Associazione fra la cianoficea aphanocapsa feldmanni e alcune demospongie marine

Abstract

In the cortical layer, cnpnsetl to light and pigmented,n1 the marine Ilc.mospongiac Petrosia licilorniis,Pellina semitubulosa, Verongia aerophoba, Chon.clriffa nucufa, Ircinia rariabifis and Cafyx nicaeensis (in this last species not inall specimens), Bphanocapsn lcldnianni (Cyanophyceae Chroococcales) is constantly present.The alga, which may live in extracellular position in tlie sponge tissue,is more frequently contained in the sponge cells as pinacorytcs and thcsocytes.Our observations show that the intracellular alga is subjected, pnrtieularlyin tliesocytcs of Pctrosia /icilorniis, to a considerable digestion process and conseqnentlyto reduction in granular particles. The Cyanellacare abundant onlyin the pigmented cortical layer and there is a strict interrelationship with occkirrenceof the pigments. In a general way the mutualistic significance of theassociation and its ecological value for sponges living in the superficial watersof the liglitcned pliytal may be emphasized. © 1967 Francis Group, LLC.