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Growth and regeneration of the elephant ear sponge Ianthella basta (Porifera)

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Abstract

Sponges are an important component of the benthic community, especially on coral reefs, but demographic data such as growth, recruitment or mortality are notably limited. This study examined the growth of the elephant ear sponge Ianthella basta, the largest and in some areas one of the dominating sponge species on Guam and other pacific reefs. We measured growth rates of the natural population on Guam over the course of one year and identified intra-individual growth patterns. Initial sponge sizes ranged from 200 to 35,000 cm2. Specific growth rates ranged from 0.08 to 6.08 with a mean specific growth rate of 1.43 ± 1.29 (SD) year−1. Furthermore, specific growth decreased with sponge size. The age estimate for the largest sponge (1.7 m height × 9.5 m circumference) was ~8 years. Intra-individual growth was mostly apical. This study demonstrated high growth rates, which has notable implications for environmental assessments, management and potential biomedical applications.

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Acknowledgments

We like to thank Gitta Rohde, Ciemon F. V. Caballes and the UOG Marine Lab Techs for assistance in the field. This research was in part supported by NIH MBRS SCORE grant S06-GM-44796 to PJS. Comments of two anonymous reviewers improved the manuscript. SR was supported by a fellowship within the Postdoc-Program of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

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  1. Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl-von-Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Schleusenstr. 1, 26382, Wilhelmshaven, Germany

    Sven Rohde & Peter J. Schupp

  2. University of Guam Marine Laboratory, UOG Station, Mangilao, Guam, 96923, USA

    Peter J. Schupp

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  1. Sven Rohde
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  2. Peter J. Schupp
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Correspondence to Sven Rohde.

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Guest editors: M. Maldonado, X. Turon, M. A. Becerro & M. J. Uriz / Ancient animals, new challenges: developments in sponge research

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Rohde, S., Schupp, P.J. Growth and regeneration of the elephant ear sponge Ianthella basta (Porifera). Hydrobiologia 687, 219–226 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-011-0774-5

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