IMIS - Marine Research Groups | Compendium Coast and Sea

IMIS - Marine Research Groups

[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Growth dynamics in four Mediterranean demosponges
Garrabou, J.; Zabala, M. (2001). Growth dynamics in four Mediterranean demosponges. Est., Coast. and Shelf Sci. 52(3): 293-303. https://dx.doi.org/10.1006/ecss.2000.0699
In: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. Academic Press: London; New York. ISSN 0272-7714; e-ISSN 1096-0015, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors | Dataset 

Keywords
    Demospongiae [WoRMS]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    Mediterranean; clonal organisms; demosponges; growth rate; shrinkage rate; life history

Authors  Top | Dataset 
  • Garrabou, J.
  • Zabala, M.

Abstract
    Growth dynamics of the demosponges Crambe crambe, Hemimycale columella, Oscarella lobularis and Chondrosia reniformis were studied in the north-western Mediterranean over a 2 year period. Independent growth and shrinkage rates were quantified for first time by a newly developed photographic and computer-assisted image analysis. Overall, our results indicated relatively slow growth dynamics with low growth and shrinkage rates. Interspecific comparison showed that C. crambe, H. columella and O. lobularis grew and shrank at significantly higher rates than C. reniformis (differences of over one order magnitude). Measured rates were, in general, similar to those previously reported for other species thriving in the Mediterranean, temperate and tropical habitats. Seasonal growth and shrinkage patterns were examined in C. crambe. This species showed significant differences in growth rates over time but not in shrinkage rates. Division and fusion events were observed in all species except in specimens of C. reniformis. Approximately 30% and between 14–30% of the specimens experienced division and fusion respectively. Data on growth, shrinkage, division and fusion rates were interpreted as evidence for distinct biological strategies used by these four species to persist and occupy substratum. Chondrosia reniformis had a conservative strategy, with slow growth but with greater resistance to damage.Crambe crambe seemed to enhance its rate of space occupation by a high division rate. Hemimycale columella grew quickly and shrank at low rates, thus spreading rapidly over the substratum. Finally, O. lobularis grew and shrank rapidly, showing great growth plasticity.

Dataset
  • Linares, Cristina; Figuerola, Laura; Gómez-Gras, Daniel; Pagès-Escolà, Marta; Olvera, Àngela, Aubach, Àlex; Amate, Roger; Figuerola, Blanca; Kersting, Diego; Ledoux, Jean-Baptiste; López-Sanz, Àngel; López-Sendino, Paula; Medrano, Alba; Garrabou, Joaquim; (2020); CorMedNet- Distribution and demographic data of habitat-forming invertebrate species from Mediterranean coralligenous assemblages between 1882 and 2019, more

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors | Dataset