From Australian Oceans Data Network
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Sponge productivity and abundance on the reef flat at Flinders Reef, Coral Sea

Created 23/06/2025

Updated 23/06/2025

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Sponge population surveys were conducted in mid-winter (July 1983) at 8 sites along a 1.3 km transect across the reef flat, north of the weather station on Flinders Cay. All sponges within duplicate 2 x 2 m quadrats were collected, identified and weighed (wet weight). Respirometry was used to measure rates of oxygen exchange on 20 to 55 g (wet weight) samples of sponge tissue. Rates were measured for 5 specimens of each of Carteriospongia "folpap", Carteriospongia "cups" and Phyllospongia "fingers" and 2 specimens of Thorectidae "firmred". Integrated daily productivity was estimated by using light profiles, measured at the time and interpreted using published equations. Summer productivity rates were estimated using the July production and respiration rates and summer light profiles, with no provision for changes in photoadaptation or temperature. Chlorophyll a content (µg/g wet weight) and mean thickness (mm) of the sponge tissue used for respirometry were also measured. This research was undertaken to determine the contribution of sponges to reef flat productivity by:1. estimating the size and extent of sponge populations on the reef flat2. measuring photosynthetic production and respiration of specimens of the most abundant sponge species present Specimens of sponges were provided to Professor PR Bergquist of the Australian Museum with the following registration numbers:Thorectidae "firmred": Z4970Carteriospongia "folpap": Z4977Phyllospongia "fingers": Z4978Carteriospongia "cups": Z4974

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Additional Info

Field Value
Title Sponge productivity and abundance on the reef flat at Flinders Reef, Coral Sea
Language eng
Licence Not Specified
Landing Page https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/8e2113e3-562a-49b0-ad63-39dbf055f219
Contact Point
Australian Ocean Data Network
reception@aims.gov.au
Reference Period 20/11/2017
Geospatial Coverage
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
{
  "coordinates": [
    148.459147,
    -17.720346
  ],
  "type": "Point"
}
Data Portal Australian Oceans Data Network

Data Source

This dataset was originally found on Australian Oceans Data Network "Sponge productivity and abundance on the reef flat at Flinders Reef, Coral Sea". Please visit the source to access the original metadata of the dataset:
https://catalogue.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/csw/dataset/sponge-productivity-and-abundance-on-the-reef-flat-at-flinders-reef-coral-sea1