Holobiont associated changes to virome communitys in Rhopaloeides odorabile under thermal stress

Here we explore how the sponge-associated viral community responds to elevated seawater temperature using the model sponge species R. odorabile. Previous studies identhfied the thermal threshold of 32 °C where microbial community begins to shift and host sponges begin to succumb to mortality events. This study exposed R. odorabile to control (28.5°C) and elevated (32°C) temperature treatments for 48 h in order to characterise virome community shifts associated with thermal stress response.