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Endoscopic exploration of Red Sea coral reefs reveals dense populations of cavity-dwelling sponges

Nature volume 413, pages 726–730 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

Framework cavities are the largest but least explored coral reef habitat1. Previous dive studies of caverns, spaces below plate corals, rubble and artificial cavities1,2,3 suggest that cavity-dwelling (coelobite) filter-feeders are important in the trophodynamics of reefs2,4,5. Quantitative community data are lacking, however, as the bulk of the narrow crevices interlacing the reef framework are inaccessible to conventional analysis methods6. Here we have developed endoscopic techniques to explore Red Sea framework crevices up to 4 m into the carbonate rock, revealing a large internal surface (2.5–7.4 m2 per projected m2 reef) dominated by encrusting filter-feeders. Sponges alone provided up to 60% of coelobite cover, outweighing epi-reefal filter-feeder biomass by two orders of magnitude. Coelobite community filtration removed more than 60% of the phytoplankton in the course of its less than 5-minute passage through the crevices, corresponding to an uptake of roughly 0.9 g carbon m-2 d-1. Mineralization of the largely allochthonous organic material is a principal source of nutrients supporting coral and algal growth. The supply of new material by coelobites may provide a key to understanding the ‘coral reef paradox’—a rich ecosystem thriving in nutrient-poor water.

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Figure 1
Figure 2: Physical dimensions of coral reef crevices.
Figure 3: Endoscopic techniques for the study of crevice dimensions and coelobite communities.
Figure 4: Small-scale distribution of coelobite sponges (a), Chla (b), Chla:phaeopigments (c) and oxygen (d) in Red Sea coral reef framework crevices, shown as composites of 25 (a) and 15 (b–d) surveys conducted within the study area (Fig. 1).

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Acknowledgements

We thank G. Hempel and the participants of the Red Sea Programme for support; the Egyptian, Israeli and Jordanian authorities for sampling permission; A. Abu-Hilal, the staff of the Aqaba Marine Science Station, G. Yahel, R. Yahel, B. Munkes and E. Saadalla for field and laboratory support; U. Diez, I. and J. Zainer for assistance; K. Fabricius, A. Genin, B. Lazar and G. Yahel for discussions; R. van Soest for sponge determinations; and V. Ittekkot and M. Huettel for improving the manuscript. This study was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zentrum für Marine Tropenökologie, Fahrenheitstr. 6, Bremen, D-28359, Germany

    Claudio Richter, Mark Wunsch & Iris Kötter

  2. Marine Science Station, University of Jordan and Yarmouk University, PO Box 195, Aqaba, Jordan

    Mohammed Rasheed & Mohammad I. Badran

  3. Max-Planck-Institut für Marine Mikrobiologie, Celsiusstr., Bremen, D-28359, Germany

    Mohammed Rasheed

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  1. Claudio Richter
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Correspondence to Claudio Richter.

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Richter, C., Wunsch, M., Rasheed, M. et al. Endoscopic exploration of Red Sea coral reefs reveals dense populations of cavity-dwelling sponges. Nature 413, 726–730 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/35099547

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