Limnetica, 28 (2): x-xx (2008) Limnetica, 28 (2): 185-188 (2009). DOI: 10.23818/limn.28.14 c Asociacion´ Iberica´ de Limnolog´ a, Madrid. Spain. ISSN: 0213-8409
New records of Eunapius fragilis (Leidy, 1851) and Ephydatia uviatilis (Linnaeus, 1759) (Porifera, Spongillidae) in Ebro River Basin (N Spain)
Javier Oscoz1,∗,PedroTomas´ 2 and Concha Duran´ 3
1 Departamento de Zoolog´ a y Ecolog´ a, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Navarra, Apdo. 177 E-31080, Pamplona, Navarra, Espana.˜ 2 Laboratorio de Ensayos Tecnicos´ S.A., Polig. Ind. Valdeconsejo, C/ Aneto, Parcela 8-A, E-50410 Cuarte de Huerva, Zaragoza. 3 Area´ Calidad de Aguas, Confederacion´ Hidrogra ca´ del Ebro, Paseo Sagasta 24-28, E-50071, Zaragoza. 2 ∗ Corresponding author: [email protected] 2 Received: 17/3/09 Accepted: 21/4/09
ABSTRACT New records of Eunapius fragilis (Leidy, 1851) and Ephydatia uviatilis (Linnaeus, 1759) (Porifera, Spongillidae) in the Ebro River Basin (N Spain) This note represents a contribution to the knowledge of the presence of some species of freshwater sponges (Porifera, Spon- gillidae) in the Ebro River Basin. Two species (Eunapius fragilis and Ephydatia uviatilis) collected in four rivers were identi ed. The presence of Eunapius fragilis in the Iberian Peninsula was con rmed comparing spicules measurements with existing literature data.
Key words: Freshwater sponges, Eunapius fragilis, Ephydatia uviatilis,EbroRiverBasin
RESUMEN NuevascitasdeEunapius fragilis (Leidy, 1851) y Ephydatia uviatilis (Linnaeus, 1759) (Porifera, Spongillidae) en la cuenca del r´ o Ebro (N Espana)˜ Esta nota representa una contribucion´ al conocimiento sobre la presencia de algunas especies de esponjas dulceacu´ colas (Porifera, Spongillidae) en la cuenca del r´ o Ebro. Se identi caron dos especies (Eunapius fragilis y Ephydatia uviatilis), las cuales fueron halladas en cuatro r´ os. Mediante la comparacion´ de los tamanos˜ medidos de las esp´ culas con los datos existentes en la literatura, se con rmo´ la presencia de Eunapius fragilis en la Peninsula Iberica.´
Palabras clave: Esponjas dulceacu´ colas, Eunapius fragilis, Ephydatia uviatilis, Cuenca del r´ o Ebro.
Sponges (Porifera) are ancient multicellular ani- kowiidae, Palaeospongillidae and Potamolepidae mals that have colonized most aquatic habitats, (Manconi & Pronzato, 2002). The Palaeospon- from polar seas to tropical waters. The majo- gillidae is exclusively fossil. Spongillidae show rity of sponges are restricted to marine environ- a worldwide distribution, whereas the other - ments, but a few taxa live in freshwater habi- ve families are endemic or are geographica- tats. All freshwater sponges were combined into lly restricted. According to Pronzato & Manco- a new haplosclerid suborder Spongillina, compri- ni (2001) three families are present in Europe: sing seven families: Spongillidae, Lubomirskii- Malawispongiidae (endemic to the lake Ochrid dae, Malawispongiidae, Metaniidae, Metschni- in Macedonia), Metschnikowiidae (endemic to 186 Oscoz et al. the Caspian Sea) and Spongillidae (cosmopolitan sidered interesting in order to increase the know- and widely distributed). In the Iberian Peninsula ledge of their distribution. four living sponges have been recorded (Trave- During the 2007 and 2008 water quality sur- set, 1986; Pronzato & Manconi, 2001): Ephyda- veys carried out in the Ebro River Basin, seve- tia uviatilis (Linnaeus, 1759), Ephydatia mue- ral specimens of freshwater sponges were found lleri (Lieberkuhn,¨ 1855), Heteromeyenia baileyi in eight sample stations belonging to four rivers. (Bowerbank, 1863) and Spongilla lacustris (Lin- However, due to the absence of gemmules in so- naeus, 1759). Moreover, Trochospongilla horri- me of these specimens, only specimens from four da (Weltner, 1893) has been recorded as a fossil localities in four rivers could be identi ed. sponge in Portugal, and on the other hand the pre- sence of Eunapius fragilis (Leidy, 1851) is doubt- – Ephydatia uviatilis (Fig. 1): This cosmopo- ful (Traveset, 1986). Due to relative scarcity of litan sponge, widely distributed throughout data about the presence of freshwater sponges, the northern Hemisphere, is notably common their discovery and identi cation could be con- in Europe and the Iberian Peninsula, both in
Figure 1. Ephydatia uviatilis from Ebro River Basin. A: Specimen with gemmules; B and C: Gemmuloscleres. Ephydatia uvia- tilis de la Cuenca del r´ o Ebro. A: Individuo con gemulas;´ B y C: Gemoscleras. Eunapius fragilis and Ephydatia uviatilis in Ebro River Basin 187
running and still waters (Traveset, 1986). It All the specimens were found on boulders was found in two sample stations: Epila, lo- from lotic areas (rif es). wer Jalon River (2008-07-08) [UTM: 30T XM 422076] and Alfaro, in the lower Alhama Ri- – Eunapius fragilis (Fig. 2): This sponge is cos- ver (2008-08-11) [UTM: 30T XM 024705]. mopolitan in a wide range of lentic and lo-
Figure 2. Eunapius fragilis from Ebro River Basin. A: Specimen with gemmules; B: Carpet of gemmules; C: Gemmule with foramen; D and E: Gemmuloscleres. Eunapius fragilis de la Cuenca del r´ o Ebro. A: Individuo con gemulas;´ B: Grupo de gemulas;´ C: Gemula´ con foramen; D y E: Gemoscleras. 188 Oscoz et al.
tic habitats in Europe. It was cited in Portugal ACKNOWLEDGMENTS by Mathes (1952), but Traveset (1986) poin- ted out that its presence in the Iberian Pe- We are grateful to Dr. Iosune Uriz (Centre ninsula was doubtful, and according to Pron- d’Estudis Avanc¸ats de Blanes-CSIC), Dr. Renata zato & Manconi (2001) this species was not Manconi (Universita` degli Studi di Sassari) and present in the Iberian Peninsula. Specimens Dr. Roberto Pronzato (Universita` degli Studi di of this species were found in two close sam- Genova) for the comments and help given, and ple stations: Miranda de Ebro, in the lower for their kindness. We also thank Dr. Enrique Ba- Zadorra River (2008-08-20) [UTM: 30T WN quero (Universidad de Navarra) for his assistance 085251] and Miranda de Ebro, in the midd- in preparing the microscope photographs. le Ebro River (2008-08-20) [UTM: 30T WN 073245]. In the Zadorra River the specimen was found on a small boulder from a rif e, REFERENCES whereas in the Ebro River the sponge was found on an empty Trichoptera case in a river MANCONI, R. & R. PRONZATO. 2002. Suborder stretch dominated by runs and rif es. At least Spongillina subord. nov.; Freshwater sponges. In: 30 megascleres and 40 gemmoscleres were Systema Porifera: A Guide to the Classi cation measured in each specimen. Most of the mea- of Sponges, Vol. 1. J.N.A. Hooper & R.W.M. Van sured spicules agreed with the ranges repor- Soest (eds.): 921-1019. Kluwer Academic/Plenum ted in the literature for this species (Pronzato Publishers, New York. & Manconi, 2001). In the specimen from the MATHES, E. 1952. Guia de trabalhos practicos´ de Zadorra River, megascleres measured 174 to Zoologia. Acta Universitatis Coimbrigensis, 1952. 224 μm in length and averaged 204 μm, whe- 425 pp. PRONZATO, R. & R. MANCONI. 2001. Atlas of reas gemmoscleres measured 62 to 150 μm μ European freshwater sponges. Ann. Mus. civ. St. and averaged 87 m in length. In the speci- Nat. Ferrara, 4: 3-64. men from the Ebro River, megascleres mea- μ TRAVESET, A. 1986. Clave de identificacion´ de las sured 195 to 232 m in length and avera- esponjas de agua dulce de la Pen´ nsula Iberica.´ Aso- μ ged 218 m, whereas gemmoscleres measured ciacion´ Espanola˜ de Limnolog´ a. Claves de identifi- 70 to 132 μm and averaged 83 μm in length. cacion´ de la flora y fauna de las aguas continentales de la Pen´ nsula Iberica.´ Publicacion´ No 2, 25 pp.