Noyer, C.; Becerro, M.A. (2012). Relationship between genetic, chemical, and bacterial diversity in the Atlanto-Mediterranean bath sponge Spongia lamella. in: Maldonado, M., Turon, X., Becerro, M.A. & Uriz, M.J. (eds) Ancient Animals, New Challenges. Sponge Research Developments. Hydrobiologia. 687: 85-99.

283630

Noyer, C.; Becerro, M.A.

2012

687: 85-99

Publication

Proceedings of the 8th International Sponge Conference, in Gerona

Available for editors  

Does diversity beget diversity? Diversity includes a diversity of concepts because it is linked to variability in and of life and can be applied to multiple levels. The connections between multiple levels of diversity are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the relationships between genetic, bacterial, and chemical diversity of the endangered Atlanto-Medi- terranean sponge Spongia lamella. These levels of diversity are intrinsically related to sponge evolution and could have strong conservation implications. We used microsatellite markers, denaturing gel gradient electrophoresis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and high performance liquid chromatography to quantify genetic, bacterial, and chemical diversity of nine sponge populations. We then used correlations to test whether these diversity levels covaried. We found that sponge populations differed significantly in genetic, bacterial, and chemical diversity. We also found a strong geographic pattern of increasing genetic, bacterial, and chemical dissimilarity with increasing geographic distance between populations. However, we failed to detect significant correlations between the three levels of diversity investigated in our study. Our results suggest that diversity fails to beget diversity within a single species and indicates that a diversity of factors regulates a diversity of diversities, which highlights the complex nature of the mechanisms behind diversity.

Mediterranean Sea in general

Biodiversity, Taxonomic and ecological diversity

Porifera

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