The freshwater sponges of Australia (Porifera: Spongillidae)

Abstract

Recent extensive collections of freshwater sponges in Australia are subjected to a detailed taxonomic study. Of the 24 species now recorded, five new species are fully described and figured, and the taxonomic criteria of three hitherto rather dubious spongillids redescribed and illustrated. Full keys to the gemmule-producing genera of Spongillidae, and to the Australian species, are included. The environment and zoogeographical distribution of Australian spongillids are discussed.

Environmental history of northwest Australia based on phytolith analysis at Carpenter's Gap 1

“…Diatoms are typically found in moist habitats such as streams, lakes and swamps, although they may also occur in moist soils and tufa formations (Round et al, 1990). Freshwater sponges require permanent bodies of standing water to survive (Racek, 1969). Examination of surface sediment samples from across the southwest Kimberley revealed that diatoms and sponge spicules were positively correlated with sediments closely associated with freshwater bodies such as rivers and billabongs (Wallis, unpub.…”

Biodiversity in South East Asia: an overview of freshwater sponges (Porifera: Demospongiae: Spongillina)

“…Indeed, exhaustive monographies are scarce and at present only a few biologists focus on this region (Bowerbank, 1863;Carter, 1881;Potts, 1887;Weber, 1890;Weltner, 1895Weltner, , 1913Annandale, 1909Annandale, , 1911Annandale, , 1918Arndt, 1926;Vorstman, 1927Vorstman, , 1928Gee, 1930Gee, , 1931Gee, , 1932aGee, , 1932bSchröder, 1935;Penney, 1960;Penney and Racek, 1968;Racek, 1969;Soota, 1991;Volkmer-Ribeiro and Costa, 1993;Banarescu, 1995;Manconi and Pronzato, 2002, 2008Masuda, 2004;Ohtaka et al, 2011).…”

Taxonomy of freshwater sponges of Maharashtra, India, with illustrated descriptions and notes on ecology and habitats (Porifera: Spongillida: Spongillidae)

“…Manconi & Pronzato (2002) have further redefined this genus. Stratospongilla is known from Africa, Asia and Australia (Penney & Racek 1968;Racek 1969;Manconi & Pronzato 2002). Bonetto & Ezcurra de Drago (1967;, as cited in Muricy et al 2011 and Ezcurra de Drago (1978) described a few species and also included some under Stratospongilla from the Neotropic, but all these have now been transferred to other genera in the family Potamolepidae Brien (Volkmer-Ribeiro 1970; Manconi & Pronzato 2002;Muricy et al 2011;Manconi et al 2012).…”

“…India, tropical SE Asia and Australia (Penney & Racek 1968;Racek 1969;Masuda 2004;Manconi et al 2013).…”