Citation
BibTeX citation:
@online{cardini2024,
author = {Cardini, U. and Montilla, L. M. and Zapata-Hernandez, G. and
J , Berlinghof and E , Guarcini and M , Furia and F , Margiotta and
T , Meador and C , Wild and S. , Fraschetti and I , Olive},
title = {Reciprocal Nutritional Benefits in a Sponge-Seagrass
Association},
date = {2024-12-12},
url = {https://www.luismmontilla.com/papers/cardini2024/},
doi = {10.1101/2024.12.06.627200},
langid = {en},
abstract = {Sponges commonly form associations within seagrass
meadows, but their potential impact on seagrass productivity and
nutrient cycles remains poorly understood. This study investigates
the association between the demosponge *Chondrilla nucula* and the
Mediterranean seagrass *Posidonia oceanica* in two sampling
occasions during the plant growth (spring) and senescence (autumn)
seasons at a small inlet near Naples, Italy, where the sponge grows
conspicuously within the seagrass bed. We found a non-linear
relationship between the benthic cover of the sponge and the
seagrass, with higher *C. nucula* cover linked to intermediate *P.
oceanica* cover, suggesting spatial dependence. *P. oceanica* showed
higher net primary production (NPP) in spring, while *C. nucula* was
net heterotrophic in spring but exhibited slightly positive NPP in
autumn. NPP remained stable when the two organisms were associated,
regardless of the season. *C. nucula* consistently contributed
inorganic nutrients to the association in the form of phosphate,
ammonium, and substantial nitrate, recycling nutrients that
potentially benefited *P. oceanica* in its growth season. In return,
the seagrass consistently provided dissolved organic carbon, which
aided sponge nutrition in spring. These findings suggest reciprocal
benefits in the interaction between *C. nucula* and *P. oceanica*,
with nutrient exchange facilitating a facultative mutualism that
potentially supports and stabilizes the productivity of the seagrass
ecosystem.}
}
For attribution, please cite this work as:
Cardini, U., L. M. Montilla, G. Zapata-Hernandez, Berlinghof J, Guarcini
E, Furia M, Margiotta F, et al. 2024. “Reciprocal Nutritional
Benefits in a Sponge-Seagrass Association.” December 12, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.12.06.627200.