What are the geographical distribution of sponges?

Answer 1

The distribution and taxonomy of freshwater sponges (Porifera: Spongillidae) in North America has not received widespread attention, although some notable works exist for the entire United States (Penney & Racek 1968), and regions surrounding the Great Lakes (Potts 1887; Smith 1921; Old 1931; Jewell 1935; Neidhoefer 1940; Eshleman 1950; Ricciardi & Reiswig 1993). Ricciardi & Reiswig (1993) found 15 different species and suggested that additional taxa could be identified in eastern Canada with further study. Sponges may be more ubiquitous than the available scientific literature indicates; and the absence or limited ranges of some species may not reflect their true zoogeographical distribution, but rather a lack of observation (Frost 1991). We have only been able to find six published records of sponge distributions in Indiana (Evermann & Clark 1920; Kintner 1938; Early et al. 1996; Lauer & Spacie 1996; Early & Glonek 1999; Lauer et al. 2001), and these are limited in scope.

Although bryozoans (Ectoprocta and Entoprocta) are widely distributed in epibenthic and littoral communities (Rogick 1934, 1957; Bushnell et al. 1987; Ricciardi & Lewis 1991), little is known about their zoogeo-graphical status. There are 25 species known in North American freshwater (Wood 2001; Smith 1992), and the distribution of many of these species is thought to be ubiquitous (Bushnell 1974). In the Great Lakes region, some taxonomic records exist (Brown 1933; Rogick 1934; Bushnell 1965a, 1965b, 1965c; Maciorowski 1974; Ricciardi & Reiswig 1994). However, no published documentation could be found for this taxonomic group in Indiana except for these recent studies in the northern part of the state (Wood 1996; Lauer et al. 1999; Last & Whitman 1999/2000).

Without knowing the historical and current distribution of native sponges and bryozoans, it is not possible to identify changes in community composition over time. Rapid modification in the quantity and diversity of benthic species has been observed in the Great Lakes with the appearance of non-indigenous species, such as the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha). These invasions have threatened the biotic integrity of native organisms and negatively affected the ecosystem stability of sessile benthic communities (Hebert et al. 1991; Mills et al. 1994).

Answer 2

Sponges are found in all oceans around the world, from shallow waters to deep sea habitats. They can thrive in various environments, including coral reefs, rocky shores, and sandy bottoms. Some sponges are adapted to cold waters, while others can be found in tropical or temperate regions.