Larval behaviours and their contribution to the distribution of the intertidal coral reef sponge Carteriospongia foliascens.

ABSTRACT: Sponges (Phylum Porifera) are an evolutionary and ecologically significant group; however information on processes influencing sponge population distributions is surprisingly limited. Carteriospongia foliascens is a common Indo-Pacific sponge, which has been reported from the intertidal to the mesophotic. Interestingly, the distribution of C. foliascens at inshore reefs of the Great Barrier Reef is restricted to the intertidal with no individuals evident in adjacent subtidal habitats. The abundance of C. foliascens and substrate availability was first quantified to investigate the influence of substrate limitation on adult distribution. Pre-settlement processes of larval spawning, swimming speeds, phototaxis, vertical migration, and settlement to intertidal and subtidal substrate cues were

SUBMITTER: Abdul Wahab MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4031186 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature