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Mangrove and coral reef sponge faunas: untold stories about shallow water Porifera in the Caribbean

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Book cover Ancient Animals, New Challenges

Part of the book series: Developments in Hydrobiology ((DIHY,volume 219))

Abstract

Sponge faunas from coral reefs and mangrove ecosystems in the Caribbean have mostly been studied from an ecological perspective, with researchers considering the effects of physical and biological factors on their species distribution. To discern evolutionary patterns, this study analyzed the systematic composition, taxonomic diversity, and ecological properties (reproductive strategies, size, shape, endosymbiosis) of mangrove and reef sponge assemblages from seven distant Caribbean localities. Species composition was compared by use of cluster analysis (Sørensen’s), and taxonomic diversity by use of the biodiversity index average taxonomic distinctness (AvTD). Mangrove and reef-associated sponge faunas were found to be statistically dissimilar, with the AvTD values suggesting stronger taxonomic bias toward specific groups in mangroves, irrespective of geographic distance. Most Demospongiae orders have 30–50% more species in coral reefs than in mangroves. The richest reef genera (Agelas, Aplysina, Callyspongia, Petrosia, and Xestospongia) rarely colonize contiguous mangrove formations. The distribution and diversity of suprageneric taxa suggest that coral reef sponge assemblages might represent an older fauna. This historical interpretation would place mangrove subtidal habitats as the youngest marine ecosystem, rather than a below-optimum ecosystem. Life history traits support a biological split discussed here from the perspective of distinct evolutionary histories and different environmental conditions.

Guest editors: M. Maldonado, X. Turon, M. A. Becerro & M. J. Uriz / Ancient animals, new challenges: developments in sponge research

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Museo Marino de Margarita, Boca del Rio, Nueva Esparta, Venezuela

    M. Cristina Diaz

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  1. M. Cristina Diaz
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Correspondence to M. Cristina Diaz .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Marine Ecology, Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes CEAB-CSIC, Accés Cala St. Francesc 14, 17300, Blanes Gerona, Spain

    Manuel Maldonado

  2. Deparment of Aquatic Ecology, Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes, Access a la Cala S. Francesc 14, 17300, Blanes Gerona, Spain

    Xavier Turon , Mikel Becerro  & Maria Jesús Uriz ,  & 

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Diaz, M.C. (2011). Mangrove and coral reef sponge faunas: untold stories about shallow water Porifera in the Caribbean. In: Maldonado, M., Turon, X., Becerro, M., Jesús Uriz, M. (eds) Ancient Animals, New Challenges. Developments in Hydrobiology, vol 219. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4688-6_15

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