Freshwater sponges in Estonia: genetic and morphological identification

Abstract

Samples of freshwater sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae, Haplosclerida, suborder Spongillina) were collected at three sites in South Estonia in the Sulaoja and Võhandu rivers. A molecular approach based on the sequencing of the extended D3 domain of the 28S rDNA was used for the confirmation of the identity of sponge species. The DNA analysis showed the presence of three spongillid species in Estonia: Ephydatia fluviatilis, Ephydatia muelleri, and Spongilla lacustris. Identification of the samples by classical morphological studies of their skeleton spicules using scanning electron microscopy was performed in parallel.