Rethinking Plasticity in Sponges

Area of Science:

• Marine Biology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Sponges exhibit remarkable phenotypic plasticity, but its definition and application in research are inconsistent.
• Understanding the drivers and variations of plasticity is crucial for sponge biology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the literature on phenotypic plasticity in sponges (Phylum Porifera).
• To analyze the usage contexts and underlying assumptions of phenotypic plasticity.
• To propose a precise framework for studying sponge phenotypic plasticity.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review focusing on phenotypic plasticity in Porifera.
• Analysis of plasticity's usage: general feature vs. specific process.
• Categorization of plasticity into intraindividual/cellular, individual, and population levels.

Main Results:

• The literature often uses synonymous terms, obscuring the complexity of sponge plasticity.
• A three-level framework is proposed: intraindividual/cellular, individual, and population-level plasticity.
• This framework distinguishes plasticity at different biological scales, acknowledging constraints.

Conclusions:

• Precise and consistent terminology is essential for advancing research on sponge phenotypic plasticity.
• The proposed framework aids in addressing knowledge gaps in molecular, ecological, and evolutionary aspects of sponge plasticity.
• Further research should focus on the evolutionary implications of plasticity across different scales in sponges.