Quantification of chemical and mechanical bioerosion rates of six Caribbean excavating sponge species found on the coral reefs of Curaçao

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197824
• Publication Date: 2018-05-30T13:40:50Z
• Authors: Didier M. de Bakker; Alice E. Webb; Lisanne A. van de...; Steven M. A. C. v...; Erik H. Meesters; Fleur C. van Duyl
• Keywords: Bioerosion; Sponge; Tropical marine climate; Alkalinity

Excavating sponges are among the most important macro-eroders of carbonate substrates in marine systems. Their capacity to remove substantial amounts limestone makes these animals significant players that can unbalance reef budget tropical coral reefs. Nevertheless, excavating currently rarely incorporated standardized surveys and experimental work is often restricted a few species. Here were provide chemical mechanical bioerosion rates for six sponge species commonly found on shallow Curaçao (southern Caribbean): Cliona caribbaea, C. aprica, delitrix, amplicavata, Siphonodictyon brevitubulatum Suberea flavolivescens. Chemical, total estimated based various approaches applied infested cores. Conventional standing incubation techniques shown strongly influence dissolution signal. Final rates, change alkalinity water, declined significantly as function time. This effect was mitigated by use flow-through system. Additionally, we mechanically removed fragments collected chamber (1 h) well long-term collection method wk) generally yielded comparable estimates substratum. Observed interspecific variation could evidently be linked adopted boring strategy (i.e. gallery-forming, cavity-forming or network-working) presence absence symbiotic zooxanthellae. Notably, clear diurnal pattern only harbour dense photosymbiotic community. In erosion substantially higher during day. Overall, sum individually acquired using incubations obtained gravimetrically. Such consistency first this field research. These findings support much needed confirmation that, depending scientific demand, different presented here implemented concurrently methods.