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Variability in reproductive output across a water quality gradient for a tropical marine sponge

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Abstract

To establish a complete understanding of reproductive variability, larval supply and ultimately population demographics of a species it is important to determine reproduction across a broad spectrum of environmental conditions. This study quantified sexual reproduction of the brooding, gonochoristic sponge Rhopaloeides odorabile from populations across the shelf reefs of the central Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Histological sections of reproductive sponges collected at increasing distances from the coast were used to determine if numbers of reproductive sponges, reproductive output (using a reproductive output index), size at sexual maturity, and sex ratios varied according to their location (distance) from the coastline and therefore from influences of terrigenous/riverine discharge. Significantly higher proportions of reproductive sponges occurred with increasing distance from the coast. The proportion of all reproductive sponges (both male and female) on offshore reefs ranged from 77 to 90%, during November and December, the peak reproductive months of this sponge, compared to 47 to 50% for sponges occurring on coastal reefs. Levels of female reproduction increased with increasing distance from the coastline on two levels. First, oocytes from offshore sponges were significantly larger than oocytes from coastal sponges. Second, sponges from offshore reefs showed a reproductive index (proportions of oocytes, embryos and larvae mm−2) approximately 15 times higher than coastal reef sponges. Therefore, both numbers of oocytes, embryos and larvae in conjunction with larger oocytes contribute to a higher reproductive output index for offshore sponges. The production of spermatic cysts in males was consistent across the GBR. Sex ratios for coastal reef sponges showed a male bias while offshore sponges showed approximate equal sex ratios. The effect of terrigenous riverine input from coastal fluvial plains to the inner GBR is well established and is likely to contribute to the lower levels of reproduction associated with female sponges inhabiting coastal reefs of the central GBR.

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Acknowledgments

This project was part of the sponge aquaculture programme of AIMS@JCU, which receives funding and in kind support from the Australian Institute of Marine Science, James Cook University Research Advancement Programme (Finfish and Emerging Aquaculture), Great Barrier Reef Research Foundation, Coolgaree Aboriginal Corporation, Queensland Department of State Development, Innovation and Trade, Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, and the Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services. Funding was also received from the Linnean Society of NSW. We thank D. Cocker, A. Lynch, M. Depczynski and W. Dunlap for assisting in sample collections and N. Paul for statistical advice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia

    S. Whalan & R. de Nys

  2. AIMS@JCU Tropical Aquaculture, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia

    S. Whalan, C. Battershill & R. de Nys

  3. Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB 3, Townsville, QLD, 4810, Australia

    C. Battershill

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  1. S. Whalan
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  2. C. Battershill
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  3. R. de Nys
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Correspondence to S. Whalan.

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Communicated by S.D. Connell.

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Whalan, S., Battershill, C. & de Nys, R. Variability in reproductive output across a water quality gradient for a tropical marine sponge. Mar Biol 153, 163–169 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-007-0792-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-007-0792-z

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