Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2025
08:57
VacuSIP, an Improved InEx Method for In Situ Measurement of Particulate and Dissolved Compounds Processed by Active Suspension Feeders
Published on: August 3, 2016
11.0K
Sponge functional roles in a changing world.
James J Bell1, Francesca Strano1, Manon Broadribb1
1School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.
Advances in Marine Biology
|November 3, 2023
Summary
Sponges play vital ecological roles, but anthropogenic stressors threaten their functions. Further research is needed to understand sponge impacts on reef ecosystems in changing oceans.
Area of Science:
- Marine biology
- Ecology
- Environmental science
Background:
- Sponges are ecologically significant benthic organisms with diverse functional roles.
- There is growing global interest in sponge functions and their response to anthropogenic stressors.
- Previous research has not sufficiently addressed the impact of human activities on sponge functions.
Approach:
- This review synthesizes research on sponge functional roles over the past 15 years.
- It examines the impacts of various anthropogenic stressors on these roles.
- Sponge functions are categorized into water column interactions and associations with other organisms.
Key Points:
- Research on sponge functional roles has increased, particularly regarding sponge-mediated nutrient cycling.
- Many anthropogenic stressors can negatively affect sponge pumping rates.
- Disruptions to sponge pumping can lead to significant ecosystem-level impacts.
Conclusions:
- While understanding of sponge importance has grown, experimental data on their future role in changing oceans is limited.
- More research is crucial to predict how sponges will influence reef ecosystems under future environmental conditions.
- Protecting sponge functions is essential for maintaining marine ecosystem health.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Overview of Protists
31
Protists are diverse eukaryotic microorganisms that lack the specialized tissues of plants and animals and the chitinous cell walls of fungi. Their early divergence within Eukarya resulted in structural, functional, and ecological diversity. They are classified into supergroups such as Archaeplastida, Excavata, Amoebozoa, Rhizaria, Alveolata, and Stramenopiles, determined through genetic analysis and structural similarities.Structural and Functional AdaptationsProtists have various adaptations...
31
01:27Diversity of Protists III
29
Rhizaria are a diverse group of unicellular protists characterized by their threadlike cytoplasmic extensions known as pseudopodia. These structures aid in both locomotion and feeding, giving Rhizaria an amoeboid appearance. Their amoeboid morphology once led to taxonomic confusion, but molecular phylogenetics has clarified their evolutionary placement and emphasized their shared use of pseudopodia despite divergent lineages.This clade comprises diverse lineages such as Chlorarachniophyta,...
29
01:39Keystone Species
21.7K
Measures of species biodiversity, such as richness (i.e., the number of species present) and evenness (i.e., their relative abundance), describe an ecological community’s structure. Many factors affect community structure, including abiotic factors (e.g., sunlight and nutrients), disturbances (e.g., fire or flood), species interactions (e.g., predation or competition), and chance events (e.g., foreign species invasion). Certain species—such as keystone species—also play a...
21.7K
01:02Role of Septins
1.8K
Septins are the recently discovered fourth major protein component of the cytoskeleton, along with microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. These proteins can associate with other cytoskeletal filaments and carry out varied roles or can be free-floating in the cytoplasm.
Cellular Functions of Septins
Recent studies have revealed the multifaceted roles of septins in various cellular processes such as cytokinesis, ciliogenesis, and neurogenesis. Septins act as scaffolds and...
Cellular Functions of Septins
Recent studies have revealed the multifaceted roles of septins in various cellular processes such as cytokinesis, ciliogenesis, and neurogenesis. Septins act as scaffolds and...
1.8K
01:29Overview of Fungi
25
Fungi are a diverse group of eukaryotes more closely related to animals than other eukaryotes. Fungal cell walls comprise chitin, a polysaccharide that provides structural strength, and glucans, which contribute to flexibility and integrity. Other polysaccharides, such as mannans and galactosans, may supplement or replace chitin in some fungi. These adaptations, along with their preference for acidic environments and tolerance for high osmotic pressure, enable fungi to thrive in various...
25
01:29Microbial Morphologies
23
Bacterial and archaeal cells exhibit remarkable diversity in shape and structure, critical in their adaptability and functionality. Among bacteria, the most commonly observed shapes include cocci and bacilli. Cocci are spherical and may exist singly or in groupings such as pairs (diplococci), chains (streptococci), clusters (staphylococci), or tetrads. Bacilli, in contrast, are rod-shaped and can also occur as single cells, in pairs, or chains, depending on their environmental and genetic...
23