Sponges of the New Caledonian lagoon - IRD

Sponges are fascinating. Each sponge is composed of millions of cells and has a
unique cellular and skeletal organisation. They appear very early in the fossil record
of the history of life, and studies of both fossil species and those living today allow
us to better understand how the first multicellular animals may have functioned.
Living sponges play a vital role in filtering seawater, essential to the equilibrium of
marine ecosystems. They are generally unable to move, living more or less firmly
attached to the seabed, and consequently they have developed a variety of defensive
systems against various predators and parasites, including bacteria and fungi.
This is why many studies searching for pharmacologically active substances, such
as antibiotics, have targeted sponges in particular. Teams of chemists and biologists
all over the world are currently studying many active compounds extracted
from these animals and the diverse tropical faunas have provided a rich source of
these compounds, some of which have already provided commercial products.
Grand recif, Passe de Mato
(photo P. Laboute)
23
Sponges