Fauna Associated with the Sponges Aplysina archeri and Aplysina lacunosa in a Coral Reef of the Archipiélago de Los Roques, National Park, Venezuela

At least 242 epi-and infauna species were found, of which 115 are reported as sponge associates for the first time in the North Atlantic. Sixty species, 19 genera and 1 family are recorded for the first time from the Faroes. Two hundred and twenty-five taxa were found as epifauna on the sponges, three taxa occurred as infauna and 14 taxa both as epi-and infauna.The morphology of the sponges influences the occurrence and composition of the represented fauna. Thus, the largest number of taxa were present on sponges having a spicule 'fur'. A number of species showed preference for the oscular cavities of S. ponderosus and the incurrent furrow of T. levis and T. valdiviae. Only one sponge predator, Hanleya nagelfar, was found. The majority of the associated fauna uses the sponges as a substratum. Three categories of direct effect of interactions between the sponges and the associated fauna are proposed. The results of the present investigation show that demosponges constitute a substratum for a large number of benthic taxa on the outer shelf and upper slope in the northeastern Atlantic, and that the scarcity of earlier reports is a result of insufficient investigation. It is suggested that the fauna associated with sponges in temperate to cold waters is facultative, representing the fauna of the local geographical area. This is in contrast to the large number of apparently obligate associates of Porifera in warm tropical waters.

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“…Similar associations between species of Munida and sponges have been reported by HARTNOLL & al. (1992) and VILLAMIZAR & LAUGHLIN (1991).…”

Section: The Sponges As Foodmentioning

confidence: 98%

The fauna associated with outer shelf and upper slope sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae) at the Faroe Islands, northeastern Atlantic

Klitgaard

1995

Sarsia

143

132

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“…Species composition of the associated fauna has been listed in various sponges (Pearse, 1932(Pearse, , 1950Long, 1968;Pansini, 1970;Frith, 1976;Rutzler, 1976;Westinga & Hoetjes, 1981;Villamizar & Laughlin, 1991;Han et al, 1994;Koukouras et al, 1996), with particular attention on the relationships between hosts and endobionts (Forester, 1979;Uriz et al, 1992;Willenz & Hartman, 1994;Meroz & Ilan, 1995;van Soest & Verseveldt, 1987;Tsurumi & Reiswig, 1997;Magnino & Gaino, 1998). In this respect, a wide spectrum of interpretations is available, from common parasitic or commensal behaviour to close relationships, such as protective mutualism (Forester, 1979), cohabitation symbiosis (Uriz et al, 1992;Meroz & Ilan, 1995), and structural co-operation (Wiedenmayer, 1977;Vacelet, 1981;van Soest & Verseveldt, 1987).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fauna associated with the horny spongeAnomoianthella lamellaPulitzer‐Finali & Pronzato, 1999 (Ianthellidae, Demospongiae) from Papua‐New Guinea

Magnino

Pronzato

Sarà

et al. 1999

Italian Journal of Zoology

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The relationships between the tropical sponge Anomoianthella lamella Pulitzer-Finali & Pronzato, 1999 (from Papua-New Guinea) and its endobionts, the barnacle Acasta sp. and the polychaete Haplosyllis spongicola (Grube, 1855), were analysed using optical and scanning electron microscope techniques. The specimens of Acasta sp. live in the mesohyl, close to the inhalant surface of the sponge, where they reach a mean density of 12.7 -10 cm -2 . Their apical region is delimited by a thin layer of sponge collagen, whereas sponge cells (archeocytes and lophocytes) gather along the rest of the body of the endobiont. While the barnacles adhere to the spongin skeleton network, the polychaetes H. spongicola are esclusive to the exhalant canals of the sponge aquiferous system, where they reach a mean density of 57 individuals-cm" 2 . No evidence of sponge reaction to H. spongicola was observed. Potential benefits for the barnacle are protection, against predation and mechanical disturbance, and trophic advantages. Conversely, the barnacle may contribute to strengthen the sponge skeletal network. The association with polychaetes can be regarded as a simple commensalism-parasitism relationship.

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“…Some of these animals attach to the surface of the sponges, but many more are found living inside the canals and spaces within the sponge and can be thought of as endofauna (Saffo 1992). Previous studies have related the composition of this endofaunal community to the availability of space within the sponge (Pearse 1950, Villamizar & Laughlin 1991, variation in the morphology of the sponge (Koukouras et al 1992, Klitgaard 1995 and local environmental conditions such as depth and habitat of collection (Pearse 1950, Peattie & Hoare 1981, Westinga & Hoetjes 1981, Ribeiro et al 2003. The potential effects of the chemical composition of different sponges on their endofaunal community have also been noted (Villamizar & Laughlin 1991).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Living in a potentially toxic environment: comparisons of endofauna in two congeneric sponges from the Great Barrier Reef

Skilleter¹,

Russell²,

Degnan³

et al. 2005

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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The abundance and community composition of the endofauna in 2 species of sponge, Haliclona sp. 1 and Haliclona sp. 2 (phylum Porifera: order Haplosclerida), were examined at different sites on the slope at Heron Island Reef, in the southern Great Barrier Reef, on 2 separate occasions. Both species of Haliclona occupy similar habitats on the reef slope and are often found living adjacent to each other, but the major groups of secondary metabolites and the gross external morphology in the 2 species of sponge are different. The 2 species of sponge supported significantly different endofaunal communities, with Haliclona sp. 2 supporting 3 to 4 times more individuals than Haliclona sp. 1. Fewer demersal zooplankton (copepods), nematodes and some peracarid crustaceans were found in Haliclona sp. 1 compared with Haliclona sp. 2. There were also differences in the numbers of spionid, nereidid and syllid polychaetes living in the 2 species of sponge. The only taxon that was more abundant in Haliclona sp. 1 than Haliclona sp. 2 was the spionid Polydorella prolifera, and this difference was only evident on 1 of the 2 occasions. The amount of free space (pores, channels, cavities) for a given weight of sponge was only 19% greater in Haliclona sp. 2 than in Haliclona sp. 1, suggesting other factors, such as the differences in the allelochemicals, may have a role in determining the numbers and types of animals living in these 2 species of sponge.

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Fauna Associated with the Sponges Aplysina archeri and Aplysina lacunosa in a Coral Reef of the Archipiélago de Los Roques, National Park, Venezuela

Cited by 38 publications

References 18 publications

The fauna associated with outer shelf and upper slope sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae) at the Faroe Islands, northeastern Atlantic

The fauna associated with outer shelf and upper slope sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae) at the Faroe Islands, northeastern Atlantic

Fauna associated with the horny spongeAnomoianthella lamellaPulitzer‐Finali & Pronzato, 1999 (Ianthellidae, Demospongiae) from Papua‐New Guinea

Living in a potentially toxic environment: comparisons of endofauna in two congeneric sponges from the Great Barrier Reef

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