Available online at: www.mbai.org.in
doi:10.6024/jmbai.2020.62.2.2250-05
Biodiversity of sponges (Phylum:
Porifera) off Tuticorin, India
M. S. Varsha1,4 , L. Ranjith2, Molly Varghese1, K. K. Joshi1*, M. Sethulakshmi1,
A. Reshma Prasad1, Thobias P. Antony1, M.S. Parvathy1, N. Jesuraj2, P. Muthukrishnan2,
I. Ravindren2, A. Paulpondi2, K. P. Kanthan2, M. Karuppuswami2, Madhumita Biswas3
and A. Gopalakrishnan1
ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi-682018, Kerala, India.
Regional Station of ICAR-CMFRI, Tuticorin-628 001, Tamil Nadu, India.
3
Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, New Delhi-110003, India.
4
Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi-682022, India.
1
2
*Correspondence e-mail: joshyguru@gmail.com
Received: 10 Nov 2020 Accepted: 18 Dec 2020 Published: 30 Dec 2020
Abstract
The present study deals with 18 new records of sponges found at
Kayalpatnam area and a checklist of sponges reported off Tuticorin
in the Gulf of Mannar. The new records are Aiolochoria crassa,
Axinella damicornis, Clathria (Clathria) prolifera, Clathrina sororcula,
Clathrina sinusarabica, Clathrina coriacea, Cliona delitrix, Colospongia
auris, Crella incrustans, Crambe crambe, Hyattella pertusa, Plakortis
simplex, Petrosia (Petrosia) ficiformis, Phorbas plumosus,
Spheciospongia vesparium, Spirastrella cunctatrix, Xestospongia
muta and Sycon ciliatum. Details about the species diversity of
common sponges, invasive sponges,massive sponges and boring
sponges of the area are discussed and presented.
Keywords: Marine sponges, Demospongiae, boring sponges, coral
Islands
Introduction
Gulf of Mannar (GOM) is known for its rich biodiversity of fauna
and flora and a source of inspiration for research and innovation.
Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (GOMBR) with an area of
2
10500 km have 21 coral islands and seven of them occur in
J. Mar. Biol. Ass. India, 62 (2) July- December2020
Original Article
the Vaippar - Tuticorin area. Tuticorin area is characterized by
the presence of hard rocky bottom, soft muddy bottom, lagoon
and lakes. Thiruchendur to Tuticorin region of GOM-up to a
distance of 25 nautical miles from shore 8-10 m depth zone-is
characterized by a narrow belt of submerged dead coral blocks
which serves as a very good substrate for sponges. Patches of
coral ground “Paar” in the 10-23 m depth zone, available in
an area of 10-16 nautical miles from land are pearl oyster beds
(Mahadevan and Nayar, 1967; Nayar and Mahadevan, 1987)
which also forms a good habitat for sponges.
First detailed report of the fauna of Pearl oyster beds of
Tuticorin area was made by Hornell (1922). The first extensive
collection from Tuticorin area was made by Prof. Herdman in
1902 which was later published by Dendy (1905). Relationship
between the pearl oyster beds and sponge fauna have been
reported in earlier works (Herdman, 1903-1906; Hornell,
1905, 1922; Mahadevan and Nayar 1967, 1974; Nayar and
Mahadevan, 1964, 1987). The sponges of Tuticorin have been
considered to be the most diverse and abundant group due to
the presence of unique ecological characteristics of the coast
(Thomas, 1971; 1986). A characteristic feature noted by him
was the dense growth of sponges in the rocky bottom and
associated sand bottom. He reported several new species
to science with detailed systematic account and remains as
Biodiversity of sponges off Tuticorin
a monumental contribution to the spongiology of Gulf of
Mannar. Thomas (1979) presented a systematic account of 32
boring sponges belonging to three orders, four families and 13
genera from the coral reefs of the Gulf of Mannar Ecosystem.
Since the inception of the Marine Biodiversity Division of the
ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, several
research programmes were taken up to fill the gaps in the
Taxonomy of the important groups of the marine organism.
In this context the present exploration and taxonomic work
on the diversity, distribution pattern, habitat interactions
of the sponges occurring along the coral reef ecosystems,
pearl oyster beds and coastal areas was taken up along the
Tuticorin coast of the Gulf of Mannar area. It forms the part of
the All India Coordinated Project on Taxonomy (AICOPTAX), a
new initiative from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and
Climate Change, New Delhi to create the data base on the
inventories of the faunal diversity of India.
Material and methods
Sponge samples were collected from Vaippar-Manappad area
of the Tuticorin in Gulf of Mannar during the period from
September 2018 to May 2019.
Sampling localities
The following localities (Fig. 1) were selected for sample collection:
Periathalai (8°18’20.53” N & 77°58’58.80” E): Periathalai
is a coastal fishing village situated 53 km from Thirunalveli.
The bottom is sandy nearby the coast, rocky and muddy at a
depth of 5-12 m. The Sponge samples landed were from Ovari
Anthoniar kovil vallai velai paar pearl oyster bed. Six sponge
specimens were collected from the area during the field trip
on 21.05.2019 (PR1 - PR6) and preserved.
Manappad (8°22’6.36” N & 78°05’41.09” E): Manappad is 60
km away from Tuticorin and is a fishing village of ancient history.
The rocky shore of Manapad inhabitate high biodiversity and
abundant growth of sponges. A total of 11 sponge samples
were collected from Manappad periya paar Pearl Oyster bed
on 21.05.2019 (MP1 - MP11) and preserved.
Kulasekharapatnam (8°24’33.31” N & 78°04’30.61” E):
Kulasekharapatnam is an ancient port and now serves as a fish
landing centre. The bottom is sandy but near shore is rocky with
a depth range of 5-12 m. The Sponge samples landed were from
Paracherry paar pearl oyster bed. A total of 11 sponge samples
were collected on 21.05.2019 (KU1 - KU11) and preserved.
Alanthalai (8°28’57.75” N & 78°8’21.71” E): Alanthalai is 4
km away from Thiruchandhur and, it is a coastal fishing village.
© Marine Biological Association of India
In ancient times Alanthalai was famous for pearl fishery. Two
pearl oyster beds Semma pathu paar and Alanthalai pathoor
at a depth of 8 m form a suitable habitat for sponges. A total
of 11 sponge specimens were collected from the area during
field trips on 01.12.2018 (AL1 - AL7) and 21.05.2019 (AL8 AL11) and analysed.
Veerapandiyapatnam (8°31’17.22” N & 78°8’29.27” E):
Veerapandiyapatnam is a coastal village near Thiruchandhur
and an important fish landing center. The bottom is sandy and
muddy and support sponge fauna. The sponge samples collected
were from Thundu paar pearl oyster bed. Seven sponge samples
were collected from the area during field trip on 20.05.2019
(VE1 - VE7) and analysed.
Kayalpatnam (8°34’27.36” N & 78°9’15.81” E): Kayalpatnam
is an ancient town which was referred in Marco Polo’s travel
diaries dating to 1250 A D. It is 30 km away from Tuticorin
and was an ancient port. The bottom is rocky, sandy and
muddy. Three pearl oyster beds (paars) support the heavy
growth of sponges in this area. The gill nets and modified
gill nets operating here, bring considerable quantity of
mollusks and sponges as by-catch. The sponges collected
from this area were from Pearl oyster beds Kilathi paar,
Kandiyan paar and Kanawa paar. A total of 39 sponge
specimens were collected during field surveys conducted
on 01.12.2018 (KP1 - KP9, KPI1 - KPI8, KPII1 - KPII2) and
22.05.2019 (KP10 - KP29) and analysed.
Tuticorin Harbour (8° 43’ 4.85 N & 78°11’46.59” E):
Harbour beach is around 8 km from Tuticorin town and it
serves dual-purpose such as landing of Gill net and shore
seine from morning up to 1 p.m. and from 4 p.m. onward
beach tourism kicks in at the same place. The sponges
collected from this area were caught from Hare coral island
and pearl oyster beds such as Thundu Paar, Kanna tivu and
Arupagam paar by the gill netters operating at a depth of
5-10 m. A total of 8 sponge samples were collected on
10.09.2018 (HB1- HB7) and 18.05.2019 (HB8), specimens
were preserved and analysed.
Hare Island (8°47’ 19.58” N & 78°14’ 12.80” E): Hare Island
is 9 km away from Tuticorin town and near to the Tuticorin
Port. Island is a part of Gulf of Mannar National Park with an
area of 1.29 km2. The bottom is sandy with numerous shells
and abundant growth of sea grass. Sponge sample was
collected from the area on 07.09.2018 it was then labelled
(HI1) and preserved.
Inico Nagar (8°47’22.16” N & 78°10’5.93” E): Inico Nagar is
a fish landing center of Tuticorin for gillnetters and disco, they
operate at a depth of 5-8 m in the coral and sandy habitats. The
41
M. S. Varsha et al.
Fig. 1. Sampling stations of the Tuticorin area during 2018-2019.
sponges collected from this area were from Vann Coral Island
and Kilathi paar Pearl oyster bed. Four samples of sponges were
collected from the location during field survey on 29.11.2018
(IN1 - IN4) and analysed.
along with Pearl oyster bed in Tuticorin kuda paar. A total
of 72 sponge specimens were collected during field surveys
conducted on 28.11.2018 (VP1 - VP13) and 20.05.2019
(VP14- VP72) and analysed.
Mottagopuram (8°49’39.38” N & 78°12’32.77”E):
Mottagopuram is located 5 km away from Tuticorin town
and is an ancient fishing village. The special fishing gears
Thallumadi (mini trawl) and Karavalai operates in 3- 4 km
from the shore within a depth of 5 m. The sea grass beds
nearby the coral Island and the rocky habitat of pearl oyster
beds forms a very good ecosystem for sponges. The sponge
samples collected from the area were from Vann coral Island
and Paduthamarikan thundu paar pearl oyster bed. A total
of 30 sponge samples were collected from the locations and
preserved during field surveys on 14.09.2018 (MG1- MG5)
and 20.05.2019 (MG6 - MG30) and analysed.
Tharuvaikulam (8°54’8.98” N & 78°12’ 37.33” E):
Tharuvaikulam is a small fishing village practicing gill net
fisheries, located 10 km away from Tuticorin. The sponges
collected from this area were mainly from Koswari coral Island
and Pearl oyster beds of Cruxian paar and Devi paar. Sponges
occur at a depth range of 8-12 m. Modified gill nets of different
types lands sponges and mollusks as by-catch. Five sponge
specimens were collected and preserved from the area during
field survey on 14.09.2018 (TK1 - TK5).
Vellappatti (8°51’25.46” N & 78°10’40.86” E): Vellappatti
is a traditional fishing village, which is about 35 km away
from Tuticorin. The coastal area nearby Vellapatti is mainly
rocky and sandy bottom with the presence of varieties of
sponges. Fishing takes place mainly outside the reef areas.
Crab net and Mayavalai for perches bring sponges and
mollusks as a by-catch. The sponges collected from this
area were mainly from Koswari coral Island and Vann Island
42
Pattanamaruthur (8°56’24.10” N & 78°14’11.09” E):
Pattanamaruthur is a village panchayat located in the Tuticorin
district of Tamil-Nadu. It is located 24 km away from Tuticorin.
The sampling area consisted of two coral islands Kariyachalli
and Koswari with rocky and sandy bottom with rich sea grass
bed and Pearl Oyster bed Devi paar which provides optimum
conditions for sponge growth. The area of fishing is up to 15
km from the shore mainly outside the islands. The gill nets and
crab nets bring sponges and molluscs as bycatch. A total of 17
sponge specimens were collected during field surveys conducted
on 20.05.2019 (PT1 - PT17) and preserved.
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India Vol. 62, No.2, July-December 2020
Biodiversity of sponges off Tuticorin
Sippikulam (8°59’40.13” N & 78°15’12.39” E): Sippikulam is
40 km away from Tuticorin where the Vaipaar River joins the
Bay of Bengal. The bottom is mainly sandy with the presence
of abundant molluscan fauna. The samples collected were from
Kariyachalli coral island and Paduthamarikan thundu paar pearl
oyster bed which forms good habitat for sponges at a depth of
12m. A total of 9 sponge specimens were collected from the
area during field trip on 20.05.2019 (SP1 - SP9) and analysed.
Collection and identification
Sponges were collected by handpicking, snorkeling and SCUBA
diving at various localities at a depth of 0-50 m. Visual observation
of the sponge species was done and in situ photographs were
taken. The collected samples were brought to the laboratory
and preserved. During September 2018 and May 2019, a total
of 231 sponge samples were collected from the shore as well
as Sea. The sponges entangled in gill nets were also collected
and preserved. The sponges were identified as per the detailed
diagnostic characters given in past literature (Lendenfeld, 1889;
Bergquist, 1980; Cook and Bergquist, 2002; Hooper and Van
Soest, 2002). Details of the distribution and systematic status
of sponges were referred from the World Porifera Database
(Van Soest et al., 2020). A checklist of sponges reported from
Tuticorin area was prepared and presented.
Results and discussion
Checklist of species
A list of 114 species of sponges was consolidated during
the study from the present collection and past records (Table
1). The checklist comprises 113 species of siliceous (Class
Demospongia) and one calcareous (Class Calcarea) sponge
representing 65 genera, 37 families and 16 orders. During the
documentation of the list, review of the old names and several
systematics and nomenclature modifications of the past names
were done to get a uniform checklist of the species. The past
studies along the Tuticorin coast revealed the presence of
about 94 species along the coast (Dendy, 1905; Hornell, 1905;
Nayar and Mahadevan, 1964, 1987; Mahadevan and Nayar,
1967, 1974; Thomas, 1986; Anita and Lazarus, 2006). The
list includes 18 new records from the Tuticorin coast of Gulf
of Mannar. The new records are Aiolochoria crassa, Axinella
damicornis, Clathria (Clathria) prolifera, Clathrina sororcula,
Clathrina sinusarabica, Clathrina coriacea, Cliona delitrix,
Colospongia auris, Crella incrustans, Crambe crambe, Hyattella
pertusa, Plakortis simplex, Petrosia (Petrosia) ficiformis, Phorbas
plumosus, Spheciospongia vesparium, Spirastrella cunctatrix,
Sycon ciliatum and Xestospongia muta (Table 1). Family wise
list and other details of new records of species observed during
the present study are given below.
© Marine Biological Association of India
Family Aplysinidae Carter, 1875
1. Aiolochroia crassa (Hyatt, 1875)
(Plate I, Fig.1)
Systematics
Class: Demospongiae Sollas, 1885
Order: Verongiida Bergquist, 1978
Family: Aplysinidae Carter, 1875a
Genus: Aiolochroia Wiedenmayer, 1977
Species: Aiolochroia crassa (Hyatt, 1875)
Type species: Dendrospongia crassa: Hyatt, 1875: 401, pl.13
[Memoirs of the Boston Society of Natural History. 2] Bahamian,
Atlantic. Valid as Aiolochroia crassa (Hyatt, 1875).
Description: Massive to lobate, presence of a knob shaped
conules. The color is light golden yellow with a small mixture
of colors in different areas. When taken out of water specimen
turns to dark purple and dry specimens are purple black.
Distribution: This species was found in the Pearl oyster paar
(rocky bottom) was covered by coral sand of Kayalpatnam. Widely
known from Atlantic Ocean (Laubenfels, 1950; Wiedenmayer,
1977; Rützler et al., 2009; Van Soest, 2017), Caribbean Sea
(Van Soest, 1978; Zea,1987; Lehnert,1993; Rützler et al., 2000)
and Gulf of Mexico (Green, 1977).
Remarks: The species occurs in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic
Ocean. Laubenfels (1948) recorded its occurrence in the IndoWest Pacific. Most probably the species may be introduced
into Gulf of Mannar Ecosystem especially the present locality
Kayalpatnam was an ancient port during the 15th century and
a lot of fishing activities occurred during that period from
Atlantic Ocean. Detailed surveys were undertaken to confirm
its occurrence at Kayalpatnam as an alien species.
Family Axinellidae Carter, 1875
2. Axinella damicornis (Esper, 1794)
(Plate I, Fig. 2)
Systematics
Class: Demospongiae Sollas, 1885
Order: Axinellida Lévi, 1953
Family: Axinellidae Carter, 1875
Genus: Axinella Schmidt, 1862 (Genus)
Species: Axinella damicornis (Esper, 1794)
Type species: Spongia damicornis Esper, 1794, Esper, 1794:249,
pl. XXIX [Zweyter Theil, Raspe: Nürnberg] locality unclear. Valid
as Axinella damicornis (Esper, 1794).
43
M. S. Varsha et al.
Description: Branching with branches fused together. Irregular
in growth and velvety with dusted blue particles. Live color is
orange red. It occurs in the sandy bottom.
Distribution: Axinella damicornis was found in the sandy bed of
Kayalpatnam. It occurs in the Atlantic Ocean (Van Soest, 1993)
and Mediterranean Sea (Topsent, 1934; Idan et al., 2018).
Remarks: It is a common species in Mediterranean and its
appearance at Kayalpatnam may be due to its introduction from
Mediterranean Sea through ship transportation.
Order: Clathrinida Hartman, 1958
Family: Clathrinidae Minchin, 1900
Genus: Clathrina Gray, 1867
Species: Clathrina sororcula Van Soest & De Voogd, 2015
Type species: Clathrina sororcula Van Soest & De Voogd, 2015,
14-15, fig.7 [Zootaxa. 3951(1)] Malacca Strait, Singapore. Valid
as Clathrina sororcula Van Soest & De Voogd, 2015.
Description: Cushion like white, semitransparent tubular body
encrusting on rocks. Oscules are visible. Live colouration is
white. Presence of sea grass and seaweed along sponge habitat.
Family Clathrinidae Minchin, 1900
3.Clathrina sororcula Van Soest & De Voogd,
2015
Distribution: This species was found in the coral sand area of
Kayalpatnam. It occurs in the Pacific Ocean (Van Soest and De
Voogd, 2015) and Indian Ocean (Van Soest and De Voogd, 2015).
(Plate I, Fig. 3)
Systematics
Class: Calcarea Bowerbank, 1862
Remarks: The Holotype locality was Singapore and Paratype
from Indonesia. It is a new record with regard to the Gulf of
Mannar Ecosystem.
Plate I. New records of sponges from Tuticorin area 1. Aiolochroia crassa 2. Axinella damicornis 3. Clathrina sororcula 4. Clathrina sinusarabica 5.
Clathrina coriacea 6. Cliona delitrix 7. Collospongia auris 8. Spirastrella cunctatrix 9. Spheciospongia vesparium (all photographs under water in situ)
44
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India Vol. 62, No.2, July-December 2020
Biodiversity of sponges off Tuticorin
4. Clathrina sinusarabica Klautau &
Valentine, 2003
(Plate I, Fig.4)
Systematics
Class: Calcarea Bowerbank, 1862
Order: Clathrinida Hartman, 1958
Family: Clathrinidae Minchin, 1900
Genus: Clathrina Gray, 1867
Species: Clathrina sinusarabica Klautau & Valentine, 2003
Type species: Clathrina sinusarabica Klautau & Valentine,
2003,45, fig.37 [Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.
139(10] Red Sea, Egypt. Valid as Clathrina sinusarabica Klautau
& Valentine, 2003.
Description: Tubular sponge body encrusting a rock and irregular
in shape. Color in fresh condition is white.
Distribution: This species was found in the seagrass bed of
Kayalpatnam. It occurs in the Red sea (Voigt et al., 2017; Van
Soest and De Voogd, 2018) and Indian Ocean (Van Soest and
De Voogd, 2018).
Remarks: Clathrina sinusarabica is distributed in the Red sea and
occurs at Gulf of Aqaba, Northern and Central Red Sea, Saudi
Arabia. This is the first report of from Gulf of Mannar of India.
5.Clathrina coriacea (Montagu, 1814)
(Plate I, Fig. 5)
Systematics
Class: Calcarea Bowerbank, 1862
Order: Clathrinida Hartman, 1958
Family: Clathrinidae Minchin, 1900
Genus: Clathrina Gray, 1867
Species: Clathrina coriacea (Montagu, 1814)
Type species: Spongia coriacea Montagu, 1814, 116 [Memoirs
of the Wernerian Natural History Society. 2(1)] Celtic Seas. Valid
as Clathrina coriacea (Montagu, 1814).
Description: Sponge body is irregular and loosely formed. It
was identified by the presence of triactines which are conical
and cylindrical in shape.
Distribution: This species was found in the coral reef areas
of Kayalpatnam. It occurs in the Mediterranean Sea (Rützler,
1965), Atlantic Ocean (Borojevic, 1967; Wiedenmayer 1977;
Rützler 1986), Indian Ocean (Borojevic and Grua, 1965; Thomas,
1979), Pacific Ocean (Ridley, 1881; Kelly et al., 2009), Artic
Ocean (Fristedt, 1887; Burton, 1930) and Red sea (Vine, 1986).
© Marine Biological Association of India
Remarks: This species was reported from several parts of
Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean. The present record is the
first report from the Gulf of Mannar of India. It does not seem
to be cosmopolitan, but a geographically well-defined species
from the North Atlantic.
Family Clionaidae d’Orbigny, 1851
6. Cliona delitrix Pang, 1973
(Plate I, Fig. 6)
Systematics
Class: Demospongiae Sollas, 1885
Order: Clionaida Morrow & Cárdenas, 2015
Family: Clionaidae d’Orbigny, 1851
Genus: Cliona Grant, 1826
Species: Cliona delitrix Pang, 1973
Type species: Cliona delitrix Pang, 1973, 28-31 [Postilla. 161]
Greater Antilles. Valid as Cliona delitrix Pang, 1973.
Description: Encrusting on coral and damages coral. The
oscules are prominent and relatively large. The spicules consist
of tylostyles. Colour in live condition is orange. The outer
circumference of the species is blue in colour.
Distribution: This species was a boring sponge found in the cup
coral at Kayalpatnam. It occurs in the Caribbean Sea (Buznego
and Alcolado, 1987; Pérez et al., 2017) and Atlantic Ocean
(Van Soest, 1981).
Remarks: It was reported from Caribbean Sea and Gulf of
Mexico. This species also may be introduced to Gulf of Mannar,
Ecosystem from other ecosystems. This was the first report of
Cliona delitrix from Gulf of Mannar of India.
Family Thorectidae Bergquist, 1978
7. Collospongia auris Bergquist, Cambie &
Kernan, 1990
(Plate I, Fig.7)
Systematics
Class: Demospongiae Sollas, 1885
Order: Dictyoceratida Minchin, 1900
Family: Thorectidae Bergquist, 1978
Genus: Collospongia Bergquist, Cambie & Kernan, 1990
Species: Collospongia auris Bergquist, Cambie & Kernan, 1990
Type species: Collospongia auris Bergquist et al, 1990, 350353 [Biochemical Systematics and Ecology. 18 (5):] Great
45
M. S. Varsha et al.
Barrier Reef, Australia. Valid as Collospongia auris Bergquist,
Cambie & Kernan, 1990.
Family: Clionaidae d’Orbigny, 1851
Genus: Spheciospongia Marshall, 1892
Species: Spheciospongia vesparium (Lamarck, 1815)
Description: Sponge with a thin body and spread on coral
reefs. The live color of the sponge is greenish blue sandy with
coral and molluscan shells. Surface is smooth with elevating
irregularly. Presence of primary and secondary fibers.
Type species: Alcyonium vesparium Lamarck, 1815, 69-89
[Mémoires du Muséum d’Histoire naturelle, Paris. 1] Greater
Antilles. Valid as Spheciospongia vesparium (Lamarck, 1815).
Distribution: This species was found in the sandy bottom of
Kayalpatnam. It occurs in the Pacific Ocean (Bergquist et al., 1990).
Description: Sponge body is erect with an apical oscule. It grows
to large size. Live color is brown at surface and grey inside.
Remark: It was reported from Great Barrier Reefs in Coral Habitat.
This is the first report of the speciesfrom the coral ecosystem
of Gulf of Mannar, India.
Distribution: This species was found in the coral sand area
of Kayalpatnam. It occurs in the Atlantic Ocean (George and
Wilson, 1919; Arndt, 1927; Laubenfels, 1936; Rützler, 1974;
Wiedenmayer, 1977) and the Caribbean Sea (Duchassaing de
Fonbressin and Michelotti, 1864; Bowerbank, 1872; Hechtel,
1965; Rützler et al., 2014).
Family Spirastrellidae Ridley & Dendy, 1886
8. Spirastrella cunctatrix Schmidt, 1868
Remarks: This species is widely distributed, and this is the first
report from Tuticorin area of Gulf of Mannar.
(Plate I, Fig. 8)
Systematics
Class: Demospongiae Sollas, 1885
Order: Clionaida Morrow & Cárdenas, 2015
Family: Spirastrellidae Ridley & Dendy, 1886
Genus: Spirastrella Schmidt, 1868
Species: Spirastrella cunctatrix Schmidt, 1868
Family Microcionidae Carter, 1875
10. Clathria (Clathria) prolifera (Ellis &
Solander, 1786)
Type species: Spirastrella cunctatrix Schmidt, 1868, 17, pl.III
8 [Drittes Supplement, Wilhelm Engelmann: Leipzig: i-iv]
Carribbean. Valid as Spirastrella cunctatrix Schmidt, 1868.
Description: Encrusting sponge which occurs in the coral area.
Tylostyles and spirasters are present in the skeleton. Live
colouration is orange. It is usually attached to cup coral.
Distribution: This species was found in the coral plates of Kayalpatnam.
It occurs in the Mediterranean Sea (Lévi, 1957; Rützler, 1965; BouryEsnault, 1971), Atlantic Ocean (Lévi, 1959; Logan et al., 1984; Van
Soest, 2001), Indian Ocean (Hentschel, 1909; Vacelet and Vasseur,
1971), Caribbean Sea ( Laubenfels, 1936) Pacific Ocean (DesqueyrouxFaúndez, 1990) and Red sea (Lévi, 1965).
Remarks: It was reported from different localities like
Mediterranean, West Indies and Atlantic. This is the first report
of sponge from Gulf of Mannar, India.
9. Spheciospongia vesparium (Lamarck, 1815)
(Plate I, Fig. 9)
Systematics
Class: Demospongiae Sollas, 1885
Order: Clionaida Morrow & Cárdenas, 2015
46
(Plate II, Fig.10)
Systematics
Class: Demospongiae Sollas, 1885
Order: Poecilosclerida Topsent, 1928
Family: Microcionidae Carter, 1875
Genus: Clathria Schmidt, 1862
Sub Genus: Clathria (Clathria) Schmidt, 1862
Species: Clathria (Clathria) prolifera (Ellis & Solander, 1786)
Type species: Spongia prolifera Ellis & Solander, 1786, 189190 [Systematically arranged and described by the late Daniel
Solander. 4] New Jersey, NW Atlantic. Valid as Clathria (Clathria)
prolifera (Ellis & Solander, 1786).
Description: Encrusting, lamellate and attached to coral rocks
and pearl oyster paars. Small, short tubular. The skeleton has
subtylostyles, microscleres and toxas. Live color is orange red.
Distribution: This species was found in the sandy area of
Kayalpatnam. Occurs in the Atlantic Ocean (Desor, 1848 (1851);
Lambe, 1896; George and Wilson, 1919; Johnson, 1971; Van
Soest, 1984; Trott, 2004).
Remarks: Originally described from New Jersey, NW Atlantic
and subsequently reported from the whole Eastern Seaboard
of the USA and south to Florida, Mexico and Brazil. The tropical
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India Vol. 62, No.2, July-December 2020
Biodiversity of sponges off Tuticorin
records of this species need to be re-examined and are expected
to belong to a different species (van Soest, 1993). This is the
first report from Tuticorin area of Gulf of Mannar.
Description: Encrusting, massive, smooth, color seems to be
red coloured. Compressible and tough. Surface is smooth with
dermal membrane. Skeleton containing acanthostyles, oxeas
and sigma. Live color is bright red.
Family Crellidae Dendy, 1922
11.Crella incrustans (Carter, 1885)
(Plate II, Fig.11)
Systematics
Class: Demospongiae Sollas, 1885
Order: Poecilosclerida Topsent, 1928
Family: Crellidae Dendy, 1922
Genus: Crella Gray, 1867
Species: Crella incrustans (Carter, 1885)
Type species: Echinonema incrustans Carter, 1885, 353 [Annals
and Magazine of Natural History. (5) 16(94)] Bassian, Port
Phillips. Valid as Crella incrustans (Carter, 1885).
Distribution: This species was found in the coral reef area of
Kayalpatnam. Occurs in the Pacific Ocean (Kim and Sim, 2001;
Kelly et al., 2009; Whitelegge, 1901).
Remarks: The present record is new to Tuticorin area of Gulf
of Mannar Ecosystem.
Family Crambeidae Lévi, 1963
12. Crambe crambe (Schmidt, 1862)
(Plate II, Fig.12)
Systematics
Class: Demospongiae Sollas, 1885
Plate II. New records of sponges from Tuticorin area 10. Clathria (Clathria) prolifera 11. Crella incrustans 12. Crambe crambe 13. Phorbas plumosus
14. Hyattella pertusa 15. Petrosia (Petrosia) ficiformis 16. Xestospongia muta 17. Plakortis simplex 18. Sycon ciliatum (all photographs under water in
situ except 10)
© Marine Biological Association of India
47
M. S. Varsha et al.
Order: Poecilosclerida Topsent, 1928
Family: Crambeidae Lévi, 1963
Genus: Crambe Vosmaer, 1880
Species: Crambe crambe (Schmidt, 1862)
Family Spongiidae Gray, 1867
14. Hyattella pertusa (Esper, 1794)
Type species: Suberites crambe Schmidt, 1862, 1-88, pl.1-7
[Die Spongien des adriatischen Meeres Wilhelm Engelmann:
Leipzig: i-viii] Adriatic Sea. Valid as Crambe crambe
(Schmidt, 1862)
Description: Encrusting, massive, tubular growth form flat crust.
Surface translucent. Live colouration is light orange.
Distribution: This species was found attached to cup coral and
dead molluscan shells in the coral reef area of Kayalpatnam.
Occurs in the Mediterranean Sea (Schmidt, 1862; Topsent,
1892; Burton, 1936; Sarà and Siribelli, 1960), Indian Ocean
(Barnes and Bell, 2002) and Atlantic Ocean (Van Soest, 2001;
Boury-Esnault et al., 2001 [2005]).
Remarks: This is the first report of Crambe crambe from the
Gulf of Mannar Ecosystem.
(Plate II, Fig.14)
Systematics
Class: Demospongiae Sollas, 1885
Order: Dictyoceratida Minchin, 1900
Family Spongiidae Gray, 1867
Genus: Hyattella Lendenfeld, 1888
Species: Hyattella pertusa (Esper, 1794)
Type species: Spongia pertusa Esper, 1794, [Zweyter Theil
Raspe: Nürnberg 1-303] India. Valid as Hyattella pertusa
(Esper, 1794).
Description: Solid, cup shaped massive sponge body. Several
lobes present in the body. The upper surface more or less
flattened. Very dense and smooth. Skeleton composed of primary
fibers and secondary fibers. Live colouration is dark brown.
Family Hymedesmiidae Topsent, 1928
Distribution: This species was found in the coral reef area of
Kayalpatnam. It occurs in the Indian Ocean (Esper, 1794; Hooper
and Van Soest, 2002).
13. Phorbas plumosus (Montagu, 1814)
Remarks: This is the first report from the Gulf of Mannar Ecosystem.
(Plate II, Fig.13)
Systematics
Class: Demospongiae Sollas, 1885
Order: Poecilosclerida Topsent, 1928
Family: Hymedesmiidae Topsent, 1928
Genus: Phorbas Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864
Species: Phorbas plumosus (Montagu, 1814)
Family Petrosiidae van Soest, 1980
15. Petrosia (Petrosia) ficiformis (Poiret, 1789)
Type species: Spongia plumosa Montagu, 1814, 116 [Memoirs
of the Wernerian Natural History Society. 2(1)] Celtic Seas. Valid
as Phorbas plumosus (Montagu, 1814).
Description: Thickly encrusting, massive, aereolate surface.
Live coloration is red.
Distribution: This species was found in the coral reef area of
Kayalpatnam. It occurs in the Mediterranean Sea (Topsent,
1892; Sarà, 1961; Evcen and Çinar, 2012), Atlantic Ocean
(Montagu, 1814; Bowerbank, 1867; Stephens, 1912; BouryEsnault and Lopes, 1985; Van Soest, 2001) and the Indian
Ocean (Carter, 1881).
Remarks: This is the first report of Phorbas plumosus from Gulf
of Mannar.
48
(Plate II, Fig. 15)
Systematics
Class: Demospongiae Sollas, 1885
Order: Haplosclerida Topsent, 1928
Family: Petrosiidae van Soest, 1980
Genus: Petrosia Vosmaer, 1885
Sub Genus: Petrosia (Petrosia) Vosmaer, 1885
Species: Petrosia (Petrosia) ficiformis (Esper, 1794)
Spongia ficiformis Poiret, 1789: 55-63 [l’Histoire naturelle
de ce Pays. Deuxième Partie Années 1785 et 1786] Western
Mediterranean. Valid as Petrosia (Petrosia) ficiformis (Esper, 1794).
Description: Massive sponge, irregularly globular with a wide
base, several fused lobes.
Distribution: This species was found in the coral reef area of
Kayalpatnam. It occurs in the Mediterranean Sea (Poiret, 1789;
Schmidt, 1864; Topsent1928; Lévi, 1957) and Atlantic Ocean
(Topsent, 1928; Burton, 1956; Lévi and Vacelet, 1958; Van
Soest, 2001).
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India Vol. 62, No.2, July-December 2020
Biodiversity of sponges off Tuticorin
Remarks: Basically, Petrosia ficiformis occur in the
Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean. May be this species
is also introduced to Gulf of Mannar ecosystem through
shipping and transport.
16. Xestospongia muta (Schmidt, 1870)
(Plate II, Fig.16)
Systematics
Class: Demospongiae Sollas, 1885
Order: Haplosclerida Topsent, 1928
Family: Petrosiidae van Soest, 1980
Genus: Xestospongia Laubenfels, 1932
Species: Xestospongia muta (Schmidt, 1870)
Type species: Schmidtia muta Schmidt, 1870, 44-45 [Gebietes
Wilhelm Engelmann: Leipzig iii-iv] Floridian. Valid as Xestospongia
muta (Schmidt, 1870).
Description:Discoid body, surface tuberculate, massive
or encrusting.
Distribution: This species was found in the coral reef area of
Kayalpatnam. It occurs in the Atlantic Ocean (Schmidt, 1870;
Laubenfels, 1953; Wiedenmayer, 1977; Hajdu and Fernandez
et al., 2011; Van Soest, 2017) and Caribbean Sea (Alcolado,
1976; Van Soest, 1980; Zea, 1987; Rützler et al., 2000; Alcolado
and Busutil, 2012; Pérez et al., 2017).
Remarks: This species belongs to Barrel sponge group. Among
this group two other species, Xestospongia testudinaria and
Petrosia ficiformis were already reported from India. The
Xestospongia muta is a new record from Gulf of Mannar.
Family Plakinidae Schulze, 1880
17. Plakortis simplex Schulze, 1880
(Plate II, Fig.17)
Systematics
Class: Homoscleromorpha Bergquist, 1978
Order: Homosclerophorida Dendy, 1905
Family: Plakinidae Schulze, 1880
Genus: Plakortis Schulze, 1880
Species: Plakortis simplex Schulze, 1880
Type species: Plakortis simplex Schulze, 1880, 430-433 [Zeitschrift
für wissenschaftliche Zoologie. 34(2)] Western Mediterranean.
Valid as Plakortis simplex Schulze, 1880
Description: Thin to massive, encrusting, brown in colour,
surface smooth with ostia.
© Marine Biological Association of India
Distribution: This species was found in the coral reef area of
Kayalpatnam. It occurs in the Mediterranean Sea (Schulze,
1880; Topsent, 1934; Lévi, 1952). The Atlantic Ocean (Ferrer
Hernández, 1918; Topsent, 1928; Burton, 1930; Borojevic et
al., 1968; Boury-Esnault, 1973; Van Soest, 1993) The Pacific
Ocean (Topsent, 1897; Laubenfels, 1950), the Indian Ocean
(Vacelet et al., 1976; Thomas, 1979,1981).
Remarks: This species is widely distributed, and Thomas
reported it from Mozambique Channel and Mahe Island.
The present record is new to Tuticorin area of Gulf of
Mannar area.
Family Sycettidae Dendy, 1893
18. Sycon ciliatum (Fabricius, 1780)
(Plate II, Fig.18)
Systematics
Class: Calcarea Bowerbank, 1862
Order: Leucosolenida Hartman, 1958
Family: Sycettidae Dendy, 1893
Genus: Sycon Risso, 1827
Species: Sycon ciliatum (Fabricius, 1780)
Type species: Spongia ciliata Fabricius, 1780, 452 pp. Fauna
Groenlandica, systematice sistens animalia groenlandiae
occidentalis hactenus indagata, quoad nomen specificium,
triviale, vernaculumque, synonyma auctorum plurimum,
descriptionem, locum, victum, generationem, mores, usum
capturamque singuli, pro ut detegendi occasio fuit, maximaque
parte secundum proprias observations] East Greenland. Valid
as Sycon ciliatum (Fabricius, 1780)
Description: Tubular usually single, smooth, soft, papillate and
having single terminal oscula which is fringed with a crown of
spicules. They are attached to hard substrate like coral reefs/
rocks, surface smooth. Color pale white.
Distribution: This species was found in the coral reef area
of Kayalpatnam. It occurs in the Mediterranean Sea (Ellis
and Solander, 1786; Schmidt, 1862; Haeckel,1872; Burton,
1936; Topsent and Olivier, 1943), Atlantic Ocean (Fabricius,
1780; Topsent, 1891; Burton, 1933; Borojevic, 1967; Tendal,
1970; Rützler, 1986; Van Soest, 2001), Pacific Ocean (Kelly
et al., 2009), Artic Ocean (Haeckel,1872; Arnesen, 1900;
Burton, 1930) and Indian Ocean (Trott, 2004; Van Soest
and Voogd, 2018).
Remarks: The present record is an extension of the distribution
of Sycon ciliatum to the Tuticorin area of Gulf of Mannar.
49
M. S. Varsha et al.
Common species
A total of 17 species of sponges was found to be the most
common and abundant from the Hare Island, Tuticorin
Harbour Beach, Tharuvaikulam, Mottagopuram, Vellapatti,
Inico Nagar, Kayalpatnam, Pattanamaruthur, Sippikulam,
Veerapandiyapatnam, Kulasekharapatnam, Alanthalai,
Manappad and Periathalai locations. They are Spongionella nigra,
Clathria (Clathria) indica, Aulospongus tubulatus, Callyspongia
(Euplacella) communis, Axinella donnani (Plate III, Fig.3),
Amphimedon subcylindrica, Stylissa carteri, Iotrochota purpurea,
Mycale (Mycale) grandis, Mycale (Zygomycale) parishii, Dysidea
incrustata, Hyattella intestinalis, Ircinia fusca, Phyllospongia
lamellose, Pione margaritiferae, Hemimycale columella (Plate
III, Fig.6) and Fasciospongia anomala (Plate III, Fig.5).
Invasive sponges
Species invasion is a universal phenomenon throughout the
world and sponges are no exception to it. The major factors
influence the sponge invasion are the ship transportation, ballast
water, attachment and biofouling in ships and other vessels,
transportation through major ocean canals like Suez Canal and
Panama Canal and human activities helps in the successful
colonization of invasive species into new environments. In
the present study five species of new records of sponges’ can
be considered as new introduction to the Kayalpatanam area
from other places through ship transport. The probable invasive
species to this area are Aiolochroia crassa, Clathrina sororcula,
Cliona delitrix, Crella incrustans and Crambe crambe. There are
similar reports of the sponge about the sponge invasion around
the world. Sponge invasions were reported in localities of
Dutch coastal waters (Van Soest et al., 2007), Atlantic Ocean
(Daniela and Janussen, 2011), Mediterranean Sea (Longo et al.,
2007) and Gulf of Morbihan (Perez et al., 2006).
Massive sponges
The characteristic feature of the Tuticorin coast is the presence
and abundance of massive barrel sponges of different size
groups. The most abundant species are Xestospongia testudinaria
(Lamarck, 1815) (=Pertosia testudinaria) followed by Neopetrosia
similis (Ridley & Dendy, 1886) in the rocky bottom of 10-23 m
depth zone. Besides this the Aiolochroia crassa, Spheciospongia
inconstans (Hyatt, 1875), Iotrochota purpurea (Bowerbank,
1875) are also observed in Tuticorin coast. The past studies
along the different pearl oyster beds revealed the abundance
of the two species along the coast (Dendy, 1905; Hornell, 1905;
Nayar and Mahadevan, 1964, 1987; Mahadevan and Nayar,
1967, 1974; Thomas, 1986). Moreover, the underwater survey
conducted in Kayalpatnam area provided information about the
loss of biodiversity of sponges in that area as compared to the
previous works. The major reasons behind the decline of the
number of large species may be attributed to the continuous
disturbance of the bottom habitat by navigation of boats and
other anthropogenic activities. Another important observation
is the decline in the visual spotting of the barrel sponge
(Xestospongia testudinaria, Xestospongia muta) which was
very abundant during 1889 and 1976 periods at Kayalpatnam
paars. It is a great concern to the ecology of the sponge beds
Plate III. Sponge fauna of Tuticorin area 1. Spirastrella coccinea 2. Amorphinopsis excavans 3. Axinella donnani 4. Cliona celata 5. Fasciospongia
anomala 6. Hemimycale columella (all photographs under water in situ except 3 and 5)
50
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India Vol. 62, No.2, July-December 2020
Biodiversity of sponges off Tuticorin
Table 1. Check list of sponges occurring in the Tuticorin area
No
Order
Family
Species name
Reference
1
Poecilosclerida
Acarnidae
Acarnus ternatus Ridley, 1884
Dendy, 1905; Thomas, 1986*
2
Verongiida
Aplysinidae
Aiolochroia crassa (Hyatt, 1875)
New record, Present study
3
Suberitida
Halichondriidae
Amorphinopsis excavans Carter, 1887
Thomas, 1986
4
Suberitida
Halichondriidae
Amorphinopsis foetida (Dendy, 1889)
Dendy, 1905
5
Haplosclerida
Niphatidae
Amphimedon brevispiculifera (Dendy, 1905)
Dendy, 1905
6
Haplosclerida
Niphatidae
Amphimedon delicatula (Dendy, 1889)
Dendy, 1905
7
Haplosclerida
Niphatidae
Amphimedon subcylindrica (Dendy, 1905)
Mahadevan & Nayar, 1967†
8
Poecilosclerida
Microcionidae
Antho (Plocamia) manaarensis (Carter, 1880)
Dendy, 1905; Anita & Lazarus, 2006
9
Tetractinellida
Ancorinidae
Asteropus haeckeli Dendy, 1905
Dendy, 1905
10
Axinellida
Axinellidae
Auletta elongata Dendy, 1905
Dendy, 1905
11
Axinellida
Axinellidae
Auletta lyrata (Esper, 1794)
Dendy, 1905
12
Axinellida
Raspailiidae
Aulospongus tubulatus (Bowerbank, 1873)
Dendy, 1905; Mahadevan & Nayar, 1967
13
Axinellida
Axinellidae
Axinella donnani (Bowerbank, 1873)
Dendy, 1905
14
Axinellida
Axinellidae
Axinella damicornis (Esper, 1794)
New record, Present study
15
Axinellida
Axinellidae
Axinella halichondrioides Dendy, 1905
Dendy, 1905
16
Axinellida
Axinellidae
Axinella labyrinthica Dendy, 1889
Dendy, 1905
17
Axinellida
Axinellidae
Axinella manus Dendy, 1905
Dendy, 1905
18
Biemnida
Biemnidae
Biemna tubulata (Dendy, 1905)
Dendy, 1905; Thomas, 1986
19
Haplosclerida
Callyspongiidae
Callyspongia (Callyspongia) nuda (Ridley, 1884)
Dendy, 1905
20
Haplosclerida
Callyspongiidae
Callyspongia (Callyspongia) reticutis (Dendy, 1905)
Dendy, 1905
21
Haplosclerida
Callyspongiidae
Callyspongia (Cladochalina) diffusa (Ridley, 1884)
Dendy, 1905
22
Haplosclerida
Callyspongiidae
Callyspongia (Cladochalina) spinilamella (Dendy, 1889)
Dendy, 1905
23
Haplosclerida
Callyspongiidae
Callyspongia (Cladochalina) subarmigera (Ridley, 1884) Dendy, 1905
24
Haplosclerida
Callyspongiidae
Callyspongia (Euplacella) communis (Carter, 1881)
Dendy, 1905; Mahadevan & Nayar, 1967
25
Haplosclerida
Callyspongiidae
Callyspongia (Toxochalina) ridleyi (Dendy, 1905)
Dendy, 1905
26
Haplosclerida
Callyspongiidae
Callyspongia (Toxochalina) robusta (Ridley, 1884)
Dendy, 1905
27
Haplosclerida
Callyspongiidae
Callyspongia clathrata (Dendy, 1905)
Dendy, 1905
28
Clionaida
Clionaidae
Cervicornia cuspidifera (Lamarck, 1815)
Thomas, 1986
29
Tetractinellida
Tetillidae
Cinachyrella hirsuta (Dendy, 1889)
Dendy, 1905
30
Suberitida
Halichondriidae
Ciocalypta digitata (Dendy, 1905)
Dendy, 1905
31
Poecilosclerida
Microcionidae
Clathria (Clathria) prolifera (Ellis & Solander, 1786)
New record, Present study
32
Clathrinida
Clathrinidae
Clathrina sororcula Van Soest & De Voogd, 2015
New record, Present study
33
Clathrinida
Clathrinidae
Clathrina sinusarabica Klautau & Valentine, 2003
New record, Present study
34
Clathrinida
Clathrinidae
Clathrina coriacea (Montagu, 1814)
New record, Present study
35
Poecilosclerida
Microcionidae
Clathria (Clathria) indica Dendy, 1889
Dendy, 1905 Mahadevan & Nayar, 1967
36
Poecilosclerida
Microcionidae
Clathria (Thalysias) procera (Ridley, 1884)
Dendy, 1905 Mahadevan & Nayar, 1967
37
Poecilosclerida
Microcionidae
Clathria (Thalysias) vulpina (Lamarck, 1814)
Dendy, 1905; Anita & Lazarus, 2006β
38
Clionaida
Clionaidae
Cliona celata Grant, 1826
Thomas, 1986
39
Clionaida
Clionaidae
Cliona orientalis Thiele, 1900
Thomas, 1986
© Marine Biological Association of India
51
M. S. Varsha et al.
No
Order
Family
Species name
Reference
40
Clionaida
Clionaidae
Cliona delitrix Pang, 1973
New record, Present study
41
Clionaida
Clionaidae
Cliothosa aurivillii (Lindgren, 1897)
Thomas, 1986
42
Dictyoceratida
Thorectidae
Collospongia auris Bergquist, Cambie & Kernan, 1990
New record, Present study
43
Poecilosclerida
Crellidae
Crella incrustans (Carter, 1885)
New record, Present study
44
Poecilosclerida
Crambeidae
Crambe crambe (Schmidt, 1862)
New record, Present study
45
Tetractinellida
Tetillidae
Craniella elegans Dendy, 1905
Dendy, 1905
46
Clionaida
Clionaidae
Dotona pulchella Carter, 1880
Thomas, 1986
47
Dictyoceratida
Dysideidae
Dysidea incrustata (Dendy, 1905)
Dendy, 1905
48
Dictyoceratida
Dysideidae
Dysidea pallescens (Schmidt, 1862)
Dendy, 1905
49
Axinellida
Raspailiidae
Echinodictyum clathratum Dendy, 1905
Sivaleela,2014
50
Axinellida
Raspailiidae
Echinodictyum flabelliforme (Keller, 1889)
Dendy, 1905
51
Tetractinellida
Ancorinidae
Ecionemia acervus Bowerbank, 1862
Dendy, 1905
52
Axinellida
Raspailiidae
Endectyon (Endectyon) fruticosum (Dendy, 1887)
Dendy, 1905; Thomas, 1986
53
Axinellida
Raspailiidae
Endectyon (Endectyon) hornelli (Dendy, 1905)
Dendy, 1905; Mahadevan & Nayar, 1967
54
Axinellida
Raspailiidae
Endectyon (Endectyon) lamellosum Thomas, 1976
Thomas, 1986
55
Dictyoceratida
Thorectidae
Fasciospongia anomala (Dendy, 1905)
Dendy, 1905; Sivaleela,2014
56
Haplosclerida
Niphatidae
Gelliodes carnosa Dendy, 1889
Dendy, 1905; Anita & Lazarus, 2006β
57
Haplosclerida
Niphatidae
Gelliodes incrustans Dendy, 1905
Dendy, 1905; Thomas, 1986
58
Tetractinellida
Geodiidae
Geodia areolata Carter, 1880
Dendy, 1905; Anita & Lazarus, 2006
59
Tetractinellida
Geodiidae
Geodia ramodigitata Carter, 1880
Dendy, 1905; Thomas, 1986
60
Haplosclerida
Chalinidae
Haliclona (Gellius) fibulata (Schmidt, 1862)
Dendy, 1905
61
Haplosclerida
Chalinidae
Haliclona (Gellius) cymaeformis (Esper, 1806)
Dendy, 1905
62
Poecilosclerida
Hymedesmiidae
Hemimycale columella (Bowerbank, 1874)
Dendy, 1905
63
Poecilosclerida
Microcionidae
Holopsamma crassa Carter, 1885
Dendy, 1905
64
Dictyoceratida
Spongiidae
Hyattella cavernosa (Pallas, 1766)
Dendy, 1905
65
Dictyoceratida
Spongiidae
Hyattella intestinalis (Lamarck, 1814)
Dendy, 1905; Thomas, 1986
66
Dictyoceratida
Spongiidae
Hyattella cribriformis (Hyatt, 1887)
Thomas, 1986
67
Dictyoceratida
Spongiidae
Hyattella pertusa (Esper, 1794)
New record, Present study
68
Poecilosclerida
Iotrochotidae
Iotrochota purpurea (Bowerbank, 1875)
Mahadevan & Nayar, 1967
69
Poecilosclerida
Iotrochotidae
Iotrochota baculifera Ridley, 1884
Thomas, 1986
70
Dictyoceratida
Irciniidae
Ircinia fusca (Carter, 1880)
Dendy, 1905; Thomas, 1986
71
Dictyoceratida
Irciniidae
Ircinia ramosa (Keller, 1889)
Thomas, 1986
72
Dictyoceratida
Irciniidae
Ircinia schulzei (Dendy, 1905)
Dendy, 1905
73
Leucosolenida
Grantiidae
Leucandra donnani Dendy, 1905
Dendy, 1905
74
Tetractinellida
Scleritodermidae
Microscleroderma herdmani (Dendy, 1905)
Dendy, 1905
75
Poecilosclerida
Mycalidae
Mycale (Mycale) grandis Gray, 1867
Mahadevan & Nayar, 1967; Thomas, 1986
76
Poecilosclerida
Mycalidae
Mycale (Mycale) gravelyi Burton, 1937
Thomas, 1986
77
Poecilosclerida
Mycalidae
Mycale (Zygomycale) parishii (Bowerbank, 1875)
Mahadevan & Nayar, 1967; Thomas, 1986
78
Poecilosclerida
Myxillidae
Myxilla (Ectyomyxilla) arenaria Dendy, 1905
Dendy, 1905; Mahadevan & Nayar, 1967
52
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India Vol. 62, No.2, July-December 2020
Biodiversity of sponges off Tuticorin
No
Order
Family
Species name
Reference
79
Haplosclerida
Petrosiidae
Neopetrosia similis (Ridley & Dendy, 1886)
Dendy, 1905; Mahadevan & Nayar, 1967
80
Haplosclerida
Niphatidae
Niphates obtusispiculifera (Dendy, 1905)
Dendy, 1905
81
Haplosclerida
Phloeodictyidae
Oceanapia sagittaria (Sollas, 1902)
Dendy, 1905; Sivaleela,2014
82
Haplosclerida
Phloeodictyidae
Oceanapia zoologica (Dendy, 1905)
Dendy, 1905; Thomas, 1986
83
Tetractinellida
Tetillidae
Paratetilla bacca (Selenka, 1867)
Dendy, 1905
84
Bubarida
Desmanthidae
Petromica (Petromica) massalis Dendy, 1905
Dendy, 1905
85
Axinellida
Axinellidae
Phakellia symmetrica Dendy, 1905
Dendy, 1905; Mahadevan & Nayar, 1967
86
Homoscleromorpha
Plakinidae
Plakortis simplex Schulze, 1880
New record, Present study
87
Dictyoceratida
Thorectidae
Phyllospongia lamellosa (Esper, 1794)
Thomas, 1986
88
Dictyoceratida
Thorectidae
Phyllospongia papyracea (Esper, 1806)
Dendy, 1905; Thomas, 1986
89
Haplosclerida
Petrosiidae
Petrosia (Petrosia) ficiformis (Poiret, 1789)
New record, Present study
90
Clionaida
Clionaidae
Pione carpenteri (Hancock, 1867)
Thomas, 1986
91
Clionaida
Clionaidae
Pione margaritiferae (Dendy, 1905)
Dendy, 1905; Thomas, 1986
92
Clionaida
Clionaidae
Pione vastifica (Hancock, 1849)
Mahadevan & Nayar, 1967
93
Verongiida
Pseudoceratinidae
Pseudoceratina purpurea (Carter, 1880)
Dendy, 1905
94
Poecilosclerida
Hymedesmiidae
Phorbas plumosus (Montagu, 1814)
New record, Present study
95
Dictyoceratida
Thorectidae
Scalarispongia scalaris (Schmidt, 1862)
Dendy, 1905
96
Clionaida
Clionaidae
Spheciospongia inconstans (Dendy, 1887)
Mahadevan & Nayar, 1967
97
Clionaida
Clionaidae
Spheciospongia vesparium (Lamarck, 1815)
New record, Present study
98
Clionaida
Clionaidae
Spheciospongia vagabunda (Ridley, 1884)
Dendy, 1905
99
Clionaida
Spirastrellidae
Spirastrella coccinea (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864)
Thomas, 1986
100
Clionaida
Spirastrellidae
Spirastrella cunctatrix Schmidt, 1868
New record, Present study
101
Dictyoceratida
Spongiidae
Spongia (Spongia) officinalis Linnaeus, 1759
Thomas, 1986
102
Dendroceratida
Dictyodendrillidae
Spongionella nigra Dendy, 1889
Dendy, 1905; Mahadevan & Nayar, 1967
103
Dendroceratida
Dictyodendrillidae
Spongionella pulvilla (Dendy, 1905)
Dendy, 1905
104
Suberitida
Halichondriidae
Spongosorites topsenti Dendy, 1905
Dendy, 1905
105
Tetractinellida
Ancorinidae
Stelletta agglutinans (Dendy, 1905)
Dendy, 1905
106
Tetractinellida
Ancorinidae
Stelletta herdmani Dendy, 1905
Dendy, 1905
107
Tetractinellida
Ancorinidae
Stelletta vestigium Dendy, 1905
Dendy, 1905
108
Scopalinida
Scopalinidae
Stylissa carteri (Dendy, 1889)
Mahadevan & Nayar, 1967; Anita & Lazarus, 2006β
109
Leucosolenida
Sycettidae
Sycon ciliatum (Fabricius, 1780)
New record, Present study
110
Suberitida
Suberitidae
Terpios cruciatus (Dendy, 1905)
Dendy, 1905
111
Tethyida
Tethyidae
Tethya aurantium (Pallas, 1766)
Dendy, 1905
112
Tetractinellida
Tetillidae
Tetilla poculifera Dendy, 1905
Dendy, 1905
113
Haplosclerida
Petrosiidae
Xestospongia testudinaria (Lamarck, 1815)
Dendy, 1905; Mahadevan & Nayar, 1967
Haplosclerida
Petrosiidae
Xestospongia muta (Schmidt, 1870)
New record, Present study
114
Thomas, 1986*, Anita & Lazarus, 2006 ß : The species pertaining to Tuticorin area was taken from the reference as it deals with majority of the sponges from Gulf of
Mannar area in general.
Mahadevan & Nayar, 1967† The species name was taken from the reference and those with only generic name was omitted.
of this area. The barrel sponges are one of the best known for
their ability to filter huge quantities of sea water and harbours
proteobacterial and cyanobacterial endosymbionts in their
mesohyl, which plays an essential role in cycling nutrients
© Marine Biological Association of India
in the reefs . The microbes in the sponge and continuous
filtration of sea water helps in the recycling of the nitrogen,
carbon and other nutrients to the next trophic level (Rützler,
1990; Diaz and Rützler, 2001; Morrow et al., 2016; McMurray,
53
M. S. Varsha et al.
2017). The frequent heavy storms and cyclones, mechanical
damage to the sponge body, bleaching and disease of the
sponges due to the climate change might have attributed to
the decline in the population of barrel sponges. At the same
time, the area of incrustation was found to increase by the
encrusting sponge species like Clathria (Clathria) indica in the
coral and paar areas. It was noticed that the Cup coral of this
area was heavily encrusted by the Clathria species. Reason for
the bleaching of the Coral may be due to the poor water quality
and temperature variation.
sponge specimens and reference specimens were deposited
in the National Repository, Marine Biodiversity Museum in
CMFRI, Kochi. The previous studies along the coast revealed a
lot of information about species diversity, ecological diversity,
biodiversity loss, boring sponges and fauna of pearl oyster
beds and sponge - coral interactions (Dendy, 1905; Nayar and
Mahadevan, 1987; Thomas, 1993, 2000; Anita and Lazarus,
2006). The new information about the massive sponges and
boring sponges along the coast will be useful for the conservation
of the biodiversity of the coasts.
Boring sponges
Hornell’s report (1905) on the sponge fauna in the pearl
oyster bed gives a clear understanding of the different
species of sponges, diversity, habitat types and distribution
pattern of sponges during 1889 along the different habitats
of Tuticorin area. The exploratory surveys conducted in the
different paar groups of Vaipar, Tuticorin, Utti, Tolayiram,
Pulipundu, Kanna Tivu, Nedunchechan, Kudamuttu, Thundu
and Manapad resulted in the detailed account of the sponge
species occurring in that area. Most abundant species
reported by Hornell (1905) were Clathria (Clathria) indica,
Spongionella nigra , Callyspongia ( Euplacella ) communis
(= Siphonochalis communis ), Spheciospongia inconstans
(=Suberitus inconstans), Aulospongus tubulatus (=Axinella
tubulata ), Axinella donani , Xestospongia testudinaria
(=Petrosia testudinaria) and Neopetrosia similis (=Petrosia
smilis). Besides this, a total of 78 species were reported from
this area of Gulf of Mannar.
The most common boring sponges recorded from this area were
Amorphinopsis excavans Carter, 1887 (Plate III, Fig.2); Cliona
celata Grant, 1826 (Plate III, Fig.4); Cliona orientalis Thiele,
1900; Cliona delitrix Pang, 1973; Cliothosa aurivillii (Lindgren,
1897); Spirastrella cunctatrix Schmidt, 1868; Spirastrella
coccinea (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864) (Plate III, Fig.1);
Spheciospongia inconstans (Dendy, 1887); Spheciospongia
vesparium (Lamarck, 1815); Spheciospongia vagabunda (Ridley,
1884) and Cervicornia cuspidifera (Lamarck, 1815) which were
attached to different hosts like Corals (Pocillopora damicorinis),
Mollusc shells (Crassostrea madrasensis, Xancus pyrum, Turbo
intercostalis, Hemifusus cochlidium, Rapana bulbosa, Strombus
sp., Babylonia spirata, Murex virgineus, M. tarpa, M. ramosus,
Placuna placenta, Crassostrea cucullata, Pinctada fucata, Cardium
spp., Conus spp., Chaina reflexa), calcareous algae and coralline
algae. Past studies revealed that boring sponges caused damage
to the pearl oyster beds and coral reefs along the Tuticorin coast
(Dendy, 1905; Nayar and Mahadevan, 1987; Thomas, 1993,
2000; Anita and Lazarus, 2006).
The Tuticorin coast from Vaipar to Manappad contains about 33
Pearl oyster beds (Paars) falling into four zones, and the largest
one is Tholayiram Paar. The average depth of the paar is 10-23
m and the area ranged from 1 to 20 km2. Variations observed
in the nature of the substratum as flat rock, rocky and coral
bed, rocky and sandy, rocky and shells, sandy with rocks, rock
with crevices and sandy with muddy (Varma, 1960). The high
diversity in the substrata resulted in the ecosystem services
which resulted in the species variation in the corals, sponges
and associated fauna. Past underwater observation of these
paars reported the presence of species of boring sponges (Dendy,
1905; Nayar and Mahadevan, 1987). The major reason for the
decline of the Pearl fishery along the coast may be attributed to
the high exploitation through intensive fishery, damage caused
by the boring sponges, predation and disease (Hornell, 1905;
Thomas, 1993, 2000).
The present study reported 18 new records from the Tuticorin
coast and resulted in the collection and preservation of 192
54
Out of the underwater exploration conducted by Nayar
and Mahadevan (1964, 1974) important information about
the sponges of Tuticorin emerged. These extensive surveys
revealed the presence of about 77 species of sponges from
different pearl oyster paars of Tuticorin (Mahadevan and Nair,
1967, 1974 Nayar and Mahadevan, 1964, 1987). The most
abundant species reported by their studies were Callyspongia
(Euplacella) communis, Spongionella nigra, Petrosis testudinaria,
Spheciospongia inconstans, Aulospongia tubulatus, Amphimedon
subcylindrica, Stylissa carteri (=Axinella carteri), Iotrcoha
spp., Clathria spp., Axinella donani, Clathria indica and
Spheciospongia inconstans.
Thomas (1986) provided a detailed account of the sponge
fauna of Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay. A total of 275 species
belonging to eight orders 38 families and 136 genera were
reported. His study covered the localities of Gulf of Mannar
from Rameswaram to Tuticorin and the study reported all the
sponges recorded in the Tuticorin area of GOM in the previous
works as well as new species described by the author (Thomas,
1971, 1986). Anita and Lazraus (2006) studied 50 species of
sponges belonging to six orders, 16 families and 28 genera
from Gulf of Mannar ecosystem.
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India Vol. 62, No.2, July-December 2020
Biodiversity of sponges off Tuticorin
The Report on the Pearl oyster fisheries recorded that boring
sponges are the enemy of Pearl oysters (Hornell, 1905). The
species reported was Cliona margaritifera. Considerable work on
the systematics and distribution pattern during the nineteenth
century revealed the presence of 32 species of boring sponges
from Indian seas with an order of abundance, such that Cliona
celata, Pione vastifica and Pione carpenteri on chanks; Pione
vastifica and Cliona celata on pearl oysters; Cliona celata, Pione
vastifica and Pione carpenteri on edible oysters; Cliona celata,
Cervicornia cuspidifera, Spheciospongia inconstans and Cliothosa
aurivillii on corals (Nayar and Mahadevan, 1987; Thomas, 1979).
The bioinventorying and updating the status of the ecological
services provided by the sponge fauna has to continue to get more
insight into the present species composition and the interaction
between the species and communities occurring in the vast variety
of habitats. Sponges are known for its multifold ecological goods
and services. The policy formulations can be made using the
ecological services provided by the sponge fauna of the coast.
Commercial utilization of sponges for several purposes, including
extraction of bioactive components is the major provisioning
service provided by sponges. Its regulatory services include the
filtration of water through canal system which regulates water
quality of an area. It supports several other organisms as a source
of habitat and place for living and protection.
Acknowledgements
Authors are grateful to Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change, New Delhi for the Financial Support in the form
AICOPTAX project (22018.15 (1) 2015-CS (TAX) on Taxonomical
Investigation on Lesser Known Marine Animals of India - Phylum
Cnidaria (Class: Anthozoa) Phylum Porifera (Marine). Special
thanks to Dr. Kailash Chandra, Director and Dr. C. Raghunathan,
Joint Director, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata for support
provided. We acknowledge the sincere help provided by
Dr. P. P. Manojkumar, SIC, Tuticorin during the Sponge Surveys
we conducted in Gulf of Mannar.
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