Spongivore

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A spongivore is an organism that feeds primarily on animals of the Phylum Porifera, commonly called sea sponges.

[edit] Examples

The hawksbill turtle is one of the few animals known to feed primarily on sponges. It is the only known spongivorous reptile.[1] Sponges of various select species constitute up to 95% of the diets of Caribbean hawksbill turtle populations.[2]

Pomacanthus imperator, the emperor angelfish, is a known spongivorous coral reef fish.[3][4]

Certain species of Nudibranchs are known so feed selectively on specific species of sponges.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Species Booklet: Hawksbill sea turtle. Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information Service. Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries. Retrieved on February 6, 2007.
  2. ^ Meylan, Anne (1988-01-12). "Spongivory in Hawksbill Turtles: A Diet of Glass". Science 239 (4838): 393-395. Retrieved on 2007-02-15. 
  3. ^ Thacker, Robert W.; Mikel A. Becerro, Wilfred A. Lumbang, and Valerie J. Paula (1997-08-19). "Allelopathic interactions between sponges on a tropical reef". Ecology 79 (5): 1740-1750. Retrieved on 2007-02-16. 
  4. ^ Ferreira, C. E. L.; S. R. Floeter, J. L. Gasparini, B. P. Ferreira and J. C. Joyeux (2004). "Trophic structure patterns of Brazilian reef fishes: a latitudinal comparison". Journal of Biogeography 31 (7): 1093-1106. DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2699.2004.01044.x. Retrieved on 2007-02-16. 


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