Biodiversity of shallow-water sponges (Porifera) in Singapore and description of a new species of Forcepia (Poecilosclerida: Coelosphaeridae

Abstract

A surprisingly high number of shallow water sponge species (197) were recorded from extensive sampling of natural intertidal and subtidal habitats in Singapore (Southeast Asia) from May 2003 to June 2010. This is in spite of a highly modified coastline that encompasses one of the world’s largest container ports as well as extensive oil refining and bunkering industries. A total of 99 intertidal species was recorded in this study. Of these, 53 species were recorded exclusively from the intertidal zone and only 45 species were found on both intertidal and subtidal habitats, suggesting that tropical intertidal and subtidal sponge assemblages are different and distinct. Furthermore, only a third of the fouling species of sponges from a previous study was recorded in this study, thus suggesting that sponge assemblages from natural and fouling communities in the tropics are different as well. A new species, Forcepia (Forcepia) vansoesti is described from Singapore. Members of this genus possess unique spicules shaped in the form of a pair of forceps. The new species is distinguished from its congeners in having the largest forceps (nearly 300 μm in length) so far recorded in the Indo-Pacific.

Unravelling the moons: review of the genera Paratetilla and Cinachyrella in the Indo-Pacific (Demospongiae, Tetractinellida, Tetillidae)

“…Previous Indonesian records are from Spermonde Archipelago (Becking et al 2006), Berau (de Voogd et al 2009), and Raja Ampat (Becking 2008). In addition, this species has also been reported from Seychelles Islands (Thomas 1973), Southwest Madagascar (Vacelet et al 1976), Zanzibar (Pulitzer-Finali 1993), Thailand (Putchakarn 2007), Singapore (Lim et al 2008), Philippines (Longakit et al 2005) (Figure 2). …”

“…Previous Indonesian records are from Spermonde Archipelago in Sulawesi (de Voogd and Cleary 2005, Becking et al 2006, de Voogd et al 2006), North Sulawesi (Calcinai et al 2017), Berau (de Voogd et al 2009, Becking et al 2013), Thousand Islands in Java (de Voogd and Cleary 2008), and Raja Ampat (Becking 2008). In addition, this species has also been found in Gulf of Oman (van Soest and Beglinger 2008), Seychelles Islands (Thomas 1973) Southwest Madagascar (Vacelet et al 1976), Zanzibar (Pulitzer-Finali 1993), Thailand (Kritsanapuntu et al 2001a-b, Putchakarn 2007), Singapore (Lim et al 2008), Vietnam (Azzini et al 2007), Philippines (Longakit et al 2005), Northern Territory of Australia (McDonald et al 2002), and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia (Burton 1934). …”

“…Cinachyrellaaustraliensis has been recorded from a wide geographic area from the Gulf of Oman (van Soest and Beglinger 2008), Thailand (Kritsanapuntu et al 2001a-b, Putchakarn 2007), Vietnam (Azzini et al 2007), Singapore (Lim et al 2008), North Australia (McDonald et al 2002), the Great Barrier Reef in Australia (Burton 1934), Southeast Australia (Carter, 1886), and Indonesia (e.g. Becking et al 2006, de Voogd and Cleary 2008, de Voogd et al 2009, Becking et al 2013), inhabiting coastal mangroves, reefs, and marine lakes.…”

Enhancing the biodiversity of coastal defence structures: transplantation of nursery-reared reef biota onto intertidal seawalls

“…Emersion can cause increases in salinity and temperature within the interstitial spaces of the animal, as well as blockages to the aquiferous channels, thus impeding the re-establishment of water circulation (Rützler, 1995). While the sponges used in this study can be found in Singapore's intertidal zone (Lim et al, 2012) and are hence more resistant to emersion stress, results were wideranging. Transplants of Rhabdastrella globostellata succumbed to impacts from flotsam and wave action due to weak selfattachment and slow growth, making it unsuitable for transplantation in intertidal environments.…”

“…and five species of hard corals (Porites lobata, Pocillopora damicornis, Hydnophora rigida, Diploastrea heliopora, Goniastrea minuta). These species were selected for their abundance in Singapore's marine environment, ease of culture in mariculture tanks, as well as their ability to withstand short periods of emersion (Goh et al, 2009;Huang et al, 2009;Lim et al, 2012). This was to ensure that the organisms were native biota which could establish themselves securely on the lower intertidal region of the seawalls-a zone which was exposed for some two hours of spring low tides for up to three consecutive days each month.…”