Effects of calcium and salinity on the growth rate of Ephydatia fluviatilis (Porifera: Spongillidae)

Abstract

The freshwater sponge, Ephydatiafluviatilis (Porifera: Spongillidae), was maintained in a continuous-Pow laboratory culture system under several conditions of calcium ion (Ca++) concentration and salinity. Experimental results suggest that sponge growth rate increases with increasing Ca+ + concentration, that sponge growth rate decreases with increasing salinity, and that the negative effect of higher salinity can be overcome by increasing Ca + + concentration. The experimental results correlate well with field observations on the effects of salinity and Ca + + on the distribution of E. fluviatilis.

Geographic and stratigraphic distribution of spongillids (Porifera) and the leit value of spiculites in the Messel Pit Fossil Site

“…In corrosion experiments, we were able to prove that spines are less densely distributed (and smaller) on the shafts of growing spicules than on fully grown spicules of the same species (Richter and Baszio 2001, p. 68). Additionally, the shape of megascleres from the same individual can strongly vary (Penney and Racec 1968), and the morphological Poirrier (1974Poirrier ( , 1976 and Francis et al (1985).…”

Rediscovery of Eunapius carteri (Bowerbank, 1863) in Western Europe

“…This geological substrate, mostly siliceous, does not contribute soluble materials (e.g., halite, gypsum) to the ionic composition of the water, with the exception of limestone, although it is restricted to small areas (Guisado Muñoz et al, 1988). However, it is worth noting that Ca2+ levels are considered an important factor for the presence and distribution of freshwater sponges in aquatic systems (Jewell, 1935(Jewell, , 1939, possibly as a result of the implications of calcium in the growth rate of sponges (Strekal and McDiffett 1974;Francis et al, 1982;Leys and Meech, 2006). The River Zújar and La Serena reservoir present moderately hard waters, with a relatively high concentration of Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ in relation to the remaining ions; the main input levels are due to the runoff in the winter season, while the alkalinity values favor their solubility.…”

Cultivation of Marine Sponges with Pharmaceutical Value: Status and Future Prospects in India

“…(Schiefenhovel and Kunzmann, 2012), Dysidea avara, Chondrosia reniformis (Nickel and Brummer, 2003;Osinga et al, 2010;Decaralt et al, 2010), Callyspongia subarmigera, Echninodictyum gorgonoides (Lipton and Shine, 2009), Negombata magnifica, Amphimedon chloros, Theonella swinhoei (Hadas et al, 2005;Bergman et al, 2011) Crambe crambe , deep water boreal sponge Geodia barretti (Hoffmann et al, 2003), mariculture of fishes(Sea bass) with sponge (Osinga et al, 2010), Ephydatia fluviatilis (Francis et al, 1990) (Xue and Zhang, 2009)and many other morphologically distinct sponge species. Since sponges are slow growing organisms, a culture period of minimum 1 or 2 years would be required to achieve commercial size.…”