checklist of the freshwater sponges (porifera: spongillida
TRANSCRIPT
Cumberland Mountain Naturalist Vol 1, Issue 1, March/April 2020
Checklist of the Freshwater Sponges
(Porifera: Spongillida) of Tennessee
John Copeland
2
Cumberland Mountain Naturalist Published by Lincoln Memorial University
Issued by the Cumberland Mountain Research Center
The Cumberland Mountain Naturalist is a quarterly journal devoted to publishing
articles of varied interests related to ecology, conservation, taxonomy, organismal
biology, as well as many other topics for a general audience. Each issue consists of
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Mountain Naturalist is published by Lincoln Memorial University, Cumberland
Mountain Research Center within the Department of Biological Sciences. Address
print correspondence to Cumberland Mountain Naturalist, Department of Biology,
Lincoln Memorial University, 6965 Cumberland Gap Parkway Harrogate, TN
37752. All electronic correspondence can be addressed to the Editor in Chief. Pub-
lication of the Cumberland Mountain Naturalist is underwritten by the Cumberland
Mountain Research Center. If you would like to support this journal and its contin-
ued publication, please contact the Editor in Chief. Opinions and perspectives ex-
pressed in publication are those of the authors and/or editor(s) and do not reflect the
official position or endorsement of Lincoln Memorial University.
If you would like to receive notifications as new issues are published, please send your name and email address to the Editor in Chief. This issue authored by Dr. John E. Copeland is
Professor Emeritus of Biology at Lincoln Memorial
University (LMU). While actively teaching at LMU
he occupied the Louis Lutz Chair in Biology. He is
a twice recipient of the Houston Award for teaching
excellence. His education includes B.S. in Wildlife
Management and M.S. in Wildlife Biology from
Tennessee Technological University and a Ph.D. in
Animal Science from the University of Tennessee.
He is a certified wildlife biologist.
3
Inaugural Issue: Letter from the Editor
Dear Reader,
The release of this inaugural issue of the Cumberland Mountain Naturalist
marks a milestone for the Cumberland Mountain Research Center and the 40+ year
history of the Lincoln Memorial University Wildlife and Fisheries Management
program. This history is in no small part the result of the contributions and efforts
of Dr. John Copeland, Professor Emeritus Wildlife and Fisheries. Although Dr.
Copeland retired in 2016, it is his work to establish, build, and maintain the LMU
Wildlife and Fisheries Management Program that has laid the foundation from
which the Cumberland Mountain Naturalist is launched.
We owe a great debt to Dr. Copeland as he not only began our Wildlife and
Fisheries Program, but he has mentored many students into becoming successful
biologists in their own right. The success of graduates from the LMU Wildlife and
Fisheries program is a testament to Dr Copeland’s dedication to ensuring many,
many, LMU students were well trained to pursue careers within the discipline. Fur-
thermore, as the nature of wildlife biology has become more of landscape and adap-
tive system management, Dr. Copeland was instrumental in the maturation of the
LMU Wildlife and Fisheries program into our new Conservation Biology program
to promote a much broader approach to resource and ecosystem management.
During his 40 years of service to Lincoln Memorial University, Dr. Copeland
also played a crucial role in the creation of the Cumberland Mountain Research
Center (CMRC). Since its creation in 1990, the CMRC has been essential in
providing leadership, mentoring, and resources to facilitate wildlife, conservation,
ecological, and environmental research and educational activities. These efforts
continue today as our Conservation Biology program continues to grow.
With these things in mind, we felt that it most appropriate to have Dr. Copeland
as the author of the first issue of the Cumberland Mountain Naturalist. His contin-
ued, post-retirement work on freshwater sponges in Tennessee is breaking new
ground as he has not only developed the checklist of sponges published here, but in
his efforts he has discovered a new species of sponge. We certainly look forward to
following Dr. Copeland’s research activities as he continues to demonstrate to fac-
ulty and students, how to be a professional, a scientist, and a wildlife biologist
through all his endeavors. Thank you! Dr Copeland for all the you have done and
continue to do.
Sincerely,
LaRoy Brandt
Editor in Chief
Director, Cumberland Mountain Research Center
Checklist of the Freshwater Sponges (Porifera: Spongillida)
of Tennessee
by John E. Copeland
Introduction
Sponges are sessile multicellular animals lacking tissues and organs. They
function through the actions of specialized cells. Totipotent cells are stem cells
capable of changing morphology and physiology to become other types of cells.
Totipotent cells occur throughout the animal kingdom but are uniquely different in
sponges. The totipotent cells of other animals change in only one direction from
stem cell to the derived cell. In sponges these cellular changes can occur naturally
in both directions. Interestingly, human stem cells can be manipulated after differ-
entiation has occurred to convert back to the stem cell state; but this has not been
observed to occur naturally.
Sponges are an ancient and successful life form. They may have been the first
multicellular animal to appear on Earth. Fossil evidence indicates sponges were
present before the Cambrian explosion which occurred over 540 million years ago.
This explosion of new life forms happened over a relatively short period of time,
20 – 25 million years, and resulted in the
appearance of most of the major animal
phyla. Sponges have survived previous
mass extinctions and have adapted to liv-
ing in a variety of aquatic environments.
Freshwater sponges are members of
the benthic (bottom) community of fresh-
water ecosystems. They are typically
found living on hard substrates. In physi-
cal appearance they resemble cushions or
encrustations on the surface of substrates
but can be branched and finger-like. Col-
ors range from white to buff, yellow to
brown, gray to black, and some are green.
The green coloration results from a symbiotic relationship between sponges and
green algae (Figure 1). This situation is common and may be one of the reason
sponges were at one time thought to be plants.
Approximately 8,500 sponge species are known to exist. Freshwater species
account for about 3% of this total. Although sponge invasion of freshwater oc-
curred by the late Carboniferous Period only 6 freshwater families having less than
250 valid species are known worldwide. Currently there are 33 described species
of freshwater sponges in the Nearctic Biogeographical realm. Thirteen species have
Figure 1. Freshwater sponge having zoo-
chlorellae alga symbiont.
2
have been documented in
Tennessee waters. Species of
three families, Metanidae,
Potamolepidae, and Spon-
gillidae, are known to occur
in the United States. Species
belonging to Potamolepidae
and Spongillidae, have been
collected from Tennessee
waters.
Sponges of the family
Potamolepidae are character-
ized by usually producing
sessile gemmules that are
adapted to persisting in situ
(remaining attached to their substrate) under extreme conditions such as low water
levels to harsh flooding and heavy silting. Such gemmules typically lack a pneu-
matic layer and are not well adapted for dispersal by water currents. (Figure 2).
Many sponges of the family Spongillidae are characterized by gemmules hav-
ing pneumatic layers. Gemmules having a pneumatic layer float in water and are
dispersed downstream by water currents. (Figure 3)
Importance of Gemmules:
In physical appearance gemmules are small spherical shaped structures which
have an opening called the foramen. Gemmules have two functional roles as resting
Figure 2. Cross section of a gemmule without pneu-
matic layer.
Figure 3. Cross section of gemmule. A, outer membrane; B, pneumatic layer; C, gem-
mulosclere; D, inner membrane; E, archaeocytes.
3
bodies, gemmules are survival structures which allow sponges to survive environ-
mental conditions detrimental to the adult sponge. Because they are resistant to
freezing, desiccation, and anoxia gemmules are produced in preparation for hiber-
nation or aestivation. (Figures 4 and 5).
As propagules, gemmules are asex-
ual reproductive structures that contain
cells known as archaeocytes and amoe-
bocytes. These cells are surrounded by
a protective coating of interlocking
spicules known as gemmuloscleres
(Figure 3.) Gemmule formation begins
when archaeocytes and nurse cells
know as trophocytes aggregate together
creating a mass. Archaeocytes obtain
polyols from trophocytes which are
used to form vitelline platelets. Archae-
ocytes filled with vitelline platelets be-
come binucleated thesocytes. Amoebocytes surround the mass of developing
thesocytes and secrete an inner and outer membrane composed of spongin. Sclero-
cytes secrete gemmuloscleres between the two membranes. When fully developed
gemmules are spherical to ovoid in shape and have an opening called the foramen.
When gemmules germinate, thesocytes are released through the foramen. Once
released thesocytes differentiate into the various cell types needed for the develop-
ment of a sponge. A single
gemmule has the potential to
give rise to several young
sponges.
Gemmules played a criti-
cal role in the evolution of
freshwater sponges. Freshwa-
ter sponges evolved from
marine ancestors. The inva-
sion and colonization of
freshwater environments pre-
sented difficult challenges for
marine sponges to overcome.
Differences in salinity being
one of them. The average
salt concentration of seawater
is about 3.5% (about 35g of
salt per liter) whereas average
Figure 4. Gemmule cluster in freshwater
sponge body.
Figure 5. SEM of gemmule of Radiospongilla crateri-
formis. A, outer membrane; B, foraminal aperture; C,
distal end of gemmulosclere.
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salinity concentration in freshwater is about 0.1%. This difference is huge and
forced sponges attempting to invade freshwater to overcome osmoregulation
(maintaining an internal balance between water and dissolved materials) problems.
Other barriers had to be solved. Marine environments are continuous with little
probability of becoming dry land. In freshwater environments, there is a much
higher probability of droughts causing low water levels or complete dry-up result-
ing in desiccation of aquatic organisms. Additionally, freshwater ecosystems have a
discontinuous spatial distribution which makes it more difficult for sponges to dis-
perse from one body of water to another. Gemmules proved to be the solution to
overcoming these problems.
Skeleton:
Freshwater sponges have a skeleton composed of protein fibers and siliceous
spicules. Collagen fibers,
known as spongin, form the
fibrous portion of the skele-
ton. These fibers function to
bind spicules together. Spic-
ules which are composed of
silica dioxide form the
ridged mineral portion of
the skeletal system. The
rigidity or stiffness of the
skeleton varies greatly
among species and is deter-
mined by the degree of in-
terlocking or fusion of spic-
ules and by the availability
of silica. Spicules provide
structural support to the
sponge body and protection
to totipotent cells located within gemmules. Additionally, it is thought spicules may
act to prevent or reduce predation. The beauty of a freshwater sponge can be seen
in its spicules. Some spicules are quite ornate in design.
There are three classes of spicules: megalscleres, microscleres and gemmulo-
scleres (Figure 6). Megascleres form the primary skeletal support of the sponge.
Microscleres provide secondary reinforcement. Gemmuloscleres form the protec-
tive armor-like coat of gemmules. Because they are produced in a variety of sizes
and forms, spicules, especially gemmuloscleres, are important for sponge identifica-
tion and taxonomy. Spicules are measured in microns (µm) and may be viewed
using a light compound microscope but are best observed with a scanning electron
microscope.
Figure 6. Spicules of Heteromeyenia tubisperma. A,
gemmuloscleres; B megasclere; C, microsclere.
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Life Cycle:
The life cycle of a freshwater sponges consists of three stages: adult, larvae,
and gemmule; and four phases: active and rapid growth, vegetative, degeneration of
the adult and gemmulation, and quiescence. Reproduction can occur either asexual-
ly or sexually. Asexual reproduction occurs by budding, fragmentation, or gemmule
production. Sexual reproduction results in the formation of flagellated larvae. A
larva freshwater sponges is known as a parenchymula. The active and rapid growth
phase of the life cycle occurs as larvae and archaeocytes are transformed into
adults. The larval stage is the shortest stage of the life cycle; lasting only a few
hours or days. Larvae undergo metamorphosis to become adults. The adult stage
which represents the vegetative phase is responsible for producing the next genera-
tion of sponges. The degeneration of the adult and gemmulation phase occurs as
environmental conditions unfavorable to the adult are encountered, which in Ten-
nessee is during periods of drought or with the onset of falling water temperatures
as winter approaches. Freshwater sponges exist as gemmules during hibernation or
estivation. The time spent in hibernation or estivation represents the quiescence
phase of the life cycle. When environmental condition become favorable for the
survival of the adult sponge gemmules germinate (release Thesocytes) giving rise to
adults (Figure 7).
Figure 7. Annual life-cycle of freshwater sponge.
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Ecological Role:
Sponges are filter feed-
ers. Think of a sponge as
acting as a water filter.
Sponges have water chan-
nels which have an opening
on each end of the channel;
an ostium (pl. ostia) by
which water enters the
sponge, and an osculum (pl.
oscula) through which water
exits the sponge (figure 8).
Food is captures as water
passes through chambers
lined with choanocytes.
Each choanocyte has a col-
lar of microvilli which cap-
tures and filters food and a
flagellum. Flagella through their movements facilitate water movement within the
sponge. Foods include bacteria, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and organic detrital
particulates. Their symbiotic relationship with algae is important in habitats short
on nutrients. Algae provide sponges with photosynthetic produced sugars and oxy-
gen. Algae benefit from sponge produced carbon dioxide and nutrients such as ni-
trogen.
Freshwater sponges serve as a link between benthic and pelagic food webs.
Crayfish of the genus Orconectes, ring-neck duck (Aythya collaris), and few fish
species have been reported to consume freshwater sponges.
Relationship to Other Organisms
Animals and choanoflagellates are considered to have a common eukaryotic
ancestor. The choanoflagellates are a group of free-living unicellular and colonial
flagellate eukaryotes. Choanoflagellates are of particular interest to evolutionary
biologists studying the origins of multicellularity in animals.
The anatomy of a sponge choanocyte is similar to that of choanoflagellates.
Both have a collar of microvilli for capturing food and a flagellum. It has been
thought that choanoflagellates gave rise to sponges. However, molecular studies
have confirmed the two groups are monophyletic, so neither is a descendant of the
other. Sponge choanocytes can differentiate to become sperm.
Historically, sponges have been considered the sister group to all other animals.
Recently some biologists have provided evidence which supports their belief that
jelly combs should occupy this position. However, the traditional view that spong-
es are the sister group is accepted by most biologists.
Figure 8. Surface of freshwater sponge. A, osculum; B,
ostium.
7
Importance of Freshwater Sponges
Freshwater sponges perform several important functions within the ecosystems
they occupy. Some of the functions carried out by freshwater sponges are: 1) as
filter feeders sponges actively and efficiently pump and clean large amounts of wa-
ter, 2) their pumping activity helps circulate the water surrounding them, especially
in lentic waters, 3) their pumping activity traps particulate and dissolved organic
matter thus they play an important role in the re-cycling of organic material 4) pro-
vide a living refuge for a wide array of organisms such as bacteria, algae, protists,
and larvae of caddisflies, spongillaflies and other organisms, 5) can have a symbi-
otic relationship with autotrophic microorganisms, which contributes to primary
production, 6) contribute to the formation of sediments by releasing spicules upon
their death and 7) serve as a link in the transfer of energy between, benthic, pelagic,
and terrestrial food webs. In addition, sponge spicules are used in human skin care
products, and in the production of ceramic products. Sponges and their microbial
symbionts are being investigated as sources for antimicrobial compounds.
Finding Freshwater Sponges:
Finding freshwater sponges is easy and fun. They are found in both lotic
(streams and rivers) and lentic (ponds and lakes) waters. Sponges can be found by
wading, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, or dredging. Look for freshwater
sponges on hard substrates (rocks, logs, bridge pilings, shells of mollusks, man-
made objects). The undersides of objects which can be lifted should be viewed.
Rarely are they found on soft substrates such as sand or mud. Size can vary from a
millimeter to over a meter in diameter.
Are Freshwater Sponges Endangered or Threatened?
No freshwater sponges are currently listed as endangered or threatened by the
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). This may be due to a lack of data. Un-
fortunately, for some species very little is known concerning their abundance and
distribution. Some such as Corvomeyenia carolinensis appears to have a very lim-
ited distribution, currently known from two ponds, the type locality in South Caroli-
na and from one in Connecticut. Others such as Corvospongilla becki are known
from a few widely separated locations. In Tennessee C. becki is known from a sin-
gle location. The lack of information needed for listing by the USFWS could con-
tribute to the extinction of some species.
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Checklist and Distribution Notes of Tennessee Freshwater Sponges
Any checklist should be considered a work in progress that represents the most
reliable information available at the time. Much remains to be learned concerning
Tennessee’s sponges. It is very likely additional species will be discovered. Distri-
bution information is lacking. Most of what we know concerning the distribution
of the freshwater sponges in Tennessee is the result of a single state-wide survey.
.
Potamolepidae:
Cherokeesia armata Copeland, Pronzato, Manconi, 2015: Currently known
only from Tennessee. Apparently locally common in Nolichucky and Hiwassee
Rivers. Also, collected from Buffalo, Red and Sequatchie Rivers
Spongillidae:
Corvospongilla becki Poirrier, 1978: Presently known from a single site on the
Duck River, within Henry Horton State Park, Marshall County.
Ephydatia fluviatilis (Linnaeus, 1759): Collected from the Holston River, Haw-
kins County, and Indian Creek (a tributary of the Powell River) in Claiborne
County.
Ephydatia mulleri (Lieberkuhn, 1855): Collected from Clear Creek of the
Emory River drainage in Morgan County and from the Elk River in Lincoln
County
Eunapius fragilis (Leidy, 1851): A very common and widely distributed species
in Tennessee. Collected from the Buffalo, Calfkiller, Clinch, Duck, East Fork
Obey, Elk, Harpeth, Holston, Nolichucky, Powell, Red, Sequatchie, and South
Fork Holston Rivers, and from Clear Creek and Daddy’s Creek of the Emery
River drainage.
Heteromeyenia latitenta (Potts, 1881): Collected only from the Pigeon River in
Cocke County, where it appears to be common. Until the finding in Tennessee
it had been reported only from the northeastern United States.
Heteromeyenia tubisperma (Potts, 1881): Collected from the Elk River, Giles
County; Richland Creek, Davidson County; Roaring River, Overton County;
and Wolf River, Pickett County.
Racekiela ryderi (Potts, 1882): Common in the Emory River drainage. Collect-
ed from Clear Creek Morgan County, Daddy’s Creek, Cumberland and Morgan
Counties; Obed River, Morgan County. Also collected from Hiwassee River,
Polk County.
9
Radiospongilla cerebellata (Bowerbank, 1863): This sponge in the United
States is an enigma. R. cerebellata is an oriental species but has reported from
Texas, Alabama, and now Tennessee. Manconi and Pronzato (2016) doubt that
this North American sponge is R. cerebellata. This sponge appears phenotypi-
cally to be R. cerebellata but could represent a new species. DNA analysis is
needed to clarify this situation. This sponge has been collected from eastern
Tennessee waters. Collected from French Broad River, Cocke County; Nol-
ichucky River, Green and Washington Counties; and Pigeon River, Cocke
County.
Radiospongilla crateriformis (Potts, 1882): This sponge is broadly distributed
across Tennessee. Collected from Abrams Creek, Blount County; Elk River,
Lincoln County; Mill Creek, Davidson County; Nolichucky River, Greene
County; and Sequatchie River, Marion County.
Spongilla lacustris (Linnaeus, 1759): A common and broadly distributed
sponge in Tennessee. Collected from Buffalo River, Lewis County; Cane
Creek, Van Buren County; Clear Creek, Morgan County; Cumberland River,
Davidson County; Duck River, Maury County; Little Sequatchie River, Marion
County; Mill Creek, Davidson County; New River, Scott County; Nolichucky
River Greene and Washington Counties; Piney Creek, Van Burren County;
Obed River, Cumberland County; Red River, Robertson County; Richland
Creek, Davidson County; and South Fork Holston River, Sullivan County.
Trochospongilla horrida (Weltner, 1893): A common and widely distributed
sponge in Tennessee. Collected from Abrams Creek, Blount County; Buffalo
River, Lewis County; Calfkiller River, White County; Clear Creek, Morgan
County; Clinch River, Hancock County; Collins River, Warren County; Cona-
suga River, Polk County; Cumberland River, Davidson River; Duck River Mar-
shall and Maury Counties; Elk River, Giles County; Harpeth River, Cheatham
County; Little Sequatchie River, Marion County; New River, Scott County;
Nolichucky River, Washington County; and Obed River, Cumberland County.
Trochospongilla leidii (Bowerbank, 1863): Current known distribution is lim-
ited to the Nashville Basin. Collected from Cumberland and Harpeth Rivers,
Davidson and Cheatham Counties.
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References:
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Copeland, J. E., J. A. Tussing, T. M. Jett, and S. Kunigelis. 2015a. Freshwater Po-
rifera of eastern Tennessee. J. TN Acad. of Sci., 90:23.
Copeland, J., R. Pronzato, and R. Manconi. 2015b. Discovery of living Potamolepi-
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Hoff, C. C. 1943. Some records of sponges, branchiobdellids, and molluscs from
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drobiologia, 782:11-22.
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Invertebrates. 4th Edition, Vol. 2. Academic Press, London, UK.
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Pisera, A., P. A. Siver, and A. P. Wolf. 2013. A first account of freshwater potamo-
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About the Cumberland Mountain Research Center
Named for the Cumberland Mountains in which Lincoln Memorial University
(LMU) was founded, the Cumberland Mountain Research Center (CMRC) was es-
tablished in 1990 on the LMU campus to foster a collaborative research environ-
ment among faculty and students as part of the larger science education mission of
the University, and to provide a broad range of research facilities, opportunities,
and resources to LMU faculty and student researchers. The original objective was
to take advantage of the unique ecology of southern Appalachia that surrounds the
Cumberland Gap region. Working with a variety of institutions and organizations,
including state and federal agencies, these efforts quickly expanded to include many
areas across the Southeastern United States, as well as westward into Arkansas.
Shortly after this time, the CMRC also began developing international opportunities
and it continues to provide and facilitate regional, national, and international re-
search and educational opportunities for LMU faculty and students to this day.
With a particular interest in conservation biology and ecology, the CMRC is
committed to enhancing research support to LMU faculty and students by facilitat-
ing the scholarship of discovery through high-quality research, creative activities,
and outreach initiatives. Central to this mission, the CMRC seeks research opportu-
nities, partnerships, and collaborations to foster strong research and outreach ef-
forts, as well as seek funding and resources necessary to facilitate these endeavors.
As a point of contact for all it’s stakeholders, partners, and collaborators, the
CMRC facilitates, as needed, project and research development, management, com-
munication, and dissemination of results while adhering to the highest ethical stand-
ards and professional best practices.
For additional information about the CMRC and its activities, please contact
the CMRC Director, LaRoy Brandt, via email at [email protected], the
LMU School of Math and Sciences, or the LMU Department of Biology. You can
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