Macrofauna inhabiting the spongeParaleucilla magna(Porifera: Calcarea) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

Sponges (phylum Porifera) are important components of the benthic marine fauna known for their interactions with vertebrates and a large number of invertebrates seeking for food, shelter or substrate for attachment. Studies on this subject, however, were restricted only to the macrofauna inhabiting sponges of the class Demospongiae. In the present work, we describe the macrofauna associated with a calcareous sponge in Brazil, Paraleucilla magna. Individuals of this allegedly non-native species were monthly collected during one year in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Fifty-one taxa representing ten animal phyla were found associated with P. magna. The most frequent and abundant taxa were Crustacea, Mollusca, Polychaeta and Bryozoa, while echinoderms, cnidarians, ascidians, nemerteans, platyhelminthes and sponges were less frequent or even rare and less abundant. Juveniles of several taxa and pregnant females of Crustacea were found associated with P. magna, but these associations were not exclusive. The macrofauna associated with P. magna did not present a clear seasonality, although it was possible to observe a change in the community composition alongside the year. The volume of the sponges was significantly related to the diversity index (H′) and number of taxa, but not with evenness (J′) and number of individuals. Our results show that P. magna is used as a substrate for attachment and/or shelter by its associates and that most of these associations are just opportunistic. The data presented here reiterate a previous proposal that sponges are important biodiversity reservoirs and that they should be seriously considered in conservation programmes.

Environmental effects on the reproduction and fecundity of the introduced calcareous sponge Paraleucilla magna in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

“…Paraleucilla magna is a species with a strong invasive potential, considering its reproductive effort and continuous reproduction, and apparently requires a much higher reproductive effort to colonize higher than lower latitudes (Longo et al 2012). Fast growth (Cavalcanti et al 2013), a young reproductive age (Lanna et al 2007), high recruitment rates (Padua et al 2013b) and high fecundity (Longo et al 2012;present study), stimulated by higher temperatures, may be key factors contributing to the growth of P. magna populations and its invasion of new areas. Our findings highlight the complex interactions between the environment and this sponge that must be taken into account to understand and monitor the spreading of this species in new areas.…”

Sponges as “living hotels” in Mediterranean marine caves

“…Koukouras et al 1985, Ribeiro et al 2003, Padua et al 2013). This ecological role of sponges has gained increasing research interest over the last few decades for both scientific and conservation purposes.…”

Temporal variation of epi- and endofaunal assemblages associated with the red sponge Tedania ignis on a rocky shore (São Sebastião Channel), SE Brazil

“…This relationship is commonly found in associations between sponges and their associated macrofauna (Koukouras et al, 1985;Ribeiro et al, 2003;Padua et al, 2013;Ávila & Ortega-Bastida, 2014), and this pattern can be related to limited spatial resources on primary substrates, mainly for endofaunal assemblages. These studies found a positive relationship between macrofaunal diversity and sponge biomass or volume when comparing these effects within sponge species.…”