Demosponge diversity from North Sulawesi, with the description of six new species

Preliminary study of marine sponges (Porifera) in the littoral of Spermonde Archipelago, Indonesia

Previous ecological studies show higher sponge diversity in the Spermonde Archipelago, SW Sulawesi, Indonesia, compared to the World Porifera Database. This study aims to provide an updated checklist of sponges of the Spermonde Archipelago, focusing particularly on the littoral area. Systematic sampling was executed through several observations, with roving techniques, e.g., snorkeling and SCUBA diving. In situ photographs of living sponges were taken using an underwater digital camera. Some specimens were collected and stored at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden. Fragments of samples were analyzed using light and scanning electron microscopy. A total of 27 sponges (Calcarea and Demospongiae) were catalogued from the littoral area of the Spermonde Archipelago. Some of these are new records for the Sulawesi Sea/Makassar Strait marine ecoregion, including four potentially novel taxa. Preliminary morphological descriptions of all examined samples are presented. This study highlights the sponge assemblage flourishing in a shallow area characterized by a paucity of live corals and a predominant environment by macroalgae, rocks, and rubble.

Correcting sponge names: nomenclatural update of lower taxa level Porifera

The online World Porifera Database (WPD), the Porifera part of the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), lists virtually all published scientific names of sponges. The names of the WPD (as indeed all names in WoRMS) are guided by the Code of the International Comnission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). The WPD names include all currently accepted as well as original combinations, and a majority of non-accepted non-original combinations. Currently, among the accepted names about 200 original lower taxa combinations were found to be accepted by default, usually varieties or formae, which were given that status in the WPD because there was no sufficient published information to support arguments for or against the accepted status. After 1961, varieties and formae are considered infrasubspecific taxa whose names are not regulated by the Code and the names are unavailable, but prior to that date these trinominal taxa are potential available names. It is the purpose of the present study to evaluate these original default accepted combinations and arrive at an argumented judgement on whether they are to be truly accepted or non-accepted. Furthermore, additional lower taxa name violations of the Code are also included. Overall, there are three categories of names of lower taxa treated here, (1) with combinations, which are judged to be accepted with elevated status as (sub)specific taxa, (2) with combinations judged to be junior synonyms, and (3) with combinations, which are violating articles of the Code. Among the last category there are a small number of varietal taxa described after the 1960 cut-off date, which are unavailable but are proposed to have the original name combination retained, but as new names with authorship and year changed to those of the present article. Also, names found to be unavailable for various reasons (four-name combinations, junior homonyms, phylocode names) are in this category. The following 31 new names are proposed (three of which are junior synonyms of senior accepted names, and an additional three are unavailable names made available by employing the same name combination with the present authorship and year): Aaptos hoshinoi nom.nov., Ancorina nanosclera nom.nov., Axinella kurushima nom.nov., Callyspongia (Cladochalina) desqueyrouxfaundezae nom.nov., Cliona carpenteri subsp. hentscheli nom.nov., Callyspongia (Toxochalina) gustavoi nom.nov., Craniella microspira nom.nov., Dictyaulus romani nom.nov., Grantia breitfussi nom.nov., Haliclona alba subsp. albapontica nom.nov., Haliclona aquaeductus subsp. sebastopolensis nom.nov., Haliclona inflata subsp. vladimiri nom.nov., Haliclona informis subsp. voldomaroi nom.nov., Haliclona palmata subsp. pontuseuxiniensis nom.nov., Haliclona (Gellius) arthuri nom.nov., Haliclona (Gellius) godthaabae nom.nov., Haliclona merguiensis nom.nov., Haliclona senjitanitai nom.nov., Iophon hentscheli nom.nov., Leucandra wilsoni nom.nov., Paraleucilla bassensis nom.nov. (= P. saccharata), Pione carpenteri subsp. hentscheli nom.nov., Psammocinia samaaii nom.nov., Protoschmidtia czerniavskyi nom.nov. (= Metschnikowia tuberculata), Reiswiginella nom.nov., Scalarispongia lamarcki nom.nov., Spheciospongia hentscheli nom.nov., Spongia (Spongia) vonlendenfeldi nom.nov. (= S. (S.) lignosa), Suberites austral nom.nov., Suberites dendyi nom.nov., Suberites simae nom.nov., and Timea levii nom.nov.

Evaluating the secondary bioactive metabolites in Geodia corticostylifera

Abstract Ophiactis savignyi could be discovered all over the world in tropical marine environments. People could have aided in the spread of O. savignyi, particularly in the western and eastern populations of Panama's Isthmus. The brittle star Ophiactis savignyi, often known as savigny's brittle star, coexists alongside the sponge Geodia corticostylifera. The focus of this research has been to assess the functional relevance of G. corticostylifera secondary metabolites as antifoulant against mussels, protection against generalist fish, and chemical cues to affiliated brittle stars. Both in flow-through and static seawater laboratory studies, O. savignyi which has previously been connected with sponges, was given both treated and control mimics at the same time. The sponge extract was also tested for its ability to protect fish against predators and fouling. Deterrence test using chemicals indicated that the normal level of the sponge extract may also suppress generalist fish predation in the field as well as the mussel Perna perna’s normal attachment in clinical contexts. According to the findings, G. corticostylifera crude extract has many roles in the aquatic environments, apparently being accountable for this sponge's tighter relationship with O. savignyi, which protects the ophiuroid and inhibits epibionts on itself.

Two centuries of sponges (phylum Porifera) taxonomic studies in Indonesia (1820-2021): checklist and bibliography

Sponges in Indonesia have been studied since the 19th century during several historical expeditions and international collaborations. Hundreds of new species were reported from various locations, e.g., Ambon, Ternate, Sulawesi, Aru, and Kei Islands. This study aimed to create a sponge (Porifera: Calcarea, Demospongiae, Hexactinellida, and Homoscleromorpha) species checklist from Indonesia based on World Porifera Database. With a total of 731 species, our checklist comprises approximately 45 species of Calcarea, 566 species of Demospongiae, 115 species of Hexactinellida, and five species of Homoscleromorpha. The number of species are recorded from 12 marine ecoregions across the Indonesian Archipelago and freshwater habitats (Spongillida) between 1820-2021. The species composition indicates higher regional endemism or poorly studied since no other report after the original description. However, several marine ecoregions of Indonesia remain highly overlooked (e.g., Northeast Sulawesi, Papua, Southern Java, Western Sumatra), including freshwater habitats. Therefore, a taxonomic biodiversity baseline study, particularly on Porifera, is necessary to better understand the aquatic and marine biodiversity in the Indonesia Archipelago.

Bioconcentration and cellular effects of emerging contaminants in sponges from Maldivian coral reefs: A managing tool for sustainable tourism

Tourism is the main income source for the Maldives, but concurrently, it represents a growing threat to its marine ecosystem. Here, we monitored the bioaccumulation of 15 emerging contaminants (ECs) in the Maldivian reef sponges Spheciospongia vagabunda collected in two resort islands (Athuruga and Thudufushi, Ari Atoll) and an inhabited island (Magoodhoo, Faafu Atoll), and we analysed their impact on different sponge cellular stress biomarkers. Caffeine and the insect repellent DEET were detected in sponges of all the islands, whereas the antibiotic erythromycin and the UV filter 4-methylbenzylidene camphor were found in resort islands only. Although concentrations were approximately a few ng/g d.w., we quantified various induced cellular effects, in particular an increase of the levels of the enzyme glutathione S-transferase involved in cell detoxification. Our results highlight the importance to increase awareness on ECs pollution, promoting the use of more environmental friendly products to achieving the sustainable development goals.

Amphiphilic Polyamine α-Synuclein Aggregation Inhibitors from the Sponge Aaptos lobata

Bioassay-guided investigation of the sponge Aaptos lobata resulted in the isolation and identification of two new amphiphilic polyamines, aaptolobamines A (1) and B (2). Their structures were determined through analysis of NMR and MS data. MS analysis also indicated that A. lobata contained a complex mixture of aaptolobamine homologues. Both aaptolobamines A (1) and B (2) show broad bioactivity, including cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines, moderate antimicrobial activity against a methicillin-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus, and weak activity against a Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain. The mixtures of aaptolobamine homologues were shown to contain compounds that bind to the Parkinson's disease associated amyloid protein α-synuclein and inhibit its aggregation.

Sponges as bioindicators for microparticulate pollutants?

Amongst other threats, the world's oceans are faced with man-made pollution, including an increasing number of microparticulate pollutants. Sponges, aquatic filter-feeding animals, are able to incorporate fine foreign particles, and thus may be a potential bioindicator for microparticulate pollutants. To address this question, 15 coral reef demosponges sampled around Bangka Island (North Sulawesi, Indonesia) were analyzed for the nature of their foreign particle content using traditional histological methods, advanced light microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Sampled sponges accumulated and embedded the very fine sediment fraction (<200 μm), absent in the surrounding sand, in the ectosome (outer epithelia) and spongin fibers (skeletal elements), which was confirmed by two-photon microscopy. A total of 34 different particle types were identified, of which degraded man-made products, i.e., polystyrene, particulate cotton, titanium dioxide and blue-pigmented particles, were incorporated by eight specimens at concentrations between 91 and 612 particle/g dry sponge tissue. As sponges can weigh several hundreds of grams, we conservatively extrapolate that sponges can incorporate on average 10,000 microparticulate pollutants in their tissue. The uptake of particles, however, appears independent of the material, which suggests that the fluctuation in material ratios is due to the spatial variation of surrounding microparticles. Therefore, particle-bearing sponges have a strong potential to biomonitor microparticulate pollutants, such as microplastics and other degraded industrial products.

Unravelling the moons: review of the genera Paratetilla and Cinachyrella in the Indo-Pacific (Demospongiae, Tetractinellida, Tetillidae)

Paratetillabacca(Selenka, 1867) andCinachyrellaaustraliensis(Carter, 1886) occur in a broad range of marine environments and are allegedly widely distributed species in the Indo-Pacific. We coin the term ‘moon sponges’ for these species as they are spherical in shape with numerous porocalices resembling the lunar surface. Both species have a complex taxonomic history with high synonymization, in particular by Burton (1934, 1959). An examination of the junior synonyms proposed by Burton (1934, 1959) was conducted to establish the validity of the names. More than 230 specimens from Naturalis Biodiversity Center were reviewed that belong to the generaParatetillaandCinachyrellafrom marine lakes, coral reefs, and mangroves in Indonesia. The aim of the current study was to untangle the taxonomic history, describe the collection of moon sponges from Indonesia, and develop a key. We extensively reviewed the taxonomic literature as well as holotypes of most of the species synonymized by Burton. The taxonomic history ofParatetillaspp. andCinachyrellaaustraliensisshowed some cases of misinterpreted synonyms, misidentifications, and lack of detailed descriptions for some species. The conclusion of the revision is that there are three valid species ofParatetilla(P.arcifera,P.bacca, andP.corrugata) and four valid species ofCinachyrella(C.australiensis,C.porosa,C.paterifera, andC.schulzei) in Indonesia. This is furthermore corroborated by molecular work from previous studies.ParatetillaarciferaWilson 1925 andC.porosa(Lendenfeld, 1888) are resurrected. A full review of taxonomic history is provided as well as a key for identification of moon sponges from Indonesia. All species are sympatric and we expect that there are undescribed species remaining within the Tetillidae from the Indo-Pacific. Our current review provides the framework from which to describe new species in the generaParatetillaandCinachyrellafrom the Indo-Pacific.

Unravelling the moons: review of the genera Paratetilla and Cinachyrella in the Indo-Pacific (Demospongiae, Tetractinellida, Tetillidae)

Paratetillabacca (Selenka, 1867) and Cinachyrellaaustraliensis (Carter, 1886) occur in a broad range of marine environments and are allegedly widely distributed species in the Indo-Pacific. We coin the term ‘moon sponges’ for these species as they are spherical in shape with numerous porocalices resembling the lunar surface. Both species have a complex taxonomic history with high synonymization, in particular by Burton (1934, 1959). An examination of the junior synonyms proposed by Burton (1934, 1959) was conducted to establish the validity of the names. More than 230 specimens from Naturalis Biodiversity Center were reviewed that belong to the genera Paratetilla and Cinachyrella from marine lakes, coral reefs, and mangroves in Indonesia. The aim of the current study was to untangle the taxonomic history, describe the collection of moon sponges from Indonesia, and develop a key. We extensively reviewed the taxonomic literature as well as holotypes of most of the species synonymized by Burton. The taxonomic history of Paratetilla spp. and Cinachyrellaaustraliensis showed some cases of misinterpreted synonyms, misidentifications, and lack of detailed descriptions for some species. The conclusion of the revision is that there are three valid species of Paratetilla (P.arcifera, P.bacca, and P.corrugata) and four valid species of Cinachyrella (C.australiensis, C.porosa, C.paterifera, and C.schulzei) in Indonesia. This is furthermore corroborated by molecular work from previous studies. ParatetillaarciferaWilson 1925 and C.porosa (Lendenfeld, 1888) are resurrected. A full review of taxonomic history is provided as well as a key for identification of moon sponges from Indonesia. All species are sympatric and we expect that there are undescribed species remaining within the Tetillidae from the Indo-Pacific. Our current review provides the framework from which to describe new species in the genera Paratetilla and Cinachyrella from the Indo-Pacific.