Larval Plate Settlement Study
In 2017, members from MLSS and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) collaborated in an effort to investigate invertebrate settlement and diversity on a glass sponge reef.
Glass sponge reefs are incredibly unique organisms that support a wide diversity of life. However, as noted by the authors “biodiversity associated with sponge reefs has largely been assessed using remote video methods that allow us to describe large fauna associated with the reefs. However, small organisms are typically missed, resulting in an underestimate of reef-associated biodiversity”. The fact that glass sponge reefs located within Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound exist within recreational dive limits, provided researchers with the opportunity to fill this knowledge gap using diver-installed settlement plates.
During this study two trees, containing 8 settlement plates each, were installed for a total of ~13 months at the Halkett Point glass sponge reef. Analysis of the plates after retrieval identified 70 taxa which had settled on the plates and included 2 phyla which had not previously been associated with sponge reefs!
Not only did this study provide a better understanding of glass sponge reefs and their associated biodiversity, it was also an important step in the conservation of these organisms and the ecosystems they support.
While this study did not find any glass sponge larval settlers, this is informative in itself and was an important step towards our understanding of glass sponge recruitment. MLSS hopes to continue this research using different plate materials, shapes, placements, and timing to better understand glass sponge reproduction and settlement requirements. Eventually it is hoped that this research will better inform management efforts and lead to outplanting and restoration efforts on damaged reefs
Read more about this study here: Invertebrate settlement and diversity on a glass sponge reef by Stephanie K. Archer, Glen Dennison, Lora Tryon, Sheila Byers and Anya Dunham. Canadian Field-Naturalist 134(1): 1-15
