Macro-benthic invertebrates associated with the black sponge Sarcotragus foetidus (Porifera) in the Levantine and Aegean Seas, with special emphasis on alien species

Çınar, Melih Ertan; Bakır, Kerem; Doğan, Alper; Açık, Şermin; Kurt, Güley; Katağan, Tuncer; Öztürk, Bılal; Dağlı, Ertan; Özcan, Tahır; Kirkim, Fevzi̇

doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2019.106306

Cited by 11 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…The dominance of Polychaeta in terms of number of taxa is in accordance with other studies (Klitgaard, 1995;Gerovasileiou et al, 2016;Çinar et al, 2019). The numeric dominance of Ophiuroidea in the sponges, however, is uncharacteristic, since in the majority of previous studies, the most important group in terms of abundance, was Crustacea (Koukouras et al, 1996;Gerovasileiou et al, 2016).…”

Section: Endobiont Community Compositionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…In the shallow water C. costae is replaced by L. indicus as the dominant species. Leonnates indicus is another nonindigenous species and a Lessepsian, migrant previously reported from Levantine Sea sponges (Ilan et al, 1994;Çinar et al, 2019). Its dominance in the shallow water suggests that it may competitively exclude C. costae.…”

Section: Endobiont Community Compositionmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…Both S. binghami, and H. arctica are outwardly similar, and can be easily misidentified. The latter is often reported from sponges in the Levant (Pavloudi et al, 2016;Çinar et al, 2019). Other molluscs found in the sponges included bivalves such as Saccella commutata and Gregariella petagnae, which have never previously been recorded from sponges, and gastropods (Muricopsis cristata, Mitrella coccinea, Emarginula adriatica, and Monophorus perversus).…”

Section: Endobiont Community Compositionmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…Its dominance in the shallow water suggests that it may competitively exclude C. costae. The lower numbers of L. indicus in the MSG might reflect this tropical and sub-tropical species preference to shallow (usually warmer) habitats (Ben-Eliahu, 1991;Qiu and Qian, 2000;Çinar, 2009;Çinar et al, 2019).…”

Section: Endobiont Community Compositionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous studies of sponge-associated fauna have been carried out from the tropics to the poles (Pearse, 1950;Frith, 1976;Peattie and Hoare, 1981;Klitgaard, 1995;Magnino et al, 1999;Abdo, 2007;Schejter et al, 2012;Beepat et al, 2014;Kersken et al, 2014). Although, the sponge-associated fauna of the Mediterranean Sea is considered well-studied (e.g., Rützler, 1976;Koukouras et al, 1985Koukouras et al, , 1992Koukouras et al, , 1996Voultsiadou-Koukoura et al, 1987;Çinar et al, 2002;Gerovasileiou et al, 2016), in the Levantine Sea (Eastern Mediterranean), however, there are only a handful of studies focusing on sponges and their endobiotic community compositions (e.g., Pavloudi et al, 2016;Çinar et al, 2019;Papatheodoulou et al, 2019). Moreover, only one of those studies investigated sponge-associated fauna in the Israeli Mediterranean at a depth of 830 m (Ilan et al, 1994), and examined only three different sponge species (two massive sponges -Sarcotragus foetidus, Ircinia retidermata and a thickly branched sponge -Bubaris sarayi), one specimen of each.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Macrofauna Inhabiting Massive Demosponges From Shallow and Mesophotic Habitats Along the Israeli Mediterranean Coast

et al. 2021

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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.

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