Identification of sponges from Karah Island

Abstract

Sponges are the oldest and successful living multicelullar invertebrates commonly found widely in the world. However, identification of sponges is still ongoing especially in Malaysia scenario. Beside to discover and describe species of sponges in this region, it is also to disseminate and contribute knowledge in the sponge systematic. The aim of this study is to identify and characterize marine sponges' distribution from Karah Island, Terengganu. In addition this project lead the effort to provide more information of these species and encourage sponges' exploration for others significance. Several samples of sponges from Karah Island were collected. Identification and characterization of sponges were based on morphology of sponges like habitat, colour, shape, surface characteristic and consistency and type of spicules or fiber. Skeleton architecture composed of spicules was used widely in this study as main indicator of sponges' identification. Results showed that four obtained specimens were identified up to the species level. Another 20 species were identified up to genus level and six species were identified only up to family level. Results indicated that ten orders from class of Demospongiae were obtained during this study. This finding indicated that population of sponges from Malaysia's island were abundance with 85% of Class Demospongiae.