The siliceous skeletons of six hexactinellids and demosponges were compared using a series of physical and chemical tests. The sponges were two hermit-crab sponges (Class Demospongiae, family Suberitidae), one from Scotland, Suberites domuncula, and the other, Pseudospongosorites suberitoides, from the Gulf of Mexico, and four hexactinellids, Hyalonema sp., Euplectella aspergillum, Rhabdocalyptus dawsoni, and Aphrocallistes vastus. The operating hypothesis was that differences in the amorphous hydrated silica skeletons in Demosponges and Hexactinellids might prove taxonomically useful. Physical properties studied included SEM, glass density, glass transition temperature (Tg), TG/DTA to determine water content, and FTIR spectra. Chemical determinations were made using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF). Spicular skeletal material is deposited in concentric layers around the axial canal. With the exception of differences at several bands in the IR spectra, the siliceous skeletons in demosponges and hexactinellids are largely indistinguishable. Density was similar in all sponges (range 2.03-2.13 g/cc) and similar to the density of opal (SiO2 x 1.5H2O) (mean = 2.09 g/cc). IR spectra were similar, with prominent absorption bands at 460-470, 800, and 1,090-1,100 cm(-1) (due to different vibrational modes of Si-O-Si linkages) and at 1,650 and 3,450-3,560 cm(-1) (due to water). The skeletons of all six showed similar spectra to that of silica gel both before and after heating to 1,200 degrees C. Water comprised 10-14% of the skeleton by weight, slightly higher in the demosponges. Average spicule chemical composition was 85.2% SiO2, 12.3% water, and 2.5% other elements (mainly S, Al, K, Ca, and Na). The percent amounts of Si did not differ significantly between the demosponges and the hexactinellids.

Marine sponges are frequently inhabited by a wide range of associated invertebrates, including caridean shrimps. Symbiotic shrimps are often considered to be commensals; however, in most cases, the relationship with sponge hosts remains unclear. Here we demonstrate that sponge-inhabiting shrimps are often parasites adapted to consumption of sponge tissues. First, we provide detailed examination of morphology and stomach contents of Typton carneus (Decapoda: Palaemonidae: Pontoniinae), a West Atlantic tropical shrimp living in fire sponges of the genus Tedania. Remarkable shear-like claws of T. carneus show evidence of intensive shearing, likely the result of crushing siliceous sponge spicules. Examination of stomach contents revealed that the host sponge tissue is a major source of food for T. carneus. A parasitic mode of life is also reflected in adaptations of mouth appendages, in the reproduction strategy, and in apparent sequestration of host pigments by shrimp. Consistent results were obtained also for congeneric species T. distinctus (Western Atlantic) and T. spongicola (Mediterranean). The distribution of shrimps among sponge hosts (mostly solitary individuals or heterosexual pairs) suggests that Typton shrimps actively prevent colonisation of their sponge by additional conspecifics, thus protecting their resource and reducing the damage to the hosts. We also demonstrate feeding on host tissues by sponge-associated shrimps of the genera Onycocaris, Periclimenaeus, and Thaumastocaris (Pontoniinae) and Synalpheus (Alpheidae). The parasitic mode of life appears to be widely distributed among sponge-inhabiting shrimps. However, it is possible that under some circumstances, the shrimps provide a service to the host sponge by preventing a penetration by potentially more damaging associated animals. The overall nature of interspecific shrimp-sponge relationships thus warrants further investigation.

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