THE ITALIAN SPONGIOLOGISTS: A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

Abstract

The Italian school of spongiologists appeared later than similar schools in other countries. Nevertheless, Italian sponge scientists spread out from Genoa, the school’s original setting, to various universities, research centers, laboratories, schools and natural parks. Michele Sarà and Gustavo Pulitzer-Fìnali founded the school in the second half of the 20th century. Now in its fourth generation, the school pursues interests that range from basic fields, such as taxonomy, morphology, electron microscopy, ecology, evolution, phylogeny, cell biology, microbiology, symbiosis and molecular biology, to paleontology. At the same time, its applied research also concerns sponge farming (mariculture), bioprospecting, conservation, sustainable aquaculture, and so on.