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Recurrent disease outbreaks in corneous demosponges of the genus Ircinia: epidemic incidence and defense mechanisms

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Abstract

During 2008 and 2009, an epidemic affected sponges of the genus Ircinia in the Western Mediterranean. Investigations at a site on the European coast (6º43′08.80′′N; 3º43′52.20′′W) and another on the African coast (35º10′51.00′′N; 2º25′33.00′′W) revealed healthier African populations. The disease started with small pustules on the sponge surface, which subsequently coalesced forming larger, extensive lesions. An ultrastructural study suggested that a twisted rod is the etiological agent. It infected the sponges from the outside, initially killing the cells below the ectosome and then penetrating deeper into the body. The sponges responded to the bacterial progression by secreting concentric barriers of collagen and concentrating phagocytic cells at the diseased zones. This primitive immune system successfully resisted the disease in many instances, although mortality reached 27% in the studied populations. Epidemic outbreaks recur each year in September through November, arguably favored by abnormally high seawater temperatures in August.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank J. Zapata, J. Díaz, I. Busturia, and C. González for help with field work, A. García for help with TEM sample processing, R. Bernardello for help in processing HDF temperature data, and A. de la Linde for help with maps. This study benefited from a BFU2008-00227/BMC grant by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Aquatic Ecology, Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Blanes (CSIC), Acceso Cala St. Francesc 14, Blanes, 17300, Girona, Spain

    Manuel Maldonado

  2. Faculty of Sciences, Department of Animal Biology, University of Granada, Campus Fuentenueva s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain

    Luis Sánchez-Tocino & Carlos Navarro

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  1. Manuel Maldonado
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  2. Luis Sánchez-Tocino
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  3. Carlos Navarro
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Correspondence to Manuel Maldonado.

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Communicated by J. P. Grassle.

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Maldonado, M., Sánchez-Tocino, L. & Navarro, C. Recurrent disease outbreaks in corneous demosponges of the genus Ircinia: epidemic incidence and defense mechanisms. Mar Biol 157, 1577–1590 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-010-1431-7

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