Research Training ProgramSmithsonian
Institution
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| Michelle K. Nestlerode University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington, North Carolina Klaus Ruetzler, Ph.D. "This internship has been a dream come true. I have gained knowledge and skills that I will take with me wherever I go." |
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The Collection of Sponges (Porifera) from the South Atlantic Coast of the United States, II: Distribution
ABSTRACT
During the 1980's, the U.S. Department of Interior conducted the Living Marine Resource Study to evaluate the impacts of oil and gas related activities on live bottom communities on the outer continental shelf from North Carolina to Florida. Specimens of sponges (Porifera) were among some of the invertebrates collected. Methods of sampling included SCUBA, trawls, underwater televisions, still camera systems, suction samplers, and dredges. This research documented the diversity of sponges by examining the specimens from the 1980 survey. A subset of these sponges was identified by examination of their spicules. The size and shape of the spicule is a diagnostic indicator of sponge species. Spicules are either siliceous or calcareous, free or fused structures that make up the mineral skeleton, which supports the soft tissues of sponges. The sponges were previously identified only by visual examination of the entire sponge. These results suggest that species identification through examination of spicules provide a more reliable method of classification. Misidentification and/or underestimation of the number of species within a sample provided an inaccurate view of sponge diversity and population. With this in mind, species abundance and distribution maps of the visually identified sponge species were reconstructed. These maps gave a better idea of the distribution of sponges collected during the survey in 1980. As more of the specimens are re-identified, a more complete distribution map can be made. This data can be compared to original data submitted in the survey report and the percent error made by the previous visual specimen identification can be calculated. As a result, an accurate picture of sponge diversity in this region can be obtained.
This research was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates, award number DBI - 9531331.