Exploitation of micro refuges and epibiosis: survival strategies of a calcareous sponge. (27th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ribeiro, Bárbara; Padua, André; Paiva, Paulo Cesar; Custódio, Márcio Reis; Klautau, Michelle
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Volume 98:Number 3(2018)
• Page Start: 495
• Page End: 503
• Publication Date: 2016-10-27
• Subjects: Clathrina aurea, -- Porifera, -- ecological interactions, -- Astrangia, -- Phyllangia, -- competition, -- South-western Atlantic; Biology -- Periodicals; Marine biology -- Periodicals; 578.77
• DOI: 10.1017/S002531541600151X
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-3154

Abstract

Abstract : Sponges interact in various ways with a wide variety of organisms in benthic communities and ecological interactions may influence the distribution, abundance and diversity of these organisms in different sites. Although several studies have already been developed for Demospongiae, knowledge of ecological interactions in the class Calcarea is lacking. Some calcareous sponges are considered weak competitors for space and to have developed strategies to survive in highly dynamic environments, such as exploitation of micro refuges and epibiosis. We aimed to investigate the influence of intra- and interspecific interactions in the abundance, growth and lifespan of the calcareous sponge Clathrina aurea in south-eastern Brazil. Two peaks of abundance and area coverage were observed during the studied year, probably associated with reproductive effort. We found no evidence of intra- or interspecific competition between the sponge and the benthic community. Clathrina aurea was found using parts of other organisms as substrate (epibiosis), such as algae, demosponges and corals. It was seen that the interaction of the sponge with coral polyps positively affects the lifespan of sponge individuals and the interstices of corals probably promote a micro refuge for C. aurea against competitors for space and predators.