Diversity and Distribution of Marine Sponges (Porifera) from the Western Coast of Morocco (South-West Mediterranean Sea)

Abstract

Nowadays, there is a huge lack of information available about the distribution and diversity of marine sponge in the Mediterranean coast of Morocco. In the present study, we identified the most abundant and common marine sponges of the western Mediterranean coast of Morocco and establish an inventory of the marine sponges described for this region. Sponge samples were collected from intertidal regions and shallow coastal waters from June 2017 to May 2018 during spring low tides. A total of 18 sponge species were identified which belonging to 13 different genera, 12 families and 9 orders. Maximum species diversity of sponges is recorded at Belyounech coast, followed by an equal number of species at Jebha and M’diaq coasts (8 species). Five species of sponges were recorded at Hoceima and only one at Merkala. The present study has indicated that the stations Belyounech, M’diaq and Jebha are rich in diversity and abundance of sponges, compared to Hoceima and Merkala. The demosponge Petrosia ficiformis was the common species, present in all sampling locations.