Diversity in the globally intertwined giant barrel sponge species complex

Swierts, T. (2019)

Doctoral Thesis

This thesis describes the genetic and prokaryotic diversity of giant barrel sponges. Although it was originally believed that the giant barrel sponges in the Atlantic
Ocean and the Indo-Pacific Ocean were two different species, our analyses showed that
there are several species in both ocean basins. Even more remarkable, is that each species is most closely related to a species in the other ocean basin. According to our analysis, there are three
giant barrel sponge species in the Atlantic Ocean, and, at least, six in the Indo-Pacific Ocean. 

Sponges house a large and diverse community of microorganisms. It is generally believed that
these microorganisms play a central role in the physiological processes in the host. It appears that the region in which a giant barrel sponge occurs
mainly determines the composition of their microbial community. However, if you look
at a smaller scale within a region, for example within one reef or around an island such
as Curaçao, it appears that not only is the geographical location important, but the host
species to which an individual belongs also plays an important role.

• Sponge
• Genetics
• Phylogeny
• Species Complex
• Microbiome
• Prokaryotes

• All authors: Swierts, T.
• Supervisor: Voogd, N.J. de; Bodegom, P.M. van
• Co-supervisor: Cleary, D.F.R.
• Committee: Tukker, A.; Vijver, M.G.; Biesmeijer, J.C.; Rozen, D.E.; Pawlik, J.; Sipkema, D.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Institute of Environmental Sciences, Science, Leiden
• Date: 2019-12-17
• ISBN (print): 9789461829887