NON-INVASIVE BIOMETRIC STUDIES ON SUBERITES DOMUNCULA BY MULTIDETECTOR X-RAY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

Abstract

We used Suberites domuncula Olivi, 1792 associated with pagurid decapods to evaluate the use of multidetector x-ray computed tomography (MDCT) combined with 3-dimensional reconstruction and virtual measurement techniques for biometric studies of living sponges. Sponges were not damaged in any way. Complete 3D-visualization of the sponge body as well as the incorporated gastropod shell is possible. The method allows the determination of the shell genus or species without dissection of the sponge. We calculated the sponge body volumes in comparison to the shell volume. In this way the comparison of various individuals is more exact than comparison of body diameter, since the internal cavities are cleared. We conclude that MDCT technique is of high potential for various questions in sponge science.