Cliona Viridis Research Articles

Excavating and endolithic sponge species (Porifera) from the Mediterranean: species descriptions and identification key

The present study is a review of the excavating and endolithic sponges present in the Mediterranean. A dichotomic key to 22 species is presented. Detailed species descriptions are provided based on newly collected material and previous descriptions from the literature. In the case of Cliona viridis (Schmidt, 1862), an in-depth histological study has also been performed. Discussions on problematic taxonomic issues are also included. Dotona pulchella Carter, 1880 subspecies mediterranea subsp. n. is described. The previously enacted synonymy between Pione vastifica Hancock, 1849 and Pione lampa (de Laubenfels, 1950) is restricted to those specimens identified as “forma occulta”. Cliona amplicavata Rützler, 1974 is recorded for the first time in the Mediterranean. Cliona cretensis Pulitzer-Finali, 1983 is proposed to be synonymous to Cliona thoosina Topsent, 1887. Cliona copiosa Sarà, 1959 and Cliona tremitensis Sarà, 1961 are considered synonymous to C. viridis. The spicule complement of Scantilletta levispira (Topsent, 1898), D. pulchellaand C. amplicavata is enlarged, and some spicule types are better described based on light microscopy and SEM observation. Pione vastifica shows great variability in the microrhabds, seemingly related to depth. Regarding excavating patterns, several species appear to selectively excavate particular substrate types, whereas others are not selective among calcareous materials. A. labyrinthica, P. vastifica, Cliona janitrix Topsent, 1932, C. viridis and C. lobata Hancock, 1849 have asexual reproduction. Excavating ability, bud production and the way the sponge grows inside the substrate are biological features common to distant taxa such as Clionidae and Aka spp. that may constitute convergent (analogous) characters. Access to colour pictures of some of the species described at http://atlantis.ceab.csic.es/~dani/clionids.html.

Temporal and spatial co-occurrence in spawning and larval release of Cliona viridis (Porifera: Hadromerida)

This is the first report of egg release by the oviparous excavating sponge Cliona viridis. Adult specimens of excavating (α) and massive (β) sponge forms for the presence of oocytes were monitored from 11 May to 12 July 2000, in a shallow-rocky coast of the north-west Mediterranean. The immediate environment around the sponge was sampled for the presence of eggs. Spawning occurred synchronously in the study area at temperatures above 19°C. Oocytes were released in clusters enclosed in adhesive maternal tissue. They contained symbiotic zooxanthellae. Free, adhesive egg-masses drifted in the water or adhered to erect algae in the vicinity of the sponge. Morula stages and larval release are described.

New symbiotic associations involving Syllidae (Annelida: Polychaeta), with taxonomic and biological remarks on Pionosyllis magnifica and Syllis cf. armillaris

Several new symbiotic associations involving Syllidae (Annelida: Polychaeta) are reported. The number of known host sponge species infested by Haplosyllis spongicola is updated to 36, with seven hosts being reported for the first time (i.e. Aplysina corrugata, Aplysina sp., Cliona sp., Cliona viridis, Phorbas tenacior, one sponge from Iran, one sponge from Cambodia). Two infestation patterns (a few worms per host cm3 in temperate waters and 10s or 100s in tropical waters) are identified. The taxonomic and ecological characteristics of the species are discussed. Five associations occurring between four syllid worms and decapod crustaceans are fully reported for the first time. Syllis cf. armillaris, S.ferrani and S.pontxioi occurred inside gastropod shells occupied by hermit crabs as well as Pionosyllis magnifica, which was also found inside the branchial chambers of the giant crab Paralithodes camtschatica. The description of Pionosyllis magnifica is emended on the basis of the new specimens found, while some taxonomic remarks on Syllis cf. armillaris are given. In addition, further evidence of sexual (P.magnifica) and asexual (S. cf. armillaris) reproduction in symbiotic syllids is provided.

Larval bloom of the oviparous sponge Cliona viridis : coupling of larval abundance and adult distribution

We performed an intensive year-round sampling with the aim of studying the abundance of sponge larvae in four Mediterranean benthic communities: photophilic algae, sciaphilous algae, semi-obscure (i.e. low light-intensity) caves and sandy bottoms. We record here for the first time, a larval bloom of Cliona viridis (Schmidt 1862), the most common excavating sponge in the Mediterranean, which took place simultaneously in several rocky communities of the Blanes sub-littoral (NE Spain), and discuss the role of restricted larval dispersal in the distribution of adult sponges. In the communities studied, C. viridis larvae bloomed synchronously once, in June. Spawning and consequent embryo development presumably occurred in May, when water temperature was 16 °C. The free larva is a small, evenly ciliated, weakly swimming parenchymella with low dispersal capabilities. The number of larvae m−3 and sponge abundance (as percent cover and biomass) were significantly higher in the community of sciaphilous algae than in the other communities studied. Because of limited larval dispersal, larval and adult abundance in the communities were positively correlated. Larvae developed into juvenile sponges 10 to 15 d after settlement. Settlers displayed distinctive features: a peripheral cuticle, vacuolar etching-like cells at the sponge base, absence of oscular chimneys, and the presence of zooxanthellae, which were presumably transmitted during oocyte maturation.

Bioeroding sponges common to the central Australian Great Barrier Reef: Descriptions of three new species, two new records, and additions to two previously described species

A large collection of bioeroding sponges was obtained from the following reefs of the Central Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia: Myrmidon, John Brewer, Rib and Pandora Reefs, and Pelorus, Orpheus, Fantome, Great Palm, Acheron and Magnetic Islands. As many descriptive characters as possible were used including skeleton and tissue characters, but also field observationsin situ and bioerosion traces. Bioerosion traces are very similar between species; nevertheless, they yield extra information on genus level. The following sponges are described in detail:Cliona tinctoria sp. nov.,Cliona orientalis, new record for the GBR,Pione caesia sp. nov., incertae sedis,Cliothosa hancocki, new record for the GBR,Zyzzya criceta sp. nov. Descriptions of selected characters of two previously described GBR bioeroding sponges,Cliona celata andAka mucosa, are amended.C. orientalis belongs into a species group previously named as “Cliona viridis complex”, species of which are difficult to discern from each other.C. orientalis can be recognized by its spiraster morphology, i.e. by their multisplit actines along the convex side of a spiraling spiraster shaft. Summarizing tables with descriptive characters for all described species and for species of the “Cliona viridis complex” are given.

Infestation by excavating sponges on the oyster (Ostrea edulis) populations of the Blanes littoral zone (north-western Mediterranean Sea)

In order to estimate the degree of implantation of excavating sponges in the oyster populations from the littoral zone at Blanes (north-western Mediterranean Sea), a representative sample of oysters (Ostrea edulis) was collected from depths between 0.5 and 4 m in 1986. All oysters were infested by the excavating sponges Cliona viridis and Cliona celata. Infestation affected always and exclusively the lower valve always reaching the inner side. The degree of infestation proved to be independent of oyster size and weight. Colonization by contact was considered the main means of dispersion of these sponges within the oyster population. Cliona viridis and C. celata emerged as the single excavating species able to effectively compete with other non-excavating or excavating organisms when trying to colonize the particular calcareous substrate provided by oyster shells in the north-western Mediterranean Sea.

A new species ofPolydora(Polychaeta, Spionidae) associated with the excavating spongeCliona viridis(Porifera, Hadromerida) in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea

Abstract A new species of Polydora is described from the Catalan coast of the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. The species has exclusively been found in association with specimens at the three growth stages of the excavating sponge Cliona viridis, and is closely related to Polydora armata. It mainly differs from its closest relatives by: (1) the rounded entire anterior margin of the prostomium; (2) the unusual hook-shaped row arrangement of the modified spines on its posterior notopodia; and (3) the stout flattened modified spines, which have tips hooked in different degrees depending on their position on the notopodia.

Use of marine sponges as stress indicators in marine ecosystems at Algeciras Bay (southern Iberian Peninsula)

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 135:109-122 (1996) - doi:10.3354/meps135109 Use of marine sponges as stress indicators in marine ecosystems at Algeciras Bay (southern Iberian Peninsula) Carballo JL, Naranjo SA, García-Gómez JC Infralittoral sponge fauna was studied as part of a multidisciplinary investigation of benthic communities in Algeciras Bay. On a monthly basis over 1 year, a series of environmental variables were measured (hydrodynamism, silting, suspended solids, dissolved organic matter, % organic matter in silt). The only abiotic variable that was significantly correlated with beta diversity was hydrodynamism, with a linear regression model between the 2 variables showing a correlation coefficient of 0.66. The distributional pattern of the sponges (based on the relative abundance matrix) was correlated with the environmental variables by matching sample similarities using the Spearman rank correlation, thus showing that the variable combination that best explains the patterns of distribution is hydrodynamism/organic matter in silt (rhos = 0.6). Of the species considered, Phorbas fictitius, Cliona celata, Cliona viridis, Crella elegans, Oscarella lobularis, Dysidea fragilis were among those showing the greatest adaptive plasticity in their relationship to environmental variables, depth, and selection by substrate, and are categorized as eurytopic species present in areas subject to great environmental stress. Other species such as Phorbas tenacior, Reniera fulva, Reniera mucosa, Cliona rhodensis proved to be much more sensitive to these variables, and were categorized as stenotopic species, indicators of normal conditions. Due to the particular environmental conditions where it is located, Mycale micracanthoxea was categorized as a good indicator species in port environments. Others such as Dysidea avara, Halichondriabowerbanki or Crella elegans presented morphological differentiations which have permitted them to adapt to sedimentary environments. Sponge communities . Abiotic environment . Bioindicator species . Stress . Port environments Full text in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 135. Publication date: May 17, 1996 Print ISSN:0171-8630; Online ISSN:1616-1599 Copyright © 1996 Inter-Research.

Morphological and ecological differences in two electrophoretically detected species of Cliona (Porifera, Demospongiae)

Abstract The taxonomic status of different morphotypes generally ascribed to the species of boring sponge Cliona viridis is examined. Morphometric, ecological and genetic differences between two morphotypes living sympatrically on rocky shores of the Ligurian Sea are considered. Morphotype 1 is characterized by small, well separated papillae (α stage), exclusively boring into the crust of coralline algae on the exposed rocky bottoms of the upper sublittoral zone. Morphotype 2 shows bigger papillae, often connected by portions of encrusting tissue (β stage), and is predominantly found boring into organogenic concretions in slightly lighted habitats. Measurements of tylostyles indicate that morphotype 1 has spicules significantly smaller than morphotype 2. Electrophoretic analysis shows that the two morphotypes are fixed for different alleles at all four loci scored, indicating absence of gene flow between the two populations, i.e. they appear to be distinct biological species.

Do associated zooxanthellae and the nature of the substratum affect survival, attachment and growth of Cliona viridis (Porifera: Hadromerida)? An experimental approach

Massive specimens of Cliona viridis, collected off the coast of Blanes (North-Western Mediterranean Sea) in January 1987, were exposed to different light (natural day-night irradiance/constant darkness) and substrata (calcareous/siliceous) conditions to assess their influence on growth, survival and attachment rates. Sponges cultured under natural irradiance displayed higher growth rates with increasing temperature; those cultured in the dark did not respond to increased temperature, but adapted faster to laboratory conditions. Differences in growth rates between these two culture conditions are ascribed to the presence of a healthy symbiotical zooxanthellae population on individuals cultured under conditions of natural irradiance. Attachment rates of the cut sides of the sponges which were in direct contact with the substratum, also increased with increasing temperature, whilst sponge survival was not significantly dependent on temperature. The chemical nature of the substratum clearly affected survival rates, which were higher on calcified than on siliceous substrata.

Cliona Viridis(Schmidt, 1862) andCliona Nigricans(Schmidt, 1862) (Porifera, Hadromerida): evidence which shows they are the same species

Abstract The three typical growth stages of the genus Cliona (alpha, beta and gamma) have been studied in the boring species “complex” Cliona viridis. These different growth habitus have been sometimes described as different species (C. viridis and C. nigricans). In recent studies carried out off the Balearic Islands, we found that the growth stages exhibit different colour tinges, bathymetric distribution, and abundance along a vertical light gradient. These growth habitus cannot be considered as belonging to different species but to ecological adaptations because the relationship between the tylostyle length values (spicule size) and the papilla diameter (growth form) follow the allometric growth curve. The different colour tinges of the specimens were due to variations in the amount of zooxanthellae, stage of development and the depth at which the specimens were found.

The aquiferous systems ofSpongia officinalisand(Cliona viridis(Porifera) based on corrosion cast analysis

Abstract The three‐dimensional architecture of the aquiferous systems of Spongia officinalis and Cliona viridis has been studied by corrosion cast analysis. The two species present similar multi‐scale, modular canal arrangements. The incurrent systems consist of modular units with superficial small vessels, sub superficial cavities, and ducts penetrating into the sponge body. Choanocyte chambers are distributed in clumps generated by modular, branched, small canals. Canals which drain the choanocyte chambers form an anastomosed framework which converges on large vessels leading to oscules. Some canals directly connect incurrent and excurrent systems, allowing water to bypass the choanocyte chambers. Comparison with previous sponge cast analysis of Petrosia ficiformis and Chondrosia reniformis reveals a basic anatomical design which could be widespread among demo‐sponges.

Effects of grazing and damselfish territoriality on internal bioerosion of dead corals : indirect effects

An experiment was performed on Britomart Reef, Great Barrier Reef (central region), to determine the relationship between fish grazing, damselfish territoriality, and internal bioerosion of dead coral substratum. The damselfish Hemiglyphidodon plagiometopon Bleeker (Pomacentridae) was used for the study because it actively excludes herbivorous fish, particularly scarids and acanthurids, from its territories, creating undergrazed patches in the environment. Its territories simulated conditions of naturally reduced grazing. Freshly killed pieces of the plating coral Pachyseris speciosa Dana were placed under four experimental conditions: (1) within cages, excluding grazing fish; (2) within damselfish territories; (3) beneath shade tops to control for light; and (4) outside damselfish territories, fully exposed to grazers. Internal bioeroders were identified by pattern of substratum excavation and characterization of borings, and were quantified by digitizing x-ray radiographs of the substratum. Three major categories of borers were identified: Cliothosa hancocki Topsent, “other sponges” (of the Cliona viridis Schmidt species complex), and “worms” (including polychaetes and sipunculids). Variations in grazing pressure were found to significantly alter the taxonomic composition of the bioeroder community. Bioerosion by C. hancocki, a boring sponge with large exposed papillae, was found to increase significantly when grazing was reduced within damselfish territories. By contrast, other boring sponges of the C. viridis complex decreased in abundance; they were not affected by higher sedimentation in cages. The response of bioerosion by “worms” was less clear but increased slightly within damselfish territories. This was due primarily to a shift in taxonomic composition and dominance from polychaetes to sipunculids (particularly Cleosiphon aspergillum Quatrefages). The effects of grazing on the internal bioeroder community were often altered or obscured in the caged treatments; this was most likely due to caging artifacts such as increased sedimentation and decreased light. In general, bioerosion rates of the substratum P. speciosa were low in comparison to rates established or estimated for corals with less dense skeletons. Total internal bioerosion rates did not vary significantly with changes in grazing pressure. This study implies that, overall, reduced grazing pressure will lead to production of fine sediments derived from internal bioeroders. Under high grazing pressures, the addition of external bioerosion effected directly by grazers would also produce coarse sediment, resulting in an increase in total bioerosion rates (internal and external) and an increased contribution of both coarse and fine sediments to the reef environment.

Sterols from some sponges

The sterol composition of four sponges was determined by a combination of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Cliona viridis and Chondrosia reniformis contained mainly C 27-C 29 Δ 5 mono- and di-unsaturated sterols. Halichondria bowerbanki and Hymeniacidon sanguinea contained stanols and Δ 5-sterols. Cholestanol was the major component of the sterol mixtures.

Free amino acids in some sponges

Most invertebrates, particularly those of marine origin, have relatively high concentrations of free amino acids which are considered an important constituent of their osmoregulatory mechanisms [1]. Very little information is available on the free amino acid distribution in Porifera [2,3]. Common amino acids in some sponges were recognised by paper chromatography by Inskip and Cassidy [4] and Ackermann et al. [5,6] included a few sponges in their survey of the occurence of nitrogen compounds in marine invertebrates. More recently Bergquist and Hartman [7] surveyed semiquantitatively the distribution of free amino acids in several sponges. In the present paper we report on the amino acid composition of 12 species of sponges belonging to the class Demospongiae as a part of a study on the metabolites of Porifera [8]. Fresh sponges were extracted with aqueous ethanol. The organic solvent was removed and the aqueous solution, after removal of the ether soluble compounds, was separated into cationic, anionic and neutral fractions by ion-exchange chromatography. The cation fraction was analysed for amino acids using an automatic amino acid analyser. The results, which are presented in Table 1, show that all species of sponges examined have a similar composition in common amino acids. Glycine almost always appears as the dominant protein amino acid, followed by high concentrations of alanine and glutamic acid, whereas relatively lower concentrations of basic amino acids are present. In Axinella cannabina, Chondrosia reniformis, Chondrilla nucula, Cliona viridis and Hymeniacidon sanguinea, glycine represents more than 77% of the total amino acids. The high percentage of free glycine (90.4%) in Chondrosia reniformis is noteworthy. The anionic and the neutral fractions were examined for sulfur-containing amino acids using PC. Taurine (Table 2) was detected in all the Porifera examined; this is in agreement with previous observations [5–7]. N-Methyltaurine was identified in some of the species examined, whereas neither N,N-dimethyltaurine nor N,N,N-trimethyltaurine were found.

Ricerche sul gonocorismo ed ermufroditismo nei Poriferi

Summary The sexual behaviour of four species of Demosponges, three oviparous Hadro-merina with small eggs and one viviparous Halichondrina with large eggs has been studied on populations occurring in the Bay of Naples. In the three species of Hadromerina which have been examined various sexual conditions have been found: contemporary hermaphroditism in Cliona viridis, successive proteroginous hermaphroditism in Polymastia mammillaris, possibly gonochorism in Aaplos aaptos (where heterologous sexual elements ripe at the same time). In the Halichondrina Hymeniacidon sanguinea heterologous sexual elements ripe at the same time in different specimens, but the sex ratio is anomalous and in almost all the specimens, more frequent, with male cells, ovocytes are present which degenerate during growth. This is therefore a condition of labile gonochorism or potential hermaphroditism. Finally the A. has remarked a different type of maturation of homologous sexual elements in the species which have been examined: synchronous in P. mammillaris and asynchronous in H. sanguinea.