Brief description
Distribution and size frequency patterns of sessile organisms such as sponges may vary among and within neighbouring reefs. In this study, we examine small scale variation of dictyoceratid sponges (class Demospongiae), commonly found on coral reefs, by surveying six neighbouring islands in central Torres Strait. Each island had four study sites, at least 1 km apart, with each site consisting of three shallow (4-6 m) and three deep (10-15 m) 20 m2 transects. For each transect, we recorded the number of each species and measured the size of the more common dictyoceratid sponges. Seven species of dictyoceratid were recorded in central Torres Strait, with only three species, Coscinoderma sp., Dysidea herbacea and Hyrtios erecta, common to all six islands. Abundance patterns generally varied greatly among islands or sites within islands, perhaps resulting from a combination of physical, biological and stochastic factors. More dictyoceratids were found in deeper water, although abundance across depth for some species varied among islands or sites. Size frequency distribution patterns also varied greatly among islands and between dictyoceratid species, indicating that factors that may promote growth for one species may not necessarily promote growth for a related species. This study shows that patterns of abundance and size of dictyoceratids can vary greatly over small spatial scales and that patterns are species specific.Lineage
Progress Code: completed
Maintenance and Update Frequency: unknown
Statement: unknown
Notes
CreditCRC Torres Strait, TSRA, AIMS
Credit
A. Duckworth and C.W. Wolff
A. Duckworth and C.W. Wolff
Data time period: 2004-12 to 2005-12
text: westlimit=142; southlimit=-11; eastlimit=143; northlimit=-9
Subjects
CRC Torres Strait |
Earth Science | Biological Classification | Animals/Invertebrates |
Earth Science | Biosphere | Aquatic Ecosystems | Coastal Habitat |
Earth Science | Human Dimensions | Environmental Governance/Management | Environmental Assessments |
Marine Features (Australia) | Torres Strait, QLD |
Visual Counts/Observations |
oceans |
User Contributed Tags
Login to tag this record with meaningful keywords to make it easier to discover
Identifiers
- Local : Anzlic Identifier: ANZCW0306006850
- Local : Marlin Record Number: 6850
- global : 976f684a-d480-4e1e-9c38-779ea6082d28