Long-term experimental in situ farming of Crambe crambe (Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida).

ABSTRACT:

Background

The marine sponge Crambe crambe was chosen as an experimental model of sustainable shallow-water mariculture in the Sardinian Sea (Western Mediterranean) to provide biomass with high potential in applied research.

Methods

Explants were cultured in four long-term experiments (19 and 31 months at ca. 2.5 m depth), to determine the suitability of new culture techniques by testing substrata and seeding time (season), and monitoring survival and growth. Explants were excised and grown in an experimental plant close to the wild donor sponge population. Percentage growth rate (GR%) was measured in terms of surface cover area, and explant survival was monitored in situ by means of a digital photo camera.

Results

Explant survival was high throughout th

SUBMITTER: Padiglia A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6004114 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature