Biology subjects

Lorente-Sorolla, J. M.

Publications and source records attributed to Lorente-Sorolla, J. M..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Genomic connectivity and adaptation signals of the freshwater sponge Ephydatia muelleri across its distribution

1.Freshwater sponges fulfill critical ecological functions, including maintaining water quality, regulating nutrient dynamics, offering habitats for diverse taxa, and serving as a vital food source for various species. However, their patterns of dispersal and genetic connectivity remain inadequately understood, posing significant challenges to effective conservation assessments. We examined genetic connectivity and genetic adaptation to local environmental conditions in Ephydatia muelleri across its geographic range using ddRADseq-derived SNPs from 106 individuals collected from 11 localities spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. Analysis of 3,182 neutral SNPs revealed low connectivity and strong genetic structure among regions within two main genetic clusters of North America and Eurasia, while 115 SNPs identified to be under selection showed considerable evidence for differentiated, polygenic adaptation to light and temperature conditions across sampled locations, as well as selection on gene regulatory processes. These findings align with the "monopolization hypothesis", suggesting that historical climatic and geological conditions of the Last Glacial Maximum, including habitat expansion, contraction, and natural barriers, have contributed more to the current genetic structure of E. muelleri populations than contemporary gene flow, which is restricted by monopolistic habitat colonization by this species. Our results provide novel support for ecological theory on dispersal in aquatic invertebrates, as well as insights into the plasticity of E. muelleri in the face of varying environmental conditions that are fundamentally important for freshwater ecosystem conservation.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2024

The archaeal class Nitrososphaeria is a key player of the reproductive microbiome in sponges during gametogenesis

Sponge-associated microbes play fundamental roles in regulating their hosts physiology, yet their contribution to sexual reproduction has been largely overlooked. Most studies have concentrated on the proportion of the microbiome transmitted from parents to offspring, providing little evidence of the putative microbial functions during gametogenesis in sponges. Here, we use 16S rRNA gene analysis to assess whether the microbial composition of five gonochoristic sponge species differs between reproductive and non-reproductive individuals and correlate these changes with their gametogenic stages. In sponges with mature oocytes, reproductive status did not influence either beta or alpha microbial diversity. Interestingly, in two of the studied species, Geodia macandrewii and Petrosia ficiformis, which presented oocytes at the previtellogenic stage, significant microbial composition changes were detected between reproductive and non-reproductive individuals. These disparities were primarily driven by differentially abundant taxa affiliated with the Nitrososphaeria archaeal class in both species. We speculate that the previtellogenic stages are more energetically demanding, leading to microbial changes due to the phagocytosis of microbes to meet nutritional demands during this period. Supporting our hypothesis, we observed significant transcriptomic differences in G. macandrewii, mainly associated with the immune system, indicating potential changes in the sponges recognition system. Overall, we provide the first insights into the possible roles of sponge microbiomes during reproductive periods, potentially uncovering critical interactions that support reproductive success.

microbiology↗