SEASONAL GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION OF AN INTERTIDAL SPONGE, HALICLONA PERMOLLIS (BOWERBANK)

¹ Marine Science Center, School of Oceanography, Oregon State University, Newport, Oregon 97365

1. Somatic growth and reproductive characteristics of an intertidal sponge, Haliclona permollis, were followed over a period of four years in a population on the central Oregon Coast.

2. Methods have been developed for estimating the instantaneous tissue temperature of sponges, calculating egg and embryo production, and measuring somatic growth rate.

3. Initiation of oogenesis during early March is best related to increases in incident light.

4. A maximum rate of oogenesis (1.5 eggs/mm³/day) is found near the first two weeks of March, and the annual oocyte production was constant at about 44 oocytes/mm³.

5. Temperature appears to have a secondary role in reproductive behavior but may influence sexual expression.

6. Development of embryos is related to particulate food supply in late spring.

7. Somatic growth rates are minimal from December to April and reach a maximum average of 1% per day in the fall.

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