This work concerns a) presence, distribution and life cycle of
spongillids from River Temo catchment basin and b) possible
morpho-functional and life cycle adaptations in relation to environmental
conditions. Samplings were carried out from 1984
to 1993 in seven sites located on the principal water-course and
tributaries. Results showed the presence of sponges, in all stations
but the river mouth, belonging to Ephydatia fluviatilis. The
presence of only this species seems to be related to its great plasticity
allowing to adapt populations to a large range of water
and climatic regimes. The steady presence of gemmules in all
seasons may be seen as a strategy to face springer-autumnal
floods and summer drought. These sponges show a high morphological
uniformity, such as crusty shape and small size, whereas
gemmuloscleres morphometry is very variable
