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Asexual reproduction in homoscleromorph sponges (Porifera; Homoscleromorpha)

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Abstract

Asexual reproduction by external budding in Homoscleromorpha is reported for the first time. Two Mediterranean sponge species were studied, Oscarella lobularis and O. tuberculata. Buds are formed in the marginal basal part of sponge. Budding takes from 1 to 4 days and is defined in three budding stages. First, small irregular protuberances, consisting of external parental tissue, are formed. Second, they elongate and acquire more regular, nipple-like shape. These protuberances are tube like, their internal cavity derived from parental exhalant canal. The wall consists of three layers: (a) external layer is flagellated exopinacoderm, (b) internal one is flagellated endopinacoderm and (c) intermediate one is a thin layer of mesohyl. Third, a spherical bud with a large central cavity is formed. During budding, we did not observe cell proliferation or transdifferentiation either in budding zone or in any special mitotically active region. The bud attached to the substrate is similar to the rhagon developing after larva metamorphosis, it has a syconoid organization. Morphogenetically, budding in Oscarella differes from that in other sponges. Occurring by epithelial morphogenesis, it is similar to morphallaxis during regeneration. The presence in Homoscleromorpha of an epithelial morphogenesis is unique among sponges. This feature is shared by Homoscleromorpha and Eumetazoa.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Nicole Boury-Esnault and Jean Vacelet for helpful discussions Thierry Perez, Christian Marschal and Roland Graille for diving assistance (Centre d’Océanologie de Marseille, France). This work was funded by the programme RFBR N 06-04-48660 and Alexander Ereskovsky has received a special grant from the French “Ministère de l’Education nationale et de la Recherche” and a position of Invited Professor from the “Université de la Méditerranée”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Embryology, Faculty of Biology and Soils, Saint-Petersburg State University, Universitetskaja nab. 7/9, 199034, St. Petersburg, Russia

    Alexander V. Ereskovsky

  2. Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Universitetskaja nab. 1, 199034, St. Petersburg, Russia

    Daria B. Tokina

  3. Centre d’Océanologie de Marseille, Station marine d’Endoume, Université de la Méditerranée, UMR-CNRS 6540, rue de la Batterie des Lions, 13007, Marseille, France

    Alexander V. Ereskovsky

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  1. Alexander V. Ereskovsky
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  2. Daria B. Tokina
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Correspondence to Alexander V. Ereskovsky.

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Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe.

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Ereskovsky, A.V., Tokina, D.B. Asexual reproduction in homoscleromorph sponges (Porifera; Homoscleromorpha). Mar Biol 151, 425–434 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-006-0439-5

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