Allorecognition and chimera formation in calcareous sponges (Porifera, Calcarea)

• Grant number: 13/04084-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: June 01, 2013
• End date: May 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Compared Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Márcio Reis Custódio
• Grantee: Márcio Reis Custódio
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Michelle Regina Lemos Klautau

Abstract

One of the basic requirements for multicellularity is the capacity of self-recognition. However, some marine organisms found in the fusion of their bodies or colonies a good solution for the lack of substrate in the sea. Fusion in these organisms may occur even among genetically different individuals, resulting in chimers, what seems to be a counterpoint to the evolution of allorecognition. Sponges are extant representatives of the first multicellular animals. In this group, chimers formation was recently observed and used to explain the high genetic variability of sponges allied to a high population structure. In the present project, using molecular (microsatellites) and morphological (fluorescent markers) tools, we are going to study the possible formation of chimers in calcareous sponges; if there is an allomaturity age and what is the contribution of somatic mutation in these animals populations. At last, we will evaluate if there exists correlation between body shape (amorphous or not) and a higher or lesser fusion capacity and if there is chimera formation. This study is original and will allow us to better understand allorecognition mechanisms in sponges and their dynamics with body shape, highlighting new information on the evolution of multicellularity. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

RIBEIRO, BARBARA; PADUA, ANDRE; PAIVA, PAULO CESAR; CUSTODIO, MARCIO REIS; KLAUTAU, MICHELLE. Exploitation of micro refuges and epibiosis: survival strategies of a calcareous sponge. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, v. 98, n. 3, p. 495-503, MAY 2018. (13/04084-4)

PADUA, ANDRE; LEOCORNY, PEDRO; CUSTODIO, MARCIO REIS; KLAUTAU, MICHELLE. Fragmentation, Fusion, and Genetic Homogeneity in a Calcareous Sponge (Porifera, Calcarea). JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART A-ECOLOGICAL GENETICS AND PHYSIOLOGY, v. 325, n. 5, p. 294-303, JUN 1 2016. (13/04084-4)