Effects of Excavating-Sponge Removal on Coral Growth

Authors

Ari Halperin, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Andia Chaves Fonnegra, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
David S. Gilliam, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2016

Publication Title

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

Keywords

Cliona, Excavating sponge, Sponge-Coral Interaction, Bioerosion, Restoration, Sponge removal

ISSN

0025-3154

Volume

96

Issue/No.

2

First Page

473

Last Page

479

Abstract

Some excavating sponges are strong competitors for space on coral reefs, able to kill live coral tissue and to overgrow entire coral colonies. Stony corals with excavating sponges can die or become dislodged. To date no restoration efforts to eliminate excavating sponges from live corals have been considered. In this study we examined the effect and remedial potential of removal of the excavating sponge, Cliona delitrix, by monitoring tissue loss of the stony coral Montastrea cavernosa. Thirty-three corals colonized by the sponge were used: 11 as controls, and 22 as treatments in which sponges were removed using hammer and chisel. After sponge removal, resultant cavities in the coral skeletons were filled with common cement or epoxy. Standardized photos of each coral were taken immediately after sponge removal, and at 6 and 12 months afterwards. Results were similar between fill materials and showed a reduction in coral tissue loss in colonies where the sponge was removed. This study demonstrates that eliminating the bioeroding sponge enables potential recovery in affected stony corals after a year. However, 36% of experimental corals showed renewed presence of C. delitrix on the colony surface within a year after removal, demonstrating the extraordinary ability of this sponge to colonize corals. Although the technique used in this study is applicable to enhance modern coral restoration practices by slowing tissue loss, this method is costly, elaborate, and not suitable at a reef-wide scale. Further restoration alternatives and long-term measures to prevent over-colonization of corals by excavating sponges are encouraged.

Comments

©Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2015

NSUWorks Citation

Ari Halperin, Andia Chaves Fonnegra, and David S. Gilliam. 2016. Effects of Excavating-Sponge Removal on Coral Growth .Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , (2) : 473 -479. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/occ_facarticles/662.

DOI

10.1017/S0025315415001228