CONTENTS 



Page 



Introduction 1 



The commercial sponges 2 



Sponge species 2 



Wool sponge (Hippiospongia lachne de Laubenfels 1936) 2 



Yellow sponge (Spongio barbara Duchassaing and Michelotti 1864) 4 



Anclote yellow sponge ( Sporagja anclotea de Laubenfels and Storr 1958) 4 



Key grass sponge (Spongia graminea Hyatt 1877) 4 



Gulf grass sponge (Spongta graminea tampa de Laubenfels and Storr 1958) 5 



Finger sponge {Axinella polycapella de Laubenfels 1953) 5 



Glove sponge (SpoTigta cheins de Laubenfels and Storr 1958) 5 



Other commercial sponge species 5 



Sponge fibers 5 



Sponge grading 6 



Reproduction of sponges 8 



Process of reproduction 8 



Relationship between sponge concentration and larval production 10 



Potential larval production related to volume of sponge 12 



Optimum temperatures for larval production 12 



Temperature and size at maturation 14 



Growth of sponges 15 



Method of determining growth 15 



Yearly growth factor 17 



Growth formula 18 



Life span 18 



Healing and growth of cut surfaces 19 



Cultivation of sponges 19 



Sponge cultivation in the Bahamas 20 



Advantages and disadvantages for cultivation 20 



Distribution 23 



Determination of distribution 23 



Concentration of sponges and extent of sponging area 23 



Distribution in diving and hooking depths 27 



Causes of short-term variations in landings , 27 



Factors affecting dispersion 28 



Calculated rate of dispersion 30 



Structure of the ocean bottom in sponging areas 30 



Bottom slope and sediment zones 30 



The sponging bars 31 



Sponging bars in relation to surrounding bottom 33 



Sediment distribution across the bar 33 



Ecological relationships 35 



Salinity tolerances of sponges 35 



Temperature 36 



Effect of water currents on sponges 37 



Competition for space 39 



Animals and plants associated with wool sponges 39 



Total sponge species and their distribution 40 



Sponging grounds and zones 44 



Depth zones 45 



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