Sponge Richness Research Articles

Marine sponges of the rocky reefs of Punta Amapala, El Salvador, eastern Tropical Pacific

Sponges represent one of the groups with the greatest abundance and diversity among invertebrates. They tolerate a wide range of environmental factors allowing them to surpass the survival of other organisms. Punta Amapala is located between the eastern coastal plain and the Gulf of Fonseca, El Salvador, characterized by the presence of rocky reefs surrounded by sand. Sponge richness, frequency and distribution of rocky reefs at Punta Amapala was recorded following the transect and quadrat methodology. The study resulted in the recording of ten taxa: Aplysina gerardogreeni, Haliclona spp., Axinella nayaritensis, Endectyon (Endectyon) hyle, Mycale (Carmia) cecilia, M. (Zygomycale) ramulosa, Tedania (Tedania) tropicalis, Cliona californiana, C. euryphylle and a sponge of the subclass Calcinea (Calcarea). It is necessary to increase the studies directed to this group in order to know with greater accuracy their richness in the reefs of El Salvador and thus to understand the ecological role they play in ecosystem.

New records of demosponges (Porifera) from the South Orkney Islands (Antarctica) with a checklist for the region.

The South Orkney Islands (SOI) is a poorly studied Antarctic archipelago located in the Scotia Arc. In this study, we added 25 Demospongiae species to the SOI known sponge richness, which was previously represented by only 16 species. Of these, 22 species represent new records for SOI region, although they were previously recorded from other Antarctic sectors. Samples were collected during two Argentinean Antarctic Research Cruises onboard RV Puerto Deseado. The most frequently collected species were Artemisina apollinis, Iophon gaussi, I. unicorne, Lissodendoryx (E.) ramilobosa, Myxodoryx hanitschi and Tedania (T.) tantula. Data and illustrations of some rare or uncommon species are provided: Iophon gaussi, Lissodendoryx (E.) anacantha, Microxina charcoti, Raspailia (H.) hentscheli, Haliclona spongiosissima, Haliclona (G.) cf. cucurbitiformis. Although the present results increase substantially the previously known information on sponge species, this is still an underestimation of total richness because certain orders (Tetractinellida, Suberitida, Biemnida, Polymastiida) and classes were not studied during the current investigation, although previous records were included.

Sponge community (Porifera) in coral reef ecosystem in Sabang, Aceh Province, Indonesia

Abstract. Aulia ED, Hadi TA, Utama RS. 2021. Sponge community (Porifera) in coral reef ecosystem in Sabang, Aceh Province, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 3394-3402. Sponges are one of the most influential benthic organisms in coral reef ecosystems. Many studies about sponge communities have been carried out globally, from tropical to temperate regions. In Indonesia, however, sponge communities have not been adequately observed, especially their diversity and interaction with habitats. Sabang, a developing city located in the northwest of Indonesia, has a lack of information about benthic communities and no reports about sponges. This study investigated the sponge community (species richness, coverage, and morphological characters) and the interactions, both within sponges and with corals and substrates, in Sabang. The study found that the sponge richness (species and morphology) and coverage are categorized as poor, having only 24 species with seven morphologies, and coverage of 1.79 ± 1.03% (SE). The interaction analyses showed significant relationships occur among sponge variables but not between sponges and corals, nor between sponges and their substrates. These results could be attributed to the hydrodynamic-related stresses in Sabang, which are likely influenced by exposure to the open ocean, a condition that is less favorable to diversity and interaction. It is necessary to regularly monitor the condition of benthic communities in Sabang in order to better understand their stable state and detect any change over time.

New discoveries in Eastern Mediterranean mesophotic sponge grounds: updated checklist and description of three novel sponge species

Rich and diverse mesophotic sponge grounds were recently discovered along the easternmost part of the Mediterranean Sea (Israeli coast). Six sites have been surveyed over the last decade (2009-2019) and the sponge specimens discovered and collected in these expeditions have increased the known sponge richness of the Israeli fauna by ~34%. Here we provide an updated checklist along with the distribution of the various species in seven mesophotic sponge grounds along the coast. Nine mesophotic species have been added, seven of which are new to the Israeli coast. Moreover, we describe three novel species: Hemiasterella verai sp. nov., Axinella venusta sp. nov., and Plakortis mesophotica sp. nov. H. verai sp. nov. differs from other congeneric species in both shape and color; in addition, it has thinner megascleres with more abundant oxeas and microscleres containing both oxyasters and strongylasters. A. venusta sp. nov. is a rather stiff and smooth axinellid with only a few short protruding spicules, and differs from other congeneric species mainly in shape and color. P. mesophotica sp. nov. is characterized by many folds and grooves, and molecular analysis revealed only a 96% similarity with Plakorits simplex.The discovery of these novel species highlights the importance of studying ecosystems that are not readily accessible. Further research of these mesophotic sponge grounds is needed in order to establish the community baseline data and support conservation attempts for these unique habitats.

Sponging up diversity: Evaluating metabarcoding performance for a taxonomically challenging phylum within a complex cryptobenthic community

AbstractDespite their ecological importance, sponges are often avoided in biodiversity studies and monitoring programs because they are notoriously difficult to identify using morphological or molecular methods. Here, we investigate the metabarcoding performance of universal degenerate cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) primers in detecting species from this challenging phylum in a cryptobenthic community. Twenty‐two modified Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) were deployed for 2 years in mesocosms receiving unfiltered seawater from an adjacent reef slope. Upon recovery, each unit was inspected by a marine sponge taxonomist who used a combination of taxonomy, imagery, and DNA barcoding (28S rRNA and COI) to identify sponges and generate a validated taxonomic richness value for each ARMS unit. A total of 69 unique sponge barcoded morphologies (BMs) were identified from the classes Calcarea, Demospongiae, and Homoscleromorpha. Metabarcoding identified 41 unique sponge molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) from Demospongiae and Homoscleromorpha but the primers failed to amplify any species from the class Calcarea which comprised 22% of the BMs. Sponge richness did not differ between BMs and MOTUs assigned to the classes Demospongiae and Homoscleromorpha. However, assignments at the order and family level in Demospongiae underscore known limitations in sponge taxonomic resolution using the COI gene. The prevalence of false positives within the order Suberitida and the pervasiveness of false negatives within the order Haplosclerida highlighted both technical and biological constraints in the metabarcoding method. Overall, these results confirm the need for discretion in sponge MOTU assignments using universal degenerate barcoding primers that target a short fragment of the COI gene. However, they also demonstrate that COI metabarcoding is capable of capturing sponge richness from a complex natural community.

The dynamics of a Mediterranean coralligenous sponge assemblage at decennial and millennial temporal scales.

This paper concerns the changes occurred over both decennial and millennial spans of time in a sponge assemblage present in coralligenous biogenic build-ups growing at 15 m depth in the Ligurian Sea (Western Mediterranean). The comparison of the sponge diversity after a time interval of about 40 years (1973–2014) showed a significant reduction in species richness (about 45%). This decrease affected mainly the massive/erect sponges, and in particular the subclass Keratosa, with a species loss of 67%, while the encrusting and cavity dwelling sponges lost the 36% and 50%, respectively. The boring sponges lost only one species (25%). This changing pattern suggested that the inner habitat of the bioconstructions was less affected by the variations of the environmental conditions or by the human pressures which, on the contrary, strongly affected the species living on the surface of the biogenic build-ups. Five cores extracted from the bioherms, dating back to 3500 YBP, allowed to analyse the siliceous spicules remained trapped in them in order to obtain taxonomic information. Changes at generic level in diversity and abundance were observed at 500/250-years intervals, ranging between 19 and 33 genera. The number of genera showed a sharp decrease since 3500–3000 to 3000–2500 YBP. After this period, the genera regularly increased until 1500–1250 YBP, from when they progressively decreased until 1000–500 YBP. Tentatively, these changes could be related to the different climatic periods that followed one another in the Mediterranean area within the considered time span. The recent depletion in sponge richness recorded in the Ligurian coralligenous can be considered relevant. In fact, the analysis of the spicules indicated that the sponges living in these coralligenous habitats remained enough stable during 3000 years, but could have lost a significant part of their biodiversity in the last decades, coinciding with a series of warming episodes.

Sponge richness on algae-dominated rocky reefs in the western Antarctic Peninsula and the Magellan Strait

Sponges are important components of high-latitude benthic communities, but their diversity and abundance in algal-dominated rocky reefs has been underestimated because of the difficulty of in situ identification. Further, the influence of canopy-forming algae on sponge richness has been poorly studied in southern high-latitude rocky reefs compared to other latitudes. Here, we quantified taxon richness of sponges in algae-dominated rocky reefs at three sites in the western Antarctic Peninsula (62–64° S) and two sites in the Magellan region (53° S). We found higher sponge richness at sites in Antarctica (15) than in Magallanes (8), with Antarctic sponge richness higher than that reported for Arctic algal beds and similar to that reported for temperate regions. Estimated sponge richness at our Antarctic sites highlights diverse sponge assemblages (16–26 taxa) between 5 and 20 m that are typically dominated by macroalgae. Our results suggest that sponge assemblages associated with canopy-forming macroalgae on...

ESQUEMAS DE DISTRIBUCIÓN DE ESPONJAS ARRECIFALES (PORIFERA) DEL NOROCCIDENTE DEL GOLFO DE URABÁ, CARIBE SUR, COLOMBIA

The North-West of Urabá Gulf in the Southern Caribbean supports a variety of coral reef zones in conditions of high turbulence and fluctuating turbidity and salinity. Sponge composition and density were surveyed and their relationship with physical and structural features of the reef zones were analyzed. In total, 65 demosponges and 1 calcareous sponge species were encountered along belt transects (20 m2) on 11 stations between 1 and 17 m in depth. Sponge density in Urabá tended to be higher than in other areas with water conditions optimal for coral reef development (i.e. Roncador, Serrana and Quitasueño remote oceanic atolls in the SW Caribbean, Colombia) due possibly to higher concentrations of organic suspended materials discharged from rivers. Nevertheless, this effect was not reflected in the Urabá‘s species richness as just a limited number of species (Niphates erecta, Iotrochota birotulata and Mycale laevis) had high densities. Multivariate analyses showed that sponge community composition varies along a depth gradient and across habitats (coral and geomorphological zones), similar to the patterns observed in other Caribbean areas. However, marked taxonomic differences between shallow (<4 m) and deeper (>6 m) zones and the great increase of the sponge density below just 6 m, seem to be a unique feature of Urabá. The absence of many species and the low abundance of sponges in shallow zones (< 6 m) may be due, not only to the variables associated to low depth, like turbulence, which is periodically very strong, but also to great fluctuations in surface salinity due to discharges of the Atrato and other local rivers. The shallow and deep stations that had low sponge richness and density, showed the greatest urchin densities (especially Echinometra viridis); therefore, it is possible that these urchins may be playing an additional controlling role on sponge populations.

New insights into the abyssal sponge fauna of the Kurile–Kamchatka plain and Trench region (Northwest Pacific)

The under-explored abyssal depths of the Kurile–Kamchatka region have been re-examined during the KuramBio (Kurile–Kamchatka Biodiversity Study) expedition. Combining new KuramBio data with previous expedition data in this region has enhanced our understanding abyssal sponge fauna, in particular, the patchiness, rarity, and exceptional richness of the Cladorhizidae family. In total, 14 sponge species, from 7 genera, in 5 families, within two classes (Demospongiae and Hexactinellida) were collected. Of the 14 species, 29% (4 spp.) have been found previously in this region, 36% (5 spp.) were new to the regional abyssal fauna, and 21% (3 spp.) were new to science. The number of abyssal species in this region has now been increased by 26% (8 spp.) and genera by nearly 15% (2 genera). Rarity is a prominent feature of this abyssal fauna, with more than half of species only found at one station, and 83% (19 spp.) of species found previously in this region were not re-found during KuramBio. Cladorhizid sponges dominate demosponge species and genera richness in the abyssal Kurile–Kamchatka region; accounting for 87% (20 spp.) of all demosponge species, and accounting for over 60% (5 genera) of all demosponge genera. Sponge richness in this region is potentially aided by the productivity of the ocean waters, the geological age of the Pacific Ocean, low population densities, and the varied topographic features (ridges, trenches, and seamounts) found in this region. Unusually, the dominance of demosponges in the Kurile–Kamchatka sponge faunal composition is not replicated in other well-sampled abyssal regions, which tend to be richer in deep-sea hexactinellid fauna. Broad depth, latitudinal and longitudinal ranges in Kurile–Kamchatka abyssal fauna are a key characteristic of this faunal assemblage. Strong abyssal faunal connectivity is found between the Kurile–Kamchatka region and North Pacific abyssal fauna, with weaker faunal connections found with the adjacent semi-enclosed seas of Japan and Okhotsk. The importance of the dominant sub-Polar Gyre currents, the vast area of abyssal plain and similar levels of productivity, are likely to be driving the strong faunal connectivity in the North Pacific. The importance of utilising several forms of sampling equipment has been illustrated in this study, with half of all specimens caught with non-AGT (Agassiz trawl) equipment.

Sponge biodiversity and ecology of the Van Diemen Rise and eastern Joseph Bonaparte Gulf, northern Australia

Australia is increasingly recognised as a global hotspot for sponge biodiversity, but there is a knowledge gap about sponge communities in northern Australia, including those in Commonwealth Marine Reserves. We aim to quantify sponge biodiversity of the eastern Joseph Bonaparte Gulf and adjacent Van Diemen Rise (VDR) and to examine spatial and environmental patterns in community structure. Sponges were collected with a benthic sled from 65 sites encompassing five geomorphic features (bank, terrace, ridge, plain, and valley), study area (as a proxy for distance offshore) and three environmental variables (depth, substrate hardness, and slope). A total of 283 species were collected, representing four classes, 53 families and at least 117 genera. Sponge richness and biomass were related to those of other taxa. Sponge diversity was generally highest further offshore and on raised geomorphic features, particularly banks. Sponge assemblages on the same bank were more similar than those from different banks, although full interpretation of patterns is limited by the relatively low sampling effort. The current study will help facilitate integrated marine management by providing a baseline species inventory, supporting the VDR’s carbonate banks as a key ecological feature, and highlighting the importance of sponges as habitat providers and potential biological surrogates for monitoring.

A new Clathria (Demospongiae, Microcionidae) from Peru occurring on rocky substrates as well as epibiontic on Eucidaris thouarsii sea urchins

Southeastern Pacific sponges (Phylum Porifera) range among the world’s least known faunas, with only 13 species reported to date from the entire Peruvian coast. This state of affairs motivated the onset of two large, cooperative, exploratory initiatives, with the aim of mapping sponge richness and distribution in the area: Proyectos ESPER and EsponjAS. Over 800 specimens have been collected in Peru since 2007, with identifications still in progress. Among these, a sponge species originally thought to be an exclusive epibiont on Eucidaris thouarsii sea urchins, relatively conspicuous on Peru’s Punta Sal region. This sponge, latter found to occur on additional substrates too, is described as a new species of Clathria (Microciona). Cidarid density ranged between 1.5 and 12/m 2 , and largest diameter of the tests between 3.2 and 5.6 cm. Total number of spines on each sea urchin varied between 68 and 96, and percent sponge coverage of these, between 18.2 and 75.7. There appears to be only a slight tendency for increased sponge coverage on larger sea urchins, so there may be factors, other than sea urchin age, shaping this association. Clathria (Microciona) aculeofila sp. nov. can be markedly dominant as an epibiont on E. thouarsii, albeit the great sponge richness in the area. This is in contrast to the allegedly opportunistic, diverse epibiosis by sponges reported previously for Antarctic cidaroids.

Sponge richness along a bathymetric gradient within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa

A total of 96 species of sponge were recorded in a bathymetric survey conducted within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Non-random processes are hypothesised to account for the decline in species richness with increasing depth, and the data add support to Rapoport’s rule. Morphological and colour diversity were strongly correlated and decreased with depth. Five communities could be identified at the 30% level of similarity using cluster analysis, and these correspond to intertidal and shallow subtidal (to 10 m), deep sub-photic zone (coral reefs: 10–30 m), deep reefs (40–90 m), canyon margin (100–140 m) and canyon (140–360 m). The data add support to recently hypothesised bathymetric zones around South Africa.

Sponge epibionts on ecosystem-engineering ascidians: The case of Microcosmus sabatieri

The study of epibionts on habitat engineering ascidians is of increasing interest because changes in the population structure of the latter may affect associated communities, especially in the case of commercially exploited species. The solitary ascidian Microcosmus sabatieri lives on rocky cliffs in the Eastern Mediterranean and is harvested in certain Aegean areas. Its hard, wrinkled tunic is usually fouled by various epibionts both sessile and motile. Sponges are an important component of this complex and their biomass may be higher than that of the ascidian itself, strongly affecting diversity and abundance of the motile epifauna. The aim of this study was to examine in detail the structure of the epibiotic sponge assemblage on ascidians collected from their main fishing grounds in the South Aegean Sea. A rich (41 species) and taxonomically diverse sponge assemblage was found, while only eight species contributed 80% of the total sponge cover. Most of the epibiotic sponges commonly grow on the surrounding sublittoral cliffs. The encrusting sponge growth form prevailed in cover of the ascidian tunic, while two massive species dominated in terms of frequency of appearance and abundance. Ascidian dimensions, weight and volume were significantly correlated with sponge diversity, abundance and cover area, thus structuring the epibiotic sponge assemblage. Spatial patterns in sponge cover were not clear, but a general declining NW to SE trend in sponge richness, abundance and cover appeared in accordance with previous records. Sponge distribution on the ascidian tunic presented a clear pattern related with characteristic features of the ascidian: the posterior zone supported the richest and most expansive sponge fauna. The ecosystem-engineering process performed by the ascidian is enhanced by the diverse epibiotic sponge assemblage, thus further increasing habitat complexity in this space-limited, temperate, sublittoral, rocky environment.

Patterns of sponge biodiversity and abundance across different biogeographic regions

Few studies have compared the underlying nature or structure of marine communities and assemblages across broad spatial scales, despite the importance of such comparisons in understanding global scale responses to environmental change and biodiversity conservation. The aim of this study was to examine the consistency of relationships between sponge abundance and richness on the undersides of boulders (to control for multiple confounding factors) in relation to space availability (boulder size) in three widely separated biogeographic regions. Sponges followed typical species-area (SA) relationships irrespective of site or ocean and we consistently found no decrease in sponge richness at larger boulder sizes. We also found reliable underlying density–area (DA) relationships, with larger boulders supporting more sponge patches at all sites. Although the general SA and DA relationships were similar between oceans and sites, the exact nature of these relationships in terms of the actual species present per unit area, total number of species present or density differed between sites. There were no consistent differences between SA and DA relationships at each locality, suggesting that although disturbance (particularly wave action) regimes may play an important role in controlling sponge biodiversity and abundance, its effects are manifested differently at local-scales. Even though boulders have received a considerable amount of research effort over the past three decades, this is the first study to examine the consistency of DA and SA relationships between ocean basins, finding similar relationships.

The use of volunteers for conducting sponge biodiversity assessments and monitoring using a morphological approach on Indo‐Pacific coral reefs

Abstract Sponges are an important component of coral reef ecosystems, but even though they are widespread with the ability to significantly influence other benthic community members they rarely feature to any great extent in current monitoring or biodiversity assessment programmes conducted by volunteer and professional groups. This exclusion is usually because of the taxonomic problems associated with sponge identification. A potential alternative to monitoring temporal or spatial change in sponge assemblages and assessing biodiversity levels is to characterize sponges using morphologies present rather than collecting species data. Quantifying sponge biodiversity (for monitoring and biodiversity assessments) at the morphological level is less time and resource consuming than collecting species data and more suited to groups with little training and experience of sponge taxonomy or in regions where detailed taxonomic information on sponges is sparse. This paper considers whether the same differences and similarities in sponge richness and assemblage composition can be identified using species and morphological data in response to environmental gradients at two coral reef ecosystems in south‐east Sulawesi, Indonesia, and whether volunteers can be used to reliably collect morphological information. Sponge morphologies were classified into 14 groups and different morphological assemblages were found by the author at the two sites and between depth intervals. Comparisons of sponge species and morphological composition data showed that common patterns in assemblage structuring and richness could be identified irrespective of whether morphological or species data were used. In addition, a positive linear relationship was found between sponge species and morphological richness. The morphological data recorded by volunteer divers (n=10) were compared with that collected by the author. Although volunteers recorded fewer sponges than the author (approximately 15% less), missing mainly small encrusting specimens, similar assemblage structure could be identified from both the volunteers' and the author's data. The results showed that the same differences in sponge assemblages between sites and depths could be identified from both species and morphological data. In addition, these morphological data could be reliably collected by volunteer divers. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Latitudinal Ranges of Teleost Fish in the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific Oceans

Latitudinal Ranges of Teleost Fish in the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific Oceans

Patterns in sponge (Porifera) assemblages on temperate coastal reefs off Sydney, Australia

Pattern and process in deep-water macrobenthic assemblages have largely been inferred from the study of such assemblages on shaded artificial structures in relatively shallow water. This paper examines patterns in the diversity and abundance of sponges to a depth of 50 m on coastal reefs off Sydney, Australia. Photo-quadrats were used to provide estimates of the species richness and percentage cover of sponges on three reefs. Sponge morphotype (i.e. encrusting or massive) was also recorded. Within-reef variation was examined by nesting three sites within each reef at each of three depths; replicate photo-quadrats (0.45 m², n = 5) were taken at each site. In addition, a remotely operated vehicle was used to collect voucher specimens. Over 50 species of sponge were identified, many of which have never been described. In general, sponge richness increased with depth, as did the number of erect or massive forms. In contrast, cover decreased with depth, particularly for encrusting sponges. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed considerable small-scale spatial and temporal variation in sponge distribution and abundance. A significant positive relationship between richness and cover was also apparent. In general, there were greater temporal changes in the patterns of abundance for the shallow reef assemblages at 20 m, relative to those at 30 m and 50 m.