Diversity, Distribution and Phylogenetic Relationships of Deep-Sea Lithistids (Porifera, Heteroscleromorpha) of the Azores Archipelago
Lithistid sponges are globally distributed in temperate and sub-tropical areas, constituting an important component of deep-sea benthic communities where they form structurally complex and vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs). In this study, we assess the diversity and investigate the spatial and bat...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2021-05-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Marine Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.600087/full |
| _version_ | 1818947190393929728 |
|---|---|
| author | Joana R. Xavier Joana R. Xavier David J. Rees Raquel Pereira Ana Colaço Ana Colaço Christopher K. Pham Christopher K. Pham Francisca C. Carvalho Francisca C. Carvalho |
| author_facet | Joana R. Xavier Joana R. Xavier David J. Rees Raquel Pereira Ana Colaço Ana Colaço Christopher K. Pham Christopher K. Pham Francisca C. Carvalho Francisca C. Carvalho |
| author_sort | Joana R. Xavier |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Lithistid sponges are globally distributed in temperate and sub-tropical areas, constituting an important component of deep-sea benthic communities where they form structurally complex and vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs). In this study, we assess the diversity and investigate the spatial and bathymetric distribution of the lithistid sponges of the Azores archipelago (North Atlantic) based on historical records and examination of samples accidentally collected during deep-sea longline fishing operations in the region. Eleven lithistid species are recognized to occur in the Azores, including Leiodermatium tuba, recently described from material collected in several Northeast Atlantic seamounts that is hereby reported for the first time to the archipelago. We provide molecular barcodes (mtDNA COI and rRNA 28S) for seven of these species, including Discodermia ramifera, Macandrewia azorica, and Exsuperantia archipelagus, for which the Azores constitutes the type locality. We further discuss the phylogenetic and biogeographic affinities of the Azorean lithistids in the context of the Porifera classification, and the wider Northeast Atlantic upper bathyal fauna. Our study also warrants the addition of some lithistid species to the list of VME indicators for the Northeast Atlantic in support of the sustainable management and conservation of these species and habitats, as well as the ecological functions they deliver. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T08:26:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d76f0dc867814b4baeb8533e1af75a51 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-7745 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T08:26:58Z |
| publishDate | 2021-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Marine Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-d76f0dc867814b4baeb8533e1af75a512022-12-21T19:46:48ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Marine Science2296-77452021-05-01810.3389/fmars.2021.600087600087Diversity, Distribution and Phylogenetic Relationships of Deep-Sea Lithistids (Porifera, Heteroscleromorpha) of the Azores ArchipelagoJoana R. Xavier0Joana R. Xavier1David J. Rees2Raquel Pereira3Ana Colaço4Ana Colaço5Christopher K. Pham6Christopher K. Pham7Francisca C. Carvalho8Francisca C. Carvalho9CIIMAR – Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Matosinhos, PortugalDepartment of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, NorwayDepartment of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, NorwaySystematic Biology, Department of Organismal Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SwedenOkeanos – Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, PortugalIMAR – Instituto do Mar, Horta, PortugalOkeanos – Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, PortugalIMAR – Instituto do Mar, Horta, PortugalDepartment of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, NorwaySection of Taxonomy and Evolution, Department of Natural History, University Museum of Bergen, University of Bergen, Bergen, NorwayLithistid sponges are globally distributed in temperate and sub-tropical areas, constituting an important component of deep-sea benthic communities where they form structurally complex and vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs). In this study, we assess the diversity and investigate the spatial and bathymetric distribution of the lithistid sponges of the Azores archipelago (North Atlantic) based on historical records and examination of samples accidentally collected during deep-sea longline fishing operations in the region. Eleven lithistid species are recognized to occur in the Azores, including Leiodermatium tuba, recently described from material collected in several Northeast Atlantic seamounts that is hereby reported for the first time to the archipelago. We provide molecular barcodes (mtDNA COI and rRNA 28S) for seven of these species, including Discodermia ramifera, Macandrewia azorica, and Exsuperantia archipelagus, for which the Azores constitutes the type locality. We further discuss the phylogenetic and biogeographic affinities of the Azorean lithistids in the context of the Porifera classification, and the wider Northeast Atlantic upper bathyal fauna. Our study also warrants the addition of some lithistid species to the list of VME indicators for the Northeast Atlantic in support of the sustainable management and conservation of these species and habitats, as well as the ecological functions they deliver.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.600087/fullbathyalrock spongesoceanic islandsseamountsbiodiversitybiogeography |
| spellingShingle | Joana R. Xavier Joana R. Xavier David J. Rees Raquel Pereira Ana Colaço Ana Colaço Christopher K. Pham Christopher K. Pham Francisca C. Carvalho Francisca C. Carvalho Diversity, Distribution and Phylogenetic Relationships of Deep-Sea Lithistids (Porifera, Heteroscleromorpha) of the Azores Archipelago Frontiers in Marine Science bathyal rock sponges oceanic islands seamounts biodiversity biogeography |
| title | Diversity, Distribution and Phylogenetic Relationships of Deep-Sea Lithistids (Porifera, Heteroscleromorpha) of the Azores Archipelago |
| title_full | Diversity, Distribution and Phylogenetic Relationships of Deep-Sea Lithistids (Porifera, Heteroscleromorpha) of the Azores Archipelago |
| title_fullStr | Diversity, Distribution and Phylogenetic Relationships of Deep-Sea Lithistids (Porifera, Heteroscleromorpha) of the Azores Archipelago |
| title_full_unstemmed | Diversity, Distribution and Phylogenetic Relationships of Deep-Sea Lithistids (Porifera, Heteroscleromorpha) of the Azores Archipelago |
| title_short | Diversity, Distribution and Phylogenetic Relationships of Deep-Sea Lithistids (Porifera, Heteroscleromorpha) of the Azores Archipelago |
| title_sort | diversity distribution and phylogenetic relationships of deep sea lithistids porifera heteroscleromorpha of the azores archipelago |
| topic | bathyal rock sponges oceanic islands seamounts biodiversity biogeography |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.600087/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT joanarxavier diversitydistributionandphylogeneticrelationshipsofdeepsealithistidsporiferaheteroscleromorphaoftheazoresarchipelago AT joanarxavier diversitydistributionandphylogeneticrelationshipsofdeepsealithistidsporiferaheteroscleromorphaoftheazoresarchipelago AT davidjrees diversitydistributionandphylogeneticrelationshipsofdeepsealithistidsporiferaheteroscleromorphaoftheazoresarchipelago AT raquelpereira diversitydistributionandphylogeneticrelationshipsofdeepsealithistidsporiferaheteroscleromorphaoftheazoresarchipelago AT anacolaco diversitydistributionandphylogeneticrelationshipsofdeepsealithistidsporiferaheteroscleromorphaoftheazoresarchipelago AT anacolaco diversitydistributionandphylogeneticrelationshipsofdeepsealithistidsporiferaheteroscleromorphaoftheazoresarchipelago AT christopherkpham diversitydistributionandphylogeneticrelationshipsofdeepsealithistidsporiferaheteroscleromorphaoftheazoresarchipelago AT christopherkpham diversitydistributionandphylogeneticrelationshipsofdeepsealithistidsporiferaheteroscleromorphaoftheazoresarchipelago AT franciscaccarvalho diversitydistributionandphylogeneticrelationshipsofdeepsealithistidsporiferaheteroscleromorphaoftheazoresarchipelago AT franciscaccarvalho diversitydistributionandphylogeneticrelationshipsofdeepsealithistidsporiferaheteroscleromorphaoftheazoresarchipelago |