Sponge Community Structure and Anti-Predator Defenses on Temperate Reefs of the South Atlantic Bight
Term of Award
Fall 2005
Degree Name
Master of Science in Biology (M.S.)
Document Type and Release Option
Thesis (open access)
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Department
Department of Biology
Committee Chair
Daniel F. Gleason
Committee Member 1
Stephen P. Vives
Committee Member 2
Alan W. Harvey
Committee Member 3
Bruce A. Schulte
Abstract
The interaction between predation and anti-predator defenses of prey is important in shaping community structure in all ecosystems. This study examined the relationship between sponge predation and the distribution of sponge anti-predator defenses on temperate reefs in the South Atlantic Bight. Significant differences in the distribution of sponge species, sponge densities, and densities of sponge predators were documented across two adjacent reef habitats. Significant differences also occurred in the distribution of sponge chemical and structural defenses with chemical deterrence significantly greater in sponges associated with the habitat having higher predation intensity. Structural defenses, although effective in some instances, appear to be inadequate against spongivorous predators thereby restricting the distribution of sponge species lacking chemical defenses to habitats with lower predation intensity. These results, when compared to published data from tropical studies, also indicate that predation pressure and the production of anti-predator defenses may be inversely correlated with latitude.
Recommended Citation
Ruzicka, Richard Robert, "Sponge Community Structure and Anti-Predator Defenses on Temperate Reefs of the South Atlantic Bight" (2005). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 705.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/705
Research Data and Supplementary Material
No
