the spatial migration of cells or cell layers during embryonic development, metamorphosis, asexual reproduction, growth, and regeneration, resulting in the formation and patterning of a body. In this paper, our aim is to review what is currently known concerning basal metazoans--sponges' morphogenesis from the tissular, cellular, and molecular points of view--and what remains to elucidate. Our review attempts to show that morphogenetic processes found in sponges are as diverse and complex as those found in other animals. In true epithelial sponges (Homoscleromorpha), as well as in others, we find similar cell/layer movements, cellular shape changes involved in major morphogenetic processes such as embryogenesis or larval metamorphosis. Thus, sponges can provide information enabling us to better understand early animal evolution at the molecular level but also at the cell/cell layer level. Indeed, comparison of molecular tools will only be of value if accompanied by functional data and expression studies during morphogenetic processes.

Biochemical trade-offs: evidence for ecologically linked secondary metabolism of the sponge Oscarella balibaloi.

Secondary metabolite production is assumed to be costly and therefore the resource allocation to their production should be optimized with respect to primary biological functions such as growth or reproduction. Sponges are known to produce a great diversity of secondary metabolites with powerful biological activities that may explain their domination in some hard substrate communities both in terms of diversity and biomass. Oscarella balibaloi (Homoscleromorpha) is a recently described, highly dynamic species, which often overgrows other sessile marine invertebrates. Bioactivity measurements (standardized Microtox assay) and metabolic fingerprints were used as indicators of the baseline variations of the O. balibaloi secondary metabolism, and related to the sponge reproductive effort over two years. The bioactivity showed a significant seasonal variation with the lowest values at the end of spring and in early summer followed by the highest bioactivity in the late summer and autumn. An effect of the seawater temperature was detected, with a significantly higher bioactivity in warm conditions. There was also a tendency of a higher bioactivity when O. balibaloi was found overgrowing other sponge species. Metabolic fingerprints revealed the existence of three principal metabolic phenotypes: phenotype 1 exhibited by a majority of low bioactive, female individuals, whereas phenotypes 2 and 3 correspond to a majority of highly bioactive, non-reproductive individuals. The bioactivity was negatively correlated to the reproductive effort, minimal bioactivities coinciding with the period of embryogenesis and larval development. Our results fit the Optimal Defense Theory with an investment in the reproduction mainly shaping the secondary metabolism variability, and a less pronounced influence of other biotic (species interaction) and abiotic (temperature) factors.

Lysophospholipids in the Mediterranean sponge Oscarella tuberculata: seasonal variability and putative biological role.

Lysophospholipids (LPLs) are recognized as important signaling molecules in metazoan cells. LPLs seem to be widely distributed among marine invertebrates, but their physiological role remains poorly known. Marine sponges produce original phospholipids and LPLs whose isolation and structural elucidation rarely have been reported. Two LPLs were isolated for the first time from the Mediterranean Homoscleromorph sponge Oscarella tuberculata: a bioactive lyso-PAF already identified in some other sponge species; and the new lysophosphatidylethanolamine C20:2 (LPE 1). The expression of LPL metabolites was investigated over time to determine their baseline variations and to relate them to the sponge reproduction pattern in order to better understand their putative role in the sponge life cycle. Expression levels of both compounds appeared to be highly correlated displaying significant seasonal fluctuations with maximal values in summer and minimal in winter. A significant higher LPL content was detected in reproductive sponges and especially in females, with a peak occurring during embryogenesis and larval development. The results suggest that LPLs could play a role of mediators in sponge embryogenesis and morphogenesis.

Long-term cultivation of primmorphs from freshwater Baikal sponges Lubomirskia baikalensis.

The work was aimed at performing long-term cultivation of primmorphs in vitro from freshwater sponge Lubomirskia baikalensis (Pallas 1776), collected from Lake Baikal, obtaining its long-term primmorph culture in both natural (NBW) and artificial (ABW) Baikal water and at identifying the impact of different environmental factors on formation and growth of primmorphs. The first fine aggregates of L. baikalensis are formed in vitro 10-15 min after dissociation of sponge cells. Epithelization of aggregates begins 4 h later after the dissociation. Young primmorphs are formed 1 or 2 days later. The surface of primmorphs is covered with a layer of exopinacocytes. The primmorphs remain viable for more than 10 months at 3-6 °C. Over 50% of primmorphs in NBW and 25% in ABW are attached to the substrate and grow like adult sponges. Thus, the long-term primmorph cultivation in vitro allows the creation of a controlled live model system under experimental conditions. The results of this work will allow the creation of a cell culture collection of Baikal freshwater sponges for studying morphogenesis of primmorphs during cultivation at different stages and transdifferentiation of their cells, physiological functions of sponge cells, processes of spiculogenesis, identification of proteins involved in biomineralization process, decoding of their genes, as well as a spectrum of secondary metabolites.

Molecular phylogeny restores the supra-generic subdivision of homoscleromorph sponges (Porifera, Homoscleromorpha).

BACKGROUND: Homoscleromorpha is the fourth major sponge lineage, recently recognized to be distinct from the Demospongiae. It contains <100 described species of exclusively marine sponges that have been traditionally subdivided into 7 genera based on morphological characters. Because some of the morphological features of the homoscleromorphs are shared with eumetazoans and are absent in other sponges, the phylogenetic position of the group has been investigated in several recent studies. However, the phylogenetic relationships within the group remain unexplored by modern methods. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Here we describe the first molecular phylogeny of Homoscleromorpha based on nuclear (18S and 28S rDNA) and complete mitochondrial DNA sequence data that focuses on inter-generic relationships. Our results revealed two robust clades within this group, one containing the spiculate species (genera Plakina, Plakortis, Plakinastrella and Corticium) and the other containing aspiculate species (genera Oscarella and Pseudocorticium), thus rejecting a close relationship between Pseudocorticium and Corticium. Among the spiculate species, we found affinities between the Plakortis and Plakinastrella genera, and between the Plakina and Corticium. The validity of these clades is furthermore supported by specific morphological characters, notably the type of spicules. Furthermore, the monophyly of the Corticium genus is supported while the monophyly of Plakina is not. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: As the result of our study we propose to restore the pre-1995 subdivision of Homoscleromorpha into two families: Plakinidae Schulze, 1880 for spiculate species and Oscarellidae Lendenfeld, 1887 for aspiculate species that had been rejected after the description of the genus Pseudocorticium. We also note that the two families of homoscleromorphs exhibit evolutionary stable, but have drastically distinct mitochondrial genome organizations that differ in gene content and gene order.

Origin and evolution of the Notch signalling pathway: an overview from eukaryotic genomes.

BACKGROUND: Of the 20 or so signal transduction pathways that orchestrate cell-cell interactions in metazoans, seven are involved during development. One of these is the Notch signalling pathway which regulates cellular identity, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis via the developmental processes of lateral inhibition and boundary induction. In light of this essential role played in metazoan development, we surveyed a wide range of eukaryotic genomes to determine the origin and evolution of the components and auxiliary factors that compose and modulate this pathway. RESULTS: We searched for 22 components of the Notch pathway in 35 different species that represent 8 major clades of eukaryotes, performed phylogenetic analyses and compared the domain compositions of the two fundamental molecules: the receptor Notch and its ligands Delta/Jagged. We confirm that a Notch pathway, with true receptors and ligands is specific to the Metazoa. This study also sheds light on the deep ancestry of a number of genes involved in this pathway, while other members are revealed to have a more recent origin. The origin of several components can be accounted for by the shuffling of pre-existing protein domains, or via lateral gene transfer. In addition, certain domains have appeared de novo more recently, and can be considered metazoan synapomorphies. CONCLUSION: The Notch signalling pathway emerged in Metazoa via a diversity of molecular mechanisms, incorporating both novel and ancient protein domains during eukaryote evolution. Thus, a functional Notch signalling pathway was probably present in Urmetazoa.