No abstract

Ko Losin, the southernmost offshore islet in the Gulf of Thailand is one of the most naturally, less anthropogenic disturbed coral reefs in Thailand and the home of the major sessile organisms: corals and sponges. This study aims to investigate the natural patterns of association (interactions) between marine sponges and the associated organisms. The types of interaction were classified into 4 categories: Gap, Overgrown, Tissue contact, and Overgrow. The investigation focused on four genera of sponges: Chondrilla, Hyrtios, Cinachyrella, and Xestospongia. Chondrillid sponge showed the high frequency of inhabiting associated organisms. Some hermatypic corals such as Montiporian corals and Porites corals were highly proportioned to the associated organisms. The gap and overgrown interactions were recorded in this study.