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Eunapius carteri: (a, b, c) gemmule by SEM of BMNH 1886.2.9.8 from Mauritius, (a) gemmule with a trilayered theca and extremely developed pneumatic layer (cross section); (b) foramen; (c) close-up of the chambered pneumatic layer and sublayered inner layer (bottom); (d) smooth oxeas gemmuloscleres and (e) oxeas as megascleres from Lake Hyahuleni; (f) sponge surface with conules and apertures of the aquiferous system from Lake Victoria; (g) smooth oxeas megascleres (Lake Victoria, left; Mauritius, right); (k) skeletal network with details (h, i, j) of spicular fi bers from Lake Hyahuleni. (f, g) after Kirkpatrick (1906), modifi ed.
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Biodiversity was assessed and a synthesis on sponges belonging to the genus Eunapius from African inland waters was performed, with detailed descriptions, geographic distribution, ecological notes and a diagnostic key. The gemmular trait "network of spongin fibers in the inner portion of the gemmular theca" discovered by the SEM analysis is here re...
Citations
... However, detailed interpretation of µCT images required additional imaging techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), light microscopy combined with chemical staining of the analyzed elements, or in vivo analysis using CLSM. These techniques complement the information that allows completing the analyzed biological structures' picture (Manconi et al. 2008;Woznica et al. 2010). ...
Complex biological systems often provide ready solutions for contemporary engineering. One such organism might be sponges, primitive, tissueless animals whose evolution over 600 million years has allowed them to become highly specialized. An example of such an organism is the freshwater sponge Spongilla lacustris L., an organism that filters water. This study aimed to investigate the 3D structure of the aforementioned sponge using a broad spectrum of techniques such as Microcomputed Tomography (µCT), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM), and Light Microscopy. Additionally, these techniques have been used to correlate sponge architecture with mechanical properties using the concept of tensegrity, i.e., the feature of architectural structures that self-stabilize by balancing multidirectional, often opposing, tensile and compressive forces. A more detailed look at the structure of the sponge skeleton reveals that it is based on two elements: rigid siliceous spicules, chitin in in fibres with cementing collagen-type spongin material. The coexistence of these elements in the sponge structure determines the mechanical properties and, consequently, the sponge skeleton's postulated tensegrity. Our observations indicate that the integrity of loose megascleres is realized by sponging material surrounding the bundles of spicules. Our distinction of skeletal elements was determined by the number of spicules in the bundle, the direction of spicule position relative to the main body axis, and the way the elements were connected. The arrangement of the bundles described above has important implications for the mechanical properties of the sponge skeleton and, consequently, for the tensegrity hypothesis.
... Sponges show great flexibility in response to extreme environments, and different sponge species inhabit polar waters to tropical seas, and in shallow waters or at great depths; indeed, one suborder, the Spongillina, is adapted to freshwater conditions (Manconi et al. 2008). As it is the lipid composition that governs the physical properties of membranes, the differences observed might be due to adaptation mechanisms for the unequal thermal conditions that can be found in different habitats. ...
The fatty acid composition of marine cold-water sponges of genus Latrunculia, namely Latrunculia bocagei Ridley and Dendy, 1886, and Latrunculia biformis Kirkpatrick, 1907, for which no fatty acid data had been previously reported, has been examined. High levels of long-chain fatty acids (C24-30) with high unsaturation levels (mainly polyunsaturation), and high incidence of branched- and odd-chain fatty acids in sponges are suggested to be partially connected with their specific cell membrane requirements to surmount the negative effects of low temperatures and to enable growth in extreme environments. Furthermore, variations in the fatty acid profile at the species level may reflect variations in compositions or quantities of symbiotic microorganisms that commonly represent up to 60 % of the sponge wet weight. The fatty acid compositions of lipid-rich sponge extracts from five Latrunculia specimens dredged from the Bransfield Strait near the Antarctic Peninsula, were obtained using supercritical carbon dioxide and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-flame ionization detection. Furthermore, the antioxidant activities of these extracts were determined using the photochemiluminescent method. Along with common fatty acids, the chemical analyses revealed very long-chain fatty acids (C22, C24). Differences were seen for the fatty acid levels between both species and different specimens of the same species. The observed differences do not seem connected to the habitat depth of the specimen, but rather indicate the variations within the associated microbiome. Furthermore, these sponge extracts showed antioxidant activities, confirming that they contain lipidic compounds that strongly scavenge free radicals.
... In this respect Haplotype 1 could indicate a separate Eunapius lineage, however, this finds no support with our ITS2 data. Our sampling reveals genetic diversity in an ecologically diverse genus (see also Manconi et al., 2008). Eunapius was previously unrecorded from Lake Tanganyika, though present in surrounding waterbodies, including the Malagarasi River and elsewhere in the Congo drainage, and widespread in Africa (eight taxa) (Manconi and Pronzato, 2008) as well as other continents. ...
... Our sampling reveals genetic diversity in an ecologically diverse genus (see also Manconi et al., 2008). Eunapius was previously unrecorded from Lake Tanganyika, though present in surrounding waterbodies, including the Malagarasi River and elsewhere in the Congo drainage, and widespread in Africa (eight taxa) (Manconi and Pronzato, 2008) as well as other continents. Further collecting and molecular characterisation of Eunapius species from surrounding waterbodies and elsewhere in Africa are in progress to unravel the Eunapius intralacustrine radiation. ...
Skeletal remains of freshwater sponges are important microfossils that may be preserved in the sediments of inland waters. Yet, much is still unknown about the sponge fauna of the Nearctic, which limits their use in paleoenvironmental reconstructions. Here, we report the first evidence of an extant freshwater sponge fauna in Jackson Lake, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming (USA). Two sponge species were identified living in shallow littoral and shoreline environments: Eunapius fragilis (Leidy, 1851) and Ephydatia muelleri (Lieberkühn, 1856). The spicules of E. fragilis present high morphological variability, in contrast to gemmuloscleres reported in specimens from lakes and rivers in southern South America and eastern North America. Ephydatia muelleri also exhibits morphological differences in comparison to published examples, chiefly related to the spines on megascleres. The megascleres of E. muelleri are straight or slightly curved, sharpening gradually towards the apices, with completely smooth surfaces (13%), surfaces with minimal spines (65%), or highly spined surfaces in the central area (22%). These morphological differences in the E. muelleri megascleres suggest the potential for ecophenotypic effects in Jackson Lake. Furthermore, the morphological and ecological variability of E. fragilis and E. muelleri observed in Jackson Lake suggest the need for further studies of the Nearctic to understand if a species complex exists or if morphological dissimilarities are indicative of true taxonomic differences and therefore multiple new species. This study expands the biogeography of freshwater sponges and provides the first documentation of benthic sessile filter feeders in Jackson Lake, a key source of ecosystem services.
New fossil freshwater sponges are recorded from the Upper Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) intertrappean lacustrine sediments of Malwa Group associated with Deccan Volcanic Province in Central India. The micro-palaeontological analysis of diagnostic spicular morphotraits supports the ascription of these fossils to the order Spongillida. The description of new genus Palaeocorvospongilla (family Palaeospongillidae) is based on the entire spicular complement of Palaeocorvospongilla cretacea gen. et sp. nov. It is distinguished from other extant and fossil Spongillida by pseudobirotules and oxeas with morphometries, indicating a very large size of skeletal microscleres from Deccan intertrappean fossils. From an evolutionary point of view, data on Indian fossils indicate a clear trend of long term conservative morphology in the evolutionary history of this genus since the Upper Cretaceous. Fossil data also indicate an early splitting (Mesozoic) and spreading of freshwater sponges Spongillida taxa in the Asian continent.
Sponges are one of the most ancient animal phyla with about 8850 living species and about 5000 described fossil taxa. Most sponges are marine and live at all depths of all oceans. Freshwater bodies (lakes, rivers) are inhabited only by a small minority of species, ca. 240 (
We present additional taxonomic descriptions, with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) illustrations, field observations documented by colour photographs, and notes on habitats and ecology of Corvospongilla ultima (Annandale), Eunapius crassissimus (Annandale), Stratospongilla bombayensis (Carter), S. gravelyi (Annandale) and S. indica (Annandale) from recent sponge collections made in western Maharashtra, India. Stratospongilla gravelyi is rediscovered after a century, and along with it, C. ultima and S. indica are illustrated with SEM images for the first time, unequivocally differentiating these two species. Additional taxonomic, ecological data and illustrations of Corvospongilla lapidosa (Annandale), Dosilia plumosa (Carter), Ephydatia meyeni (Carter), Eunapius carteri (Bowerbank) and Radiospongilla cerebellata (Bowerbank) are also provided to supplement the previously published SEM illustrations. All ten spongillid species treated here were originally described from India and three of them are known to be endemic to the Indian region. Present study is the first re-examination of these Indian spongillid species using SEM, providing greater resolution of their important taxonomic characters and careful documentation of their habitats.
Eunapius conifer is reported for the first time from Singapore, extending its distribution significantly south to the equator from China. The identity of E. conifer has been confusing and uncertain since Annandale described the species in 1916 from Tai Hu near Shanghai, China. Smooth gemmuloscleres (oxeas), 65-115 μm in length, and gemmules, 250-350 μm in diameter, are characteristic of type material which do not agree with Annandale's original description, where it was stated that gemmules were not more than 140 μm in diameter and short, spiny gemmuloscleres were 30 μm in length. We conclude that Annandale's original description of E. conifer is in error and we provide a redescription based on type material as well as living specimens from Singapore. The latter specimens also constitute the first record of freshwater sponge from Singapore.
Freshwater sponges, at present considered monophyletic, belong to the suborder Spongillina (Demospongiae, Haplosclerida) and date back to Paleozoic and Mesozoic. Spongillina consists of seven families containing 47 genera, and 238 species with a geographic range from widespread to sensu stricto endemic. Growth form varies from encrusting to massive and branched; color from green to pale or dark brown, and consistency from soft to hard firm or fragile. Skeletal network is pauci- to multi-spicular, alveolate to reticulate with a variable amount of spongin. Skeleton spicules are smooth or variably ornated megascleres ranging from oxeas to styles and strongyles. Microscleres, usually present, are oxeas, strongyles, aster-like, pseudobirotules. Gemmules, when present, are spherical to ovoid with a protective theca. Gemmular theca, typically bi- or tri-layered, usually bears a pneumatic layer and it is armed by gemmuloscleres. Gemmuloscleres are boletiform (tubelliform), parmuliform, pseudobirotules, oxeas, strongyles, birotules, pseudobirotules, club-like, botryoidal. Gemmules functional role is as resistant or dispersal bodies. Larvae are always parenchymella. The present is work is a relatively critical synthesis of the literature, however, a critical phylogenetic revision of established taxa is still in progress.
Sponges can be found in fresh or saltwater habitats. As part of their life cycle, many sponges produce gemmules as a means of surviving environmental challenge. In most sponges, the gemmules contain cells that are initially in a state of metabolic arrest that is controlled by endogenous factors. This state is known as diapause. Following a period of exposure to unfavorable conditions, the cells in the gemmule transit from diapause into a state known as quiescence in which metabolic depression is controlled by environmental factors. When favorable conditions return, the gemmules germinate and produce a new sponge. Production of gemmules is triggered by environmental factors such as decreased temperature or desiccation and involves cell aggregation of thesocytes and the laying down of the gemmule coat. Thesocytes contain yolk platelets as an energy store and high concentrations of polyols that maintain high osmotic concentration in the cells of the gemmules. The high osmotic concentration maintains metabolic depression and turns off cell division. It is the inability to reduce the osmotic concentration that maintains the gemmules in diapause. Transition to quiescence requires the ability of the cells in the gemmules to convert the polyols to glycogen, and thus reduce the osmotic concentration. At this stage, the cells are able to reduce osmotic concentration but do not until favorable conditions return. Early in the germination process, the polyols are converted to glycogen, reducing the osmotic pressure and releasing the inhibition of cell division and metabolic rate. Both cell division and metabolic rate increase eventually leading to germination of the gemmules and production of a new sponge.
