Sponges on floating marine litter

Sponges on floating marine litter | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 9 July 2025 V1 Latest version Share on Sponges on floating marine litter Authors : Gabriel de Oliveira , Pedro Freire , Rodrigo Ribeiro , Luiz Gomes , and Alain Póvoa 0000-0001-8150-0442 [email protected] Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175207531.12150847/v1 277 views 185 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract This study aims to document the first occurrence of the sponge (Haliclona sp.) adhered to plastic in Brazil. This observation was made at Charitas Beach, located in Guanabara Bay (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), within its known distribution range in the Atlantic Ocean. However, anthropogenic activities might be expanding their distribution. A literature review of fouled marine litter by porifera revealed that studies in Brazil have not recorded sponges colonizing plastic, despite the high abundance of plastic from coastal to oceanic environments, suggesting their potential use for dispersal through rafting. Consequently, it is imperative to conduct monitoring programs on the presence of fouling organisms on marine litter, especially given the numerous introductions of non-native taxa observed in recent years. Sponges on floating marine litter Gabriel Martins de Oliveira¹, Pedro Lucas dos Santos Freire ¹, Rodrigo de Lima Ribeiro², Luiz Eduardo de Oliveira Gomes³, Alain Alves Póvoa 4* ¹ Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Instituto de Biociências, Avenida Pasteur, 458, Urca, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22.290-240, Brazil. ² Centro Universitário Fametro (FAMETRO), Avenida Constantino Nery, 3000, Chapada-AM, Manaus - AM, 69050-00, Brazil. ³ Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ocenografia Ambiental, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, entro de Ciencias Humanas e Naturais, Departamento de Oceanografia, 29075910 - Vitória, ES – Brazil. 4 Programa de Pós-Graduação em Dinâmica dos Oceanos e da Terra, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Niterói - RJ, 24210-346, Brazil. * Author correspondenting : [email protected] Abstract : This study aims to document the first occurrence of the sponge ( Haliclona sp.) adhered to plastic in Brazil. This observation was made at Charitas Beach, located in Guanabara Bay (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), within its known distribution range in the Atlantic Ocean. However, anthropogenic activities might be expanding their distribution. A literature review of fouled marine litter by porifera revealed that studies in Brazil have not recorded sponges colonizing plastic, despite the high abundance of plastic from coastal to oceanic environments, suggesting their potential use for dispersal through rafting. Consequently, it is imperative to conduct monitoring programs on the presence of fouling organisms on marine litter, especially given the numerous introductions of non-native taxa observed in recent years. Keywords: Marine litter, Rafting, Sandy beaches, Sponges. Introduction Marine litter in coastal environments is a significant global environmental issue, defined as any synthetic or processed material that is discarded or abandoned (Chesire, 2009; Asensio-Montesinos et al., 2020; De-la-Torre et al., 2023). These materials are highly persistent in the environment and can travel vast distances driven by currents and winds (Póvoa et al., 2021; De-la-Torre et al., 2023). A wide array of organisms, including algae, bryozoans, barnacles, sponges, hydrozoans, and mollusks, are known to colonize various types of marine litter (Póvoa et al., 2021; Mghili et al., 2022; De-la-Torre et al., 2023). These organisms can utilize the litter as vectors for dispersal across ocean basins through a process known as rafting (Carlton et al., 2017; Rech et al., 2018). The dispersal of benthic organisms via marine litter has been documented in all ocean basins globally (Póvoa et al., 2021; De-la-Torre et al., 2023). The success of rafting is influenced by specific characteristics such as suspension feeding, asexual reproduction, and broad environmental tolerance in the species (Murray et al., 2012; Kiessling et al., 2015; Mantelatto et al., 2020; Póvoa et al., 2021; De-la-Torre et al., 2023). Among these organisms, sponges, members of the phylum Porifera, are sessile metazoans with a distinctive water-transport system. Their bodies feature pores and chambers lined with flagellated cells known as choanocytes, along with a remarkable ability for cellular totipotency (Hooper et al., 2002; Van Soest et al., 2012; Copeland, 2020). As exclusively aquatic organisms, sponges generate currents with their flagellated cells to filter microscopic particles, classifying them as filter feeders (Van Soest et al., 2012; Copeland, 2020; Hooper et al., 2021). According to the World Porifera Database (WPD) within the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) initiative, the class Demospongiae exhibits the highest species richness, representing 83% of the phylum diversity. This class is predominantly found in tropical waters (Van Soest et al., 2012). Despite the global documentation of diverse organisms on marine litter, only five studies have reported the presence of sponges fouling on marine litter worldwide (Katsanevaskis et al., 2007; Elvin et al., 2018; Bataglia et al., 2019; Mancini et al., 2021; Santín et al., 2021). In Brazil, although extensive research has documented various fouled organisms on marine litter, including bivalves, algae, bryozoans, barnacles, polychaetes, and sun corals (Breves-Ramos & Skinner, 2014; Mantelatto et al., 2020; Farina & Kitahara, 2021; Póvoa et al., 2022), no studies have reported sponges fouling on marine litter. This study aims to fill this gap by documenting the first record of a sponge species (Haliclona sp.) adhered to plastic in Brazil. This observation was made at Charitas Beach, located in Guanabara Bay (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), an area within its known Atlantic distribution. The presence of sponges on plastic highlights the potential for dispersal through rafting and underscores the need for further research into the ecological implications of marine litter and the role of anthropogenic activities in the spread of marine organisms. Material and Methods This study employed a systematic review approach to assess peer-reviewed scientific articles fouled on ML over the past 45 years (1980–2025). A comprehensive literature search was conducted using four major academic databases: Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and PubMed. To ensure the retrieval of relevant studies, a combination of predefined search terms was used, including “marine litter,” “biofouling,” “sponges” (Póvoa et al., 2021; De-la-Torre et al., 2023). The titles and abstracts of each document were assessed according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The studies included were those only published in journals in the areas of Biological Sciences, Ecology, Oceanography and related areas. Excluded studies included editorials, book chapters, reviews, and those from unrelated fields (e.g., Computer Science, Social Sciences, Mathematics, Economics, and Business Management). The search resulted in 18 species found in 4 documents. This study records a sponge associated with floating marine litter in Brazil. The record sponge on marine litter in Brazil was made on August 2, 2023, at Charitas Beach (22°55’36.5”S; 43°55’1.0”W), located in the municipality of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, on a plastic bottle deposited on the strandline (Figure 1). Charitas Beach is situated in an area where marine litter accumulates from both local beachgoers and tidal deposition from Guanabara Bay. Notably, plastic is the most prevalent form of marine litter in Guanabara Bay, as reported in several studies (Baptista-Neto et al., 2011; Silva et al., 2016; Castro et al., 2020; Póvoa et al., 2025). Figure 1 - Map of study area. Despite the presence of other organisms, such as the invasive bivalve Perna viridis (Linnaeus, 1758) and polychaetes from the Serpulidae family, only the fouled sponge was photographed using a mobile device, specifically a Samsung Galaxy A53 model. The resulting image was then forwarded to a taxonomic specialist for identification. Results and Discussion A comprehensive literature review of fouled marine litter by sponges documented by a total of 18 species, distributed across 13 families. These species represent both the class Calcarea (6 species; 33.3%) and Demospongiae (12 species; 66.7%) (Figure 3). The presence of individuals colonizing different types of marine litter, such as plastic, is observed (Supplementary Material 1). Despite the family Chalinidae being represented by five genera (WoRMS, 2022). Haliclona was the only genus from this family described in association with marine litter. Figure 2 - Percentage distribution of sponge classes found in marine litter. Species from the orders Leucosolenida (family Grantiidae) and Haplosclerida (family Chalinidae) have been reported colonizing marine litter, including plastic, glass, and wood (Bispo et al., 2016; Fallon and Freman, 2021). The genus Haliclona , belonging to Chalinidae, stands out due to its high diversity and wide distribution on artificial substrates (De Weerdt, 2000; Bispo et al., 2016). This dominance may be linked to its ecological plasticity, regenerative capacity, and production of bioactive compounds with antibacterial potential (Elvin et al., 2018). Diverses organisms such as sponges can colonize a lot of marine litter and also increase the structural heterogeneity of the substrate, facilitating the recruitment of associated organisms (Póvoa et al., 2025). The taxonomic specialist confirmed the genus of the species as Haliclona sp. (Grant, 1841). Haliclona sp. (Grant, 1841) belongs to the class Demospongiae, order Haplosclerida, and family Chalinidae (WoRMS, 2022). This genus, along with its family Chalinidae, is notably diverse and occurs across all oceans. Haliclona sp. can be found in a wide range of depths, from shallow waters to the deepest oceanic regions (De Weerdt, 2002; Bispo et al., 2016). The genus is categorized into six subgenera, which are distinguished based on variations in skeletal architecture. These subgenera exhibit a range from unispicular reticulation to denser reticulation or paucispicular primary tracts (De Weerdt, 2000, 2002; Bispo et al., 2016). According to the World Porifera Database, there are 428 species within this genus, though only a few are recorded in Brazil (Van Soest et al., 2013; Bispo et al., 2016). Figure 3 - Record of fouled sponge Haliclona sp. in plastic bottle. On the Brazilian coast, the diversity of Haliclona sp. (Grant, 1841) is relatively low, with knowledge primarily derived from isolated studies and species lists (Mothes & Lerner, 1994; Muricy & Ribeiro, 1999; Cedro et al., 2007; Hajdu et al., 2011). The states of Santa Catarina and Bahia have the highest number of records, with four documented instances per state, followed by Alagoas with three records (Muricy et al., 2011). Elvin et al. (2018) in the Pacific Ocean, have identified Haliclona sp. (Grant, 1841) in marine litter likely transported from Japan to the United States following the 2011 tsunami. This event highlighted the potential of floating marine litter as a new vector for species dispersal, a concept that has gained attention in invasion biology (Carlton et al., 2017; Póvoa et al., 2021; De-la-Torre et al., 2023). Marine litter can remain afloat for extended periods and become colonized by various fouling species, with currents and winds potentially facilitating transoceanic dispersion (Kiessling et al., 2015). Fishing-related plastic waste, such as lines and hooks, can also serve as suitable substrates for sponges (Battisti et al., 2018). In comparison to other fouling organisms such as polychaetes, mollusks, and barnacles, sponges are found less frequently on marine litter (Póvoa et al., 2021; De-la-Torre et al., 2023). Póvoa et al. (2025) recorded the sponge Haliclona sp. on beaches of Guanabara Bay, but did not specify the exact beach where it was found. Furthermore, we highlight the urgence to integrate the evaluation of rafting biota with marine litter within long-term monitoring programs, a topic less investigated and largely neglected in ecological monitoring worldwide (see Brazilian example in Cordeiro et al., 2022). By this, it will be possible to identify the beginning and/or ongoing hidden invasions prior to their spread; a useful strategy to mitigate their potential damage to ecosystems, as well as to social and economic problems related to the invaded ecosystems (Póvoa et al., 2025). Ramalhosa et al. (2025) demonstrated the sponges fouled exclusively on seafloor marine litter items. This highlights the role of marine litter as a substrate for colonization and as a vector for a lot of organisms. 4. Conclusions This study provides a significant contribution to our understanding of marine biodiversity in Brazil by highlighting the presence of fouled organisms on marine litter. It underscores the importance of further research into the role of marine litter as potential vectors for species introduction through rafting. The findings have implications for developing management and mitigation strategies aimed at addressing the environmental impacts of marine litter accumulation on sandy beaches. Additionally, this research is pivotal for informing conservation efforts and enhancing the preservation of marine biodiversity. Credit authorship contribution statement Gabriel Martins de Oliveira: Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Visualization, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing. Pedro Lucas dos Santos Freire: Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Visualization, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing. Rodrigo de Lima Ribeiro: Investigation, Methodology, Writing - original draft Writing - review & editing. Luiz Eduardo de Oliveira Gomes: Supervision, Validation, Visualization, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing. Alain Alves Póvoa: Supervision, Validation, Visualization, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing. Declaration of competing interest: They declare that they have no know competing financial interest or personal relationships that they could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. Acknowledgments: We gratefully specialist for his invaluable assistance in identifying the fouled sponge from the photographic records. We also extend our thanks to Antonio Jailson de Sousa Rodrigues (UNIRIO) for his insightful suggestions during the manuscript review. 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Keywords community ecology description ecological experiment ecosystem freshwater invertebrate marine natural history Authors Affiliations Gabriel de Oliveira Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro View all articles by this author Pedro Freire UNIRIO View all articles by this author Rodrigo Ribeiro Centro Universitário Fametro (FAMETRO), Avenida Constantino Nery, 3000, Chapada-AM, Manaus - AM, 69050-00, Brazil. View all articles by this author Luiz Gomes Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo View all articles by this author Alain Póvoa 0000-0001-8150-0442 [email protected] Federal Fluminense University View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 277 views 185 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Gabriel de Oliveira, Pedro Freire, Rodrigo Ribeiro, et al. Sponges on floating marine litter. Authorea . 09 July 2025. 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