Sponges of the New Caledonian lagoon - IRD

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36 Sponges of the New Caledonian Lagoon Scientific terminology It is inevitable that in a book like this, which attempts to explain complex scientific phenomena in simple terms, some scientific words or phrases must be used. Wherever possible these words and phrases are highlighted in bold upon their first citation, and they are defined in the glossary at the end of the book. Following convention, words given in italics refer to proper scientific names of ani mals, either derived from the Latin or Greek languages or words from other lan guages with latinised endings. These proper scientific names are given to every species of animal described in the scientific literature. Each name is unique, allowing an accurate 'tag' for any particular species. Sometimes a particular species is given more than one name, for one reason or another, in which case the older, first-used name is usually the valid one, and the younger names are called junior synonyms. There is a hierarchy of names used in biological classification, starting at the bottom with the "reproductively viable biological unit" - the species; a collection of species with common ancestry - genus; and then the "higher taxa" - family, order, class, and phylum. Again by convention, only the genus and species names are italicised. Often a person's name and date follow the proper scientific name - e.g. Ceratopsion clauara Thiele, 1898. This refers to the person who originally described the species, Or Thiele, and the date when the description was published. Species names become 'available' for use in biology, to 'tag' a species, once they have been published in the scientific literature, together with a recognisable description of the species. These data, author and date, become important to taxonomists when a conflict arises in choosing the correct proper scientific name for a particular species - such as when a single species has been given several names (synonyms) or when the same name has been used more than once for different species. By convention, when the author's name and date appear in brackets (e.g. Clathria uulpina (Lamarck, 1814)), this means that someone has removed the species uulpina to another genus (i.e. in this case the species was originally described by Lamarck in th{' genus Spongia, but now appears in Clathria). The convention governing this protocol, referred to as the International Code of zoological Nomenclature, is detailed and complex, but its major, ultimate purpose is to avoid the possibility of any particular species having more than one valid 'tag'.
Soft parts of the sponge (photo J. Vacelet) Collection MOst sponges are soft-bodied, many are fragile and colours are generally unstable (e.g. aerophobic and soluble pigments). Many sponges are also harmful to humans, producing physical damage (e.g. from sharp spicules protruding through the surface) and/or with an irritating mucus and other chemicals, sometimes causing severe dermitis (such as Biemna hanmani). Consequently, special care must be taken when collecting to minimise damage to both the sponge and collector. Sponges may be removed from the substrate with a knife or chisel, preferably using protective gloves and clothing. Although identifications are possible from small pieces of sponge these may be less accurate and whole individuals are ideal for taxonomy. Collections of sponges intended for identification should be accompanied by in situ photographs and adequate documentation (locality, habitat, surface features, colour notes, etc.). In many species both colouration and morphology may change dramat ically following collection and preservation, and identifications, even by specialists, are often greatly facilitated if there are adequate colour photographs of live material. Fixation and preservation Sponges may be frozen immediately upon collection, which to a certain extent fixes the colour, or material may be placed directly in 80-90% ethanol solution (the sponges dilute this concentration themselves). Buffered formaldehyde is a less preferable alternative for fixation, and should be used for only brief periods (e.g. 24 hours), after which specimens should be transferred immediately to ethanol. Calcareous sponges should not be fixed or preserved in formalin at all. Sponges may also be air-dried in the sun, although many may lose their shape, most lose their colouration (but few lose their noxious smell!). For several groups of sponges (i.e those which have strong fibre skeletons such as the commercial 'bath sponges'), specimens may be rotted in freshwater and subsequently washed in solutions of potassium permanganate, sodium metabisulphide and hydrochloric acid to soften and clean the fibrous skeleton of incorporated sand particles. 37 How can you identify o sponge?
Page 5 and 6: Claude Levi Ed itor Pierre Laboute,
Page 8 and 9: 8 Cel ouurage est le resu/lat d'une
Page 11: This work is the result of a long s
Page 15 and 16: Author profiles Chris Battershill i
Page 17: Clive WiIkinson is Principal Resear
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Page 25 and 26: Sponges are fascinating. Each spong
Page 29 and 30: a What IS sponge .- Cll0anocytes in
Page 31 and 32: Sponge structure s ponge adults are
Page 33 and 34: ., Matrix cyanobacleria (photo J. V
Page 35 and 36: whiCh are always present irrespecti
Page 37: How con you s identi fy sponge? o p
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Page 51 and 52: Anchorate isochela (pl,oto P.R. Ber
Page 57 and 58: The role of sponges In carol reefs
Page 59 and 60: the production of much coral rubble
Page 61 and 62: food material of plant and animal o
Page 63 and 64: The fascinating world of sponge che
Page 65 and 66: It was originally assumed that spec
Page 67 and 68: Sponge diversity, distribution and
Page 69 and 70: predators. Nor do many have adequat
Page 71 and 72: where its life forms were capable o
Page 73: Actual proportions of endemic speci
Page 86: Order Astrophorida 84 I SteJlerro (
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104 Sponges of the New Caledonian L
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Further reading Brien (P.), Levi (C
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Glossary Acantho- Addition of spine
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incorrectly interchanged with the t
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Clathrate Interwoven tubular constr
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Ectosome Peripheral region of the s
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198 Sponges of the New Coledonion L
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202 Sponges of the New Caledonian l
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List of general illustrations provi
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115 Mycale (Zygomycale) parishi (BO
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212 Sponges of the New Caledonion L
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