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Growth and regeneration of the elephant ear sponge Ianthella basta (Porifera)

  • SPONGE RESEARCH DEVELOPMENTS
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Ancient Animals, New Challenges

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

Abstract

Sponges are an important component of the benthic community, especially on coral reefs, but demographic data such as growth, recruitment or mortality are notably limited. This study examined the growth of the elephant ear sponge Ianthella basta, the largest and in some areas one of the dominating sponge species on Guam and other pacific reefs. We measured growth rates of the natural population on Guam over the course of one year and identified intra-individual growth patterns. Initial sponge sizes ranged from 200 to 35,000 cm2. Specific growth rates ranged from 0.08 to 6.08 with a mean specific growth rate of 1.43 ± 1.29 (SD) year_1. Furthermore, specific growth decreased with sponge size. The age estimate for the largest sponge (1.7 m height × 9.5 m circumference) was ~8 years. Intra-individual growth was mostly apical. This study demonstrated high growth rates, which has notable implications for environmental assessments, management and potential biomedical applications.

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. Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl-von-Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Schleusenstr. 1, 26382, Wilhelmshaven, Germany

    Sven Rohde & Peter J. Schupp

  2. University of Guam Marine Laboratory, UOG Station, 96923, Mangilao, Guam, USA

    Peter J. Schupp

Authors
  1. Sven Rohde
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  2. Peter J. Schupp
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Correspondence to Sven Rohde .

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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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Rohde, S., Schupp, P.J. (2011). Growth and regeneration of the elephant ear sponge Ianthella basta (Porifera). 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_18

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