Data

Sponge species distribution and biomass surveys of Caribbean Reefs

Name: Sponge species distribution and biomass surveys of Caribbean Reefs
Published: 2026

Australian Institute of Marine Science

Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)

Viewed: [[ro.stat.viewed]] Cited: [[ro.stat.cited]] Accessed: [[ro.stat.accessed]]

ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2FANDS&rft_id=https://apps.aims.gov.au/metadata/view/c50fa400-8122-11dc-b1b7-00008a07204e&rft.title=Sponge species distribution and biomass surveys of Caribbean Reefs&rft.identifier=https://apps.aims.gov.au/metadata/view/c50fa400-8122-11dc-b1b7-00008a07204e&rft.publisher=Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)&rft.description=Sponge species distribution and biomass was investigated in Caribbean and western Atlantic reefs in 7 countries (Belize, Jamaica, USA (Florida), Bahamas, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and Barbados).The reefs of Belize were intensively surveyed. Surveys were conducted at 5, 10, 15 and 20 m on the seaward facing slopes of Wee Wee Cay, South Water Cay and Glovers Reef. Triplicate 20 m x 2 m transects were surveyed along the depth profile at each depth. All sponges, except boring, thin encrusting and cryptic species were collected, identified to species where possible and weighed. Surveys at Wee Wee Cay at 10 and 15 m were limited to 8 m² because of the large number and volume of sponges. Any additional species that occurred in the remaining 32 m² were recorded. Very large specimens of Xestospongia muta were not collected, but the weights were estimated by calculating the volume from linear measurements and using a weight/volume correction factor calculated from smaller specimens or parts of larger animals which were weighed. Such estimates were made conservatively, erring on the side of underestimation.Similar surveys were carried out in Jamaica (Discovery Bay), USA (Key Largo - French Reef), Bahamas (Exuma Cays - Lee Stocking Island), Puerto Rico (Cayo Enrique, Media Luna), US Virgin Islands (Saint Croix - Buck Island, Tague Bay, Salt River Canyon) and Barbados (West). Triplicate transects were surveyed at depths of 10 m and 20 m at most locations. Transects were variable in size, ranging from 3 m x 2 m to 30 m x 2 m. This research was undertaken to survey sponge species distribution and biomass on Carribean Reefs for comparison with similar data from the central Great Barrier Reef. During these surveys, benthic cover was also surveyed at most locations, using the Line Intercept Transect method.Maintenance and Update Frequency: notPlannedStatement: Statement: The survey methods used are described in:Wilkinson CR and Trott LA (1985) Light as a factor determining the distribution of sponges across the central Great Barrier Reef. Proc. 5th int. 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While AIMS has made every reasonable effort to ensure high quality of the data, products and services, to the extent permitted by law the data, products and services are provided without any warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, including without limitation any implied warranties of title, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. AIMS make no representation or warranty that the data, products and services are accurate, complete, reliable or current. To the extent permitted by law, AIMS exclude all liability to any person arising directly or indirectly from the use of the data, products and services.&rft_rights=Attribution: Format for citation of metadata sourced from Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) in a list of reference is as follows: Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). (2007). Sponge species distribution and biomass surveys of Caribbean Reefs. https://apps.aims.gov.au/metadata/view/c50fa400-8122-11dc-b1b7-00008a07204e, accessed[date-of-access].&rft_rights=Resource Usage:Security classification code: unclassifiedMetadata Usage:Security classification code: unclassified&rft_subject=oceans&rft.type=dataset&rft.language=English Access the data

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Use Limitation: All AIMS data, products and services are provided "as is" and AIMS does not warrant their fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. While AIMS has made every reasonable effort to ensure high quality of the data, products and services, to the extent permitted by law the data, products and services are provided without any warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, including without limitation any implied warranties of title, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. AIMS make no representation or warranty that the data, products and services are accurate, complete, reliable or current. To the extent permitted by law, AIMS exclude all liability to any person arising directly or indirectly from the use of the data, products and services.

Attribution: Format for citation of metadata sourced from Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) in a list of reference is as follows: "Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). (2007). Sponge species distribution and biomass surveys of Caribbean Reefs. https://apps.aims.gov.au/metadata/view/c50fa400-8122-11dc-b1b7-00008a07204e, accessed[date-of-access]".

Resource Usage:Security classification code: unclassifiedMetadata Usage:Security classification code: unclassified

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Full description

Sponge species distribution and biomass was investigated in Caribbean and western Atlantic reefs in 7 countries (Belize, Jamaica, USA (Florida), Bahamas, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and Barbados).The reefs of Belize were intensively surveyed. Surveys were conducted at 5, 10, 15 and 20 m on the seaward facing slopes of Wee Wee Cay, South Water Cay and Glovers Reef. Triplicate 20 m x 2 m transects were surveyed along the depth profile at each depth. All sponges, except boring, thin encrusting and cryptic species were collected, identified to species where possible and weighed. Surveys at Wee Wee Cay at 10 and 15 m were limited to 8 m² because of the large number and volume of sponges. Any additional species that occurred in the remaining 32 m² were recorded. Very large specimens of Xestospongia muta were not collected, but the weights were estimated by calculating the volume from linear measurements and using a weight/volume correction factor calculated from smaller specimens or parts of larger animals which were weighed. Such estimates were made conservatively, erring on the side of underestimation.Similar surveys were carried out in Jamaica (Discovery Bay), USA (Key Largo - French Reef), Bahamas (Exuma Cays - Lee Stocking Island), Puerto Rico (Cayo Enrique, Media Luna), US Virgin Islands (Saint Croix - Buck Island, Tague Bay, Salt River Canyon) and Barbados (West). Triplicate transects were surveyed at depths of 10 m and 20 m at most locations. Transects were variable in size, ranging from 3 m x 2 m to 30 m x 2 m.
This research was undertaken to survey sponge species distribution and biomass on Carribean Reefs for comparison with similar data from the central Great Barrier Reef.
During these surveys, benthic cover was also surveyed at most locations, using the Line Intercept Transect method.

Lineage

Maintenance and Update Frequency: notPlanned

Statement: Statement: The survey methods used are described in:Wilkinson CR and Trott LA (1985) Light as a factor determining the distribution of sponges across the central Great Barrier Reef. Proc. 5th int. Coral Reef Symp., Tahiti 5: 125-130.

Notes

Credit
Wilkinson, Clive R, Dr (Principal Investigator)

Modified: 04 09 2026

This dataset is part of a larger collection

Click to explore relationships graph

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Subjects

oceans |

User Contributed Tags

Other Information

Wilkinson C, Nowak M, Miller I, Baker V (2013) Status of Caribbean coral reefs in seven countries in 1986. Marine Pollution Bulletin 70: 7-9 doi https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.02.040

doi : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.02.040 DOI Link

Link to the metadata record for benthic cover surveys carried out at the same time

url : https://apps.aims.gov.au/metadata/view/6d223bf4-64d1-4f12-a9dd-0e8d98aad3db External Link

Comparisons of sponge populations across the Barrier Reefs of Australia and Belize: evidence for higher productivity in the Caribbean: Wilkinson CR and Cheshire AC (1990) Comparisons of sponge populations across the Barrier Reefs of Australia and Belize: evidence for higher productivity in the Caribbean. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 67: 285-294.

local : 11068/2339

Interocean differences in size and nutrition of coral reef sponge populations: Wilkinson CR (1987) Interocean differences in size and nutrition of coral reef sponge populations. Science. 236: 1654-1657.

local : 11068/2056

Pollution and sponges of Great Barrier Reef and Caribbean nearshore reefs: Wilkinson CR (1987) Pollution and sponges of Great Barrier Reef and Caribbean nearshore reefs. pp. 212-213. Baldwin CL Fringing Reef Workshop. Science, Industry and Management. Proceedings of a workshop held at Arcadia Resort, Magnetic Island, Australia, October 23-25, 1986. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Workshop Series No.9. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

local : 11068/8310

Identifiers

global : c50fa400-8122-11dc-b1b7-00008a07204e