1 research outputs found
Distribution patterns and demographic trends of demosponges at the Menorca Channel (Northwestern Mediterranean Sea)
Este artículo contiene 17 páginas, 11 figuras, 3 tablas.Nowadays, there is still a huge lack of knowledge regarding the morphology and size structure of sponge populations
and their possible ecological implications. This study assesses, by means of quantitative analyses of
video transects and morphometric analyses on still photographs, the geographical, bathymetrical and sizestructure
distribution of the most relevant habitat-forming sponge species on the continental shelf and the upper
slope of the Menorca Channel, an area soon to be declared a Marine Protected Area (MPA) as part of the Natura
2000 Network. Additionally, the influence of seafloor variables on the observed distribution patterns was
evaluated. Highest sponge densities and abundances were concentrated in areas of high hydrodynamism, namely
the rocky shoals offshore Cap Formentor and the Menorca Canyon’s head. Most of the studied species were
dominated by small to medium size classes, suggesting pulse recruitment events. A clear depth-zonation pattern
has been observed, going from the inner continental shelf to the upper slope. At the same time, the continental
shelf harbored the presence of diverse and contrasting growth morphologies, yet the biggest forms occurred at
the shelf edge and the upper slope. This study highlights the presence of dense, well-preserved sponge populations
in the Menorca Channel, and provides a baseline for their future monitoring once the MPA is declared,
potentially serving as reference for other areas across the Atlanto-Mediterranean region.This work was funded by
the European project LIFE+INDEMARES “Inventario y designación de
la red Natura 2000 en áreas marinas del estado español” (LIFE07/NAT/
E/000732) and the EU-ENPI CBC-Med project ECOSAFIMED ENPIECOSAFIMED-
II-B/2.1/1073 (“Towards Ecosystem Conservation and
Sustainable Artisanal Fisheries in the Mediterranean basin”) (2014–15).Peer reviewe