Article: Morphological plasticity in the tropical sponge Anthosigmella varians: Responses to predators and wave energy.(Statistical Data Included)

Malcolm S. Hill (*)

Abstract. The goal of the research presented here was to examine phenotypic plasticity exhibited by three morpho-types of the common Caribbean sponge Anthosigmella varians (Duchassaing & Michelotti). We were interested in examining the biotic (and, to a lesser extent, abiotic) factors responsible for branch production in this species. We also tested the hypothesis that the skeleton may serve an antipredator function in this sponge, focusing on vertebrate fish predators (i.e., angelfish) in this work. In transplant and caging experiments, unprotected forma varians replicates were immediately consumed by angelfish, while caged replicates ...

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