Exploitation of micro refuges and epibiosis: survival strategies of a calcareous sponge

Autor(es)

Ribeiro, Barbara ^[1] ; Padua, Andre ^[1] ; Paiva, Paulo Cesar ^[1] ; Custodio, Marcio Reis ^[2] ; Klautau, Michelle ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Biol, Dept Zool, Ave Carlos Chagas Filho 373, BR-21941902 Rio De Janeiro, RJ - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biociencias, Dept Fisiol, Rua Matao, Travessa 14, 321, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom; v. 98, n. 3, p. 495-503, MAY 2018.
• Citações Web of Science: 3

Resumo

Sponges interact in various ways with a wide variety of organisms in benthic communities and ecological interactions may influence the distribution, abundance and diversity of these organisms in different sites. Although several studies have already been developed for Demospongiae, knowledge of ecological interactions in the class Calcarea is lacking. Some calcareous sponges are considered weak competitors for space and to have developed strategies to survive in highly dynamic environments, such as exploitation of micro refuges and epibiosis. We aimed to investigate the influence of intra-and interspecific interactions in the abundance, growth and lifespan of the calcareous sponge Clathrina aurea in south-eastern Brazil. Two peaks of abundance and area coverage were observed during the studied year, probably associated with reproductive effort. We found no evidence of intra-or interspecific competition between the sponge and the benthic community. Clathrina aurea was found using parts of other organisms as substrate (epibiosis), such as algae, demosponges and corals. It was seen that the interaction of the sponge with coral polyps positively affects the lifespan of sponge individuals and the interstices of corals probably promote a micro refuge for C. aurea against competitors for space and predators. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 13/04084-4 - Alorreconhecimento e formação de quimeras em esponjas calcareas (Porifera, Calcarea)
• Beneficiário: Márcio Reis Custódio
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular