Patterns of sponge biodiversity and abundance across different biogeographic regions

Bell, James J.; Carballo, José Luís

doi:10.1007/s00227-008-1036-6

Cited by 23 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…52 ind m -2 ) and richness (max. 6.1 species m -2 ) of sponges were comparable with those reported in rocky habitats (17.5 ind m -2 and 4.3 species m -2 , Bell and Carballo 2008;Carballo et al 2008) and Sargassum beds (23.9 ind m -2 and 4.8 species m -2 , Á vila et al 2010) of the region.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Sponge–rhodolith interactions in a subtropical estuarine system

2012

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The interactions between sponges and red macroalgae have been widely documented in tropical and subtropical environments worldwide, and many of them have been documented as mutualistic associations. Sponges, however, have also been frequently described as part of the associated fauna of rhodolith habitats (aggregations of freeliving non-geniculated coralline macroalgae). Nonetheless, the types of interaction they establish as well as the role of sponges in these habitats remain unknown. In this study, the associations between sponges and rhodoliths were investigated in an estuarine ecosystem of the Mexican Pacific based on qualitative and quantitative data. A total of 13 sponge species were identified in five newly discovered rhodolith beds dominated by the non-geniculate coralline macroalga Lithophyllum margaritae. The sponge assemblages were strongly restricted to rhodolith habitats. The best predictor of sponge abundance (from 5.1 to 51.7 ind m -2 ) and species richness (from 2.6 to 6.1 sponge species m -2 ) was the rhodolith density rather than other population descriptors assessed (e.g., average size, branch density and sphericity). The identified sponges included a variety of forms: massive (46 %), encrusting (23 %), excavating (15 %), cushionshape (8 %) and digitate (8 %). Moreover, more than 50 % of sponge species recorded (mainly massive and encrusting forms) were frequently found overgrowing and binding rhodoliths. Halichondria cf. semitubulosa and Mycale cecilia were the most common binding agents; these species bind an average of 3.1 and 6.6 rhodoliths per sponge individual, respectively. These findings reveal the importance of rhodoliths as habitat forming species, since these seaweed beds notably increased the substrate complexity in soft bottom environments. In addition, the relatively high abundance of sponges and their capability to bind rhodoliths suggest that these associated organisms could have an important contribution to rhodolith bed stability.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Sponge–rhodolith interactions in a subtropical estuarine system

2012

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“…However, the values given by these authors correspond to a very specific habitat, the upper surface of the rocks, and it is known that in this same locality that lower boulder surfaces (4.3 species m 22 ; Bell & Carballo, 2008) and vertical walls usually have higher sponge species richness (Padilla-Verdín, 2007). These differences in species richness can probably be attributed to the presence of Sargassum structures, which offer high habitat diversity as well as an increase in available surface area for epibiont settlement.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Sponges associated withSargassumspp. (Phaeophyceae: Fucales) from the south-western Gulf of California

Ávila¹,

Blancas-Gallangos²,

Riosmena‐Rodríguez³

et al. 2009

J. Mar. Biol. Ass.

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This study constitutes a preliminary assessment of the abundance and species richness of sponges living on the brown seaweed Sargassum spp. from the southern Gulf of California (Mexico). The diversity and abundance of sponges associated with Sargassum was investigated from November 2006 to November 2007. In addition, it was examined whether temporal variations in the abundance of associations were influenced by changes in size and density of Sargassum as well as environmental factors such as water temperature and salinity. Twelve sponge species (4 Haplosclerida, 3 Poecilosclerida, 4 Dictyoceratida and 1 Clathrinida) were found growing epiphytically on the lower portions of Sargassum plants and the most frequent species were Callyspongia californica and Haliclona turquoisia (38% and 27%, respectively). The abundance of associations showed significant temporal and spatial variations, being higher from June to November (post Sargassum growth period), at depths from 0.5 -2.5 m. The number of sponge species m 22 (both epiphytic and non-epiphytic) inside the seaweed bed was 4.8 species m 22 , while outside it, the absence of hard substrate for attachment severely restricted the number of sponges. These results suggest that Sargassum provide substratum and habitat for the sponge community from this region, and that their seasonal growth patterns may influence the abundance and diversity of the associations.

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“…Importantly, not all studies of the IDH have reported such relationships (e.g. Bell & Carballo 2008). Disturbance may prevent space monopolisation by competitively dominant species, which has predominately been considered to be the result of multiple physical processes (e.g.…”

Section: Abstract: Sponge · Biological Disturbance · Temporal Variabmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…More recently, several authors have described how entire sponge assemblages can be variable over seasonal and annual scales (Bell et al 2006, Wulff 2006b, Carballo et al 2008 and that many sponge assemblages may be more dynamic than previously thought. There are in fact a number of other single and multi-species studies that have demonstrated seasonal growth and regression patterns (e.g.…”

Section: Temporal Sponge Variability and Sponges As Agents Of Disturbmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sponges as agents of biological disturbance

Bell

2008

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Patterns of sponge biodiversity and abundance across different biogeographic regions

Cited by 23 publications

References 43 publications

Sponge–rhodolith interactions in a subtropical estuarine system

Sponge–rhodolith interactions in a subtropical estuarine system

Sponges associated withSargassumspp. (Phaeophyceae: Fucales) from the south-western Gulf of California

Sponges as agents of biological disturbance

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