Phylogenetic analysis of freshwater sponges provide evidence for endemism and radiation in ancient lakes

Meixner, Martin; Lüter, Carsten; Eckert, Carsten; Ицкович, В. Б.; Janussen, Dorte; Rintelen, Thomas von; Bohne, Alexandra‐Viola; Meixner, Johannes; Hess, Wolfgang R.

doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2007.09.007

Cited by 70 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…These are a group of haplosclerid demosponges which colonized freshwater between 183 and 141 million years ago (Meixner et al, 2007). A suite of papers describing the morphology and development of canals, choanocytes and spicules established this as an easy-to-use system (Weissenfels, 1976;Weissenfels and Landschoff, 1977;Weissenfels and Striegler, 1979;Weissenfels, 1980;Weissenfels, 1981;Weissenfels and Hündgen, 1981;Weissenfels, 1982;Weissenfels, 1983;Weissenfels, 1984;Wachtmann et al, 1990;Weissenfels et al, 1990;Weissenfels, 1992).…”

Section: Model Systems In Poriferamentioning

confidence: 99%

Elements of a ‘nervous system’ in sponges

Leys

2015

Journal of Experimental Biology

123

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Genomic and transcriptomic analyses show that sponges possess a large repertoire of genes associated with neuronal processes in other animals, but what is the evidence these are used in a coordination or sensory context in sponges? The very different phylogenetic hypotheses under discussion today suggest very different scenarios for the evolution of tissues and coordination systems in early animals. The sponge genomic 'toolkit' either reflects a simple, pre-neural system used to protect the sponge filter or represents the remnants of a more complex signalling system and sponges have lost cell types, tissues and regionalization to suit their current suspensionfeeding habit. Comparative transcriptome data can be informative but need to be assessed in the context of knowledge of sponge tissue structure and physiology. Here, I examine the elements of the sponge neural toolkit including sensory cells, conduction pathways, signalling molecules and the ionic basis of signalling. The elements described do not fit the scheme of a loss of sophistication, but seem rather to reflect an early specialization for suspension feeding, which fits with the presumed ecological framework in which the first animals evolved.

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Section: Model Systems In Poriferamentioning

confidence: 99%

Elements of a ‘nervous system’ in sponges

Leys

2015

Journal of Experimental Biology

123

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“…In a taxonomic review, the former theory of close phylogenetic relationships among ancient lake sponges (Por, 1964) has been re-erected, and a new family, Malawispongiidae, encompassing five genera occurring in lakes Kinneret, Malawi, Poso, and Ohrid has been described (Manconi & Pronzato, 2002). A recent molecular study (Meixner et al, 2007), however, showed that the family Malawispongiidae is paraphyletic, and in their latest article, Manconi & Pronzato (2008) regard the genus Ohridospongilla as incertae sedis.…”

Section: Poriferamentioning

confidence: 99%

Ancient Lake Ohrid: biodiversity and evolution

2008

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Worldwide ancient lakes have been a major focal point of geological, biological, and ecological research, and key concepts in, for example, evolutionary biology are partly based on ancient lake studies. Ancient lakes can be found on most continents and climate zones with most actual or putative ancient lakes in Europe being restricted to the Balkan Region. The arguably most outstanding of them is the oligotrophic and karstic Lake Ohrid, a steep-sided graben of rift formation origin situated in the central Balkans. Here, an attempt is made to summarize current knowledge of the geological, limnological, and faunal history of Lake Ohrid. Additionally, existing data on biodiversity and endemism in Lake Ohrid are updated and evaluated, and patterns and processes of speciation are reviewed in the context of the Ohrid watershed, including its sister lake, Lake Prespa. Whereas the geological history of the Ohrid Graben is relatively well studied, there is little knowledge about the limnological and biotic history of the actual lake (e.g., the age of the extant lake or from where the lake first received its water, along with its first biota). Most workers agree on a time frame of origin for Lake Ohrid of 2-5 million years ago (Mya). However, until now, the exact limnological origin and the origin of faunal or floral elements of Lake Ohrid remain uncertain. Two largely contrasting opinions either favour the theory of de novo formation of Lake Ohrid in a dry polje with a spring or river hydrography or a palaeogeographical connection of Lake Ohrid to brackish waters on the Balkan Peninsula. Whereas neither theory can be rejected at this point, the data summarized in the current review support the de novo hypothesis. An assessment of the fauna and flora of Lake Ohrid confirms that the lake harbours an incredible endemic biodiversity. Despite the fact that some biotic groups are poorly studied or not studied at all, approximately 1,200 native species are known from the lake, including 586 animals, and at least 212 species are endemic, including 182 animals. The adjusted rate of endemicity is estimated at 36% for all taxa and 34% for Animalia. In terms of endemic biodiversity, Lake Ohrid is with these 212 known endemic species and a surface area of 358 km 2 probably the most diverse lake in the world, taking surface area into account. Preliminary phylogeographical analyses of endemic Lake Ohrid taxa indicate that the vast majority of respective sister taxa occurs in the Balkans and that therefore the most recent common ancestors of Ohrid-and non-Ohrid species likely resided in the region when Lake Ohrid came into existence. These data also indicate that there is relatively little faunal exchange and overlap between Lake Ohrid and its sister lake, Lake Prespa, despite the fact that the latter lake is a major water supplier for Lake Ohrid. Studies on selected species flocks and scatters, mostly in molluscs, point towards the assumption that only few lineages originally colonized Lake Ohrid from the Balkans and that the majority o...

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“…This is supported in part by molecular approaches (Meixner et al, 2007;Erpenbeck et al, 2011). The resolution power of molecular analyses in Porifera is not, however, fully diagnostic and needs to be improved and compared with morphological analyses.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%