Abstract
Sponges have long been considered as “living hotels” due to the great diversity and abundance of other taxonomic groups often found in association with them. Sponges are the dominant components of benthic communities in the Levant Sea; and especially in the recently discovered mesophotic sponge grounds off the coast of Israel. However, almost no data exist regarding their associated macrofauna. The current study sought to identify the macrofauna associated with massive sponges along the Israeli Mediterranean coast; and to compare the role of sponges, as ecosystem engineers, or “living hotels,” in both the shallow-water and mesophotic habitats. Sixty-four massive sponge specimens, from 10 different species, were collected from shallow and mesophotic habitats by SCUBA diving and Remotely Operated Vehicle, respectively. Sponge volume was estimated, specimens were dissected, and the associated macrofauna were identified. Our results reveal that the sponges supported a diverse assemblage of associated macrofauna. A total of 61 associated taxa were found, including species reported for the first time in Israel. A clear, differentiation existed in the structure of the associated assemblage between the two habitats, which is mainly attributed to four species (two polychaetes, a crustacean, and a brittle star). The trophic composition remained stable across the two habitats. No correlation was found between sponge volume and the associated fauna community parameters. The highest richness of associated fauna was found in the mesophotic habitat, where sponge diversity is also higher. In contrast, a greater endobiont abundance and density were recorded in the shallow habitat, where massive sponges may be a limiting factor due to their lower richness and abundance. Our findings emphasize the importance of sponges as ecosystem engineers, and suggest that sponge diversity may be an important factor that contribute to benthic biodiversity in these regions.
Highlights
Sponges are essential, often dominant components of benthic communities and interact with a wide range of other organisms (Wulff, 2006; Becerro, 2008)
Because statistical analysis was constrained by the un-even availability of sponge specimens of each species, the above-noted parameters were tested only for the six sponge species for which we had more than three replicates: three from the mesophotic habitat (Ircinia oros, Ircinia variabilis, and Stryphnus mucronatus) and three from the shallow habitat (Fasciospongia cavernosa, Ircinia variabilis, and S. spinosulus)
The present study has shown that sponges along the Israeli coast provide a habitat for a diverse community of endobionts
Summary
Sponges (phylum Porifera) are essential, often dominant components of benthic communities and interact with a wide range of other organisms (Wulff, 2006; Becerro, 2008). They have long been considered as “living hotels” due to the great diversity and abundance of those other taxonomic groups found in association with them, such as polychaetes, crustaceans, echinoderms, and more (Pearse, 1950; Klitgaard, 1995; Ribeiro et al, 2003). In serving as a habitat for a myriad of associated taxa, sponges constitute important reservoirs of marine biodiversity (Cerrano et al, 2006)
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