merged

Diversity of Associated Macro Organisms in Four Selected Marine Sponges
(Class: Demospongiae) from Bidong Island
Al-Jeria Binti Abdul
Supervisor: Dr. Melissa Beata Martin
Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology)
School of Marine and Environmental Sciences
A study was conducted to document the associated-organisms in four different species
of marine sponges (Theonella swinhoei, Theonella cylindrica, Neopetrosia exigua and
Stylissa carteri). Samples were collected on May and August of 2017 in three localities
of Bidong Island (between Batuan Rusa Utara and Tukun Pengkalan Atap).
Collectively, a total of 919 individuals were sampled belonging to 38 families. The 11
classes recorded are Ophiuroidea, Holothuroidea, Malacostraca, Hexanauplia,
Gastropoda, Bivalvia, Monoplacophora, Sipunculidea, Ascidicea, Polychaeta and
Oligochaeta. Ophiactis savignyi (class Ophiuroidea) was the most dominant organisms
present in all sponges and constituted 51% of overall species. The ecological
interaction was driven for the requirement of food, habitat and avoid predation. The
symbiotic association displayed by the most dominant species is simple commensalism
where one organisms benefit while the host remains unaffected. It is concluded that
marine sponges are vital living “hotels” that support various endo- and epibiont species
of important ecological functions.
1813 | UMT UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH DAY 2018