The sponge Zygomycale parishii (Bowerbank) and its endobiotic fauna

The endobiotic fauna of the sponge Zygomycale parishii (Bowerbank) was studied for 2.5 years at two sites, Ubatuba and Sao Sebastiao, on the northern coast of the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Ninety-two macrofaunal species (over 1 mm long) were identified among which Cnidaria, Turbellaria, Nemertinea, Sipuncula, Polychaeta, Mollusca, Crustacea, Pycnogonida, Echinodermata, Ascidiacea and Pisces were represented. The results obtained on the number of species (species richness), the abundances of different species and faunal composition were related to the physico-biotic characteristics of the study sites. The influence of sample volume and other methodological artifacts on sample characteristics were also examined. The ophiuroid Ophiactis savignyi (Muller & Troschell) was the dominant endobiotic species, comprising 64% of all individuals collected. The Sao Sebastiao endobiotic fauna was more diversified than the Ubatuba endobiotic fauna, possibly due to higher larval recruitment, and to the closeness of Z. parishii to the sea-floor providing a greater possibility for inhabitants of this microhabitat to find and to live inside the sponge. (C) 1996 Academic Press Limited