Abstract
Correct identification and classification of sponges is challenging due to ambiguous or misleading morphological features. A particular case is a blue keratose sponge occasionally referred to as the “Blue Photo Sponge” among aquarists, which appears frequently (and in several cases unintended) in private aquaria. This spicule-less species, occasionally specified as Collospongia auris Bergquist, Cambie & Kernan 1990, not only displays a high phenotypic plasticity in growth form and colour, it also proliferates in aquacultures under standard conditions unlike most other sponges. Therefore, this species is regarded as a pest for most aquarists. In turn, the ease of cultivation and propagation in aquacultures qualifies this species as a model organism for a wide array of scientific applications. For these purposes, correct identification and classification are indispensable. We reconstructed ribosomal gene trees and determined this species as Lendenfeldia chondrodes (De Laubenfels, 1954) (Phyllospongiinae), distant to Collospongia auris, and corroborated by skeletal features. Additionally, the resulting phylogeny corroborated major shortcomings of the current Phyllospongiinae classification—its consequences are discussed.
Highlights
Animal identification at species level still relies predominantly on the use of diagnostic morphological characters, applying mostly morphology-based species concepts (Mayr, 1963; see e.g., De Queiroz, 2007)
Sponges (Phylum Porifera) are challenging as their morphological characters are often difficult to apply for species delineation
This study aims to identify and classify this poriferan ‘‘Pest with Potential’’ and assess its phylogenetic position and genetic variation in order to provide a solid taxonomic foundation for all aspects of subsequent research on this cultivable species
Summary
Animal identification at species level still relies predominantly on the use of diagnostic morphological characters, applying mostly morphology-based species concepts (Mayr, 1963; see e.g., De Queiroz, 2007). Sponges (Phylum Porifera) are challenging as their morphological characters are often difficult to apply for species delineation. Sponge taxonomy is based on skeletal features, which in most lineages consist of siliceous or calcareous spicules, and/or an organic fibrous skeleton. Morphological characters in sponges are subject to considerable levels of homoplasy, and unintentional pooling of two or more distinct species under a single name (cryptic species) can frequently occur (e.g., Reveillaud et al, 2010). Swierts et al, 2013) and skeletal (e.g. Cárdenas & Rapp, 2013) morphologies to different morphotypes, can severely hamper unambiguous morphological identification Environmentally induced phenotypic plasticity, which may transform external (e.g. Swierts et al, 2013) and skeletal (e.g. Cárdenas & Rapp, 2013) morphologies to different morphotypes, can severely hamper unambiguous morphological identification
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