BIOEROSION MICRO-PATTERNS AS DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERISTICS IN BORING SPONGES

Abstract

Microscopic pitting patterns produced by different sponges, belonging to three orders and four different families, boring into various substrata have been examined. Different kinds of micro-erosion are characterised by various types of ornamentation and sculpturing patterns. Pione, Cliona and Cliothosa show smooth pits; Holoxea and Spiroxya produce pits that resemble fingerprints, Thoosa and Delectona have pits characterised by deep circular grooves that in Alectona  overlap on radiating erosion lines. The pits of Aka have concentric, deep marks that reach the centre. Here we suggest that these differences are determined by the different erosion mechanisms of the various sponge groups and not by the features of the eroded substrata. In conclusion we propose the use of pitting patterns as a taxonomic tool for the identification of boring sponge groups.