Date of Award
Spring 5-2-2022
Document Type
Thesis
Publication Status
Version of Record
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Marine Science and Oceanography
First Advisor
Andia Chaves Fonnegra
Abstract
The 2014-17 El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) created a multi-year thermal anomaly that had a severe global impact on coral reefs; however, it is unknown if all reef organisms were negatively impacted. Previous studies suggest that sponges (phylum Porifera) utilize their regenerative capability to survive stress-inducing conditions; however, it is unknown if they employ this ability to survive multi-year thermal stress. This honors thesis determined if populations of the conspicuous Caribbean sponges, Niphates erecta and Niphates digitalis, were affected by the 2014-17 ENSO event in Florida, Broward County Reefs, and evaluated if sponges utilize their regenerative ability under extreme thermal stress. Abundance and instances of fragmentation and reaggregation of sponges were compared annually from 2013 to 2018. Our results show that erecta populations significantly increased, while digitalis were not significantly impacted suggesting sponges have high resilience. Additionally, we found instances of fragmentation increasing during the event, while merging increases after.
Recommended Citation
Perez, Alexandra, "DO SPONGES NIPHATES DIGITALIS AND N. ERECTA SURVIVE A MULTI-YEAR CORAL REEF BLEACHING EVENT?" (2022). Honors Theses. 12.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/honors_theses/12