The dynamics of a Mediterranean coralligenous sponge assemblage at decennial and millennial temporal scales.

ABSTRACT: This paper concerns the changes occurred over both decennial and millennial spans of time in a sponge assemblage present in coralligenous biogenic build-ups growing at 15 m depth in the Ligurian Sea (Western Mediterranean). The comparison of the sponge diversity after a time interval of about 40 years (1973-2014) showed a significant reduction in species richness (about 45%). This decrease affected mainly the massive/erect sponges, and in particular the subclass Keratosa, with a species loss of 67%, while the encrusting and cavity dwelling sponges lost the 36% and 50%, respectively. The boring sponges lost only one species (25%). This changing pattern suggested that the inner habitat of the bioconstructions was less affected by the variations of the environmental conditions or by the human

SUBMITTER: Bertolino M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5439943 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature