Abundance and size of the sponge, Coscinoderma matthewsi, in central Torres Strait (MTSRF Project 1.3.2)
In March 2007, November 2007 and May 2008, between 6 and 11 sites were surveyed on the coral reefs at Keats Island and Yorke Islands (Masig Island and Kodall Island), in central Torres Strait, to determine the abundance and size frequency patterns of Coscinoderma matthewsi. Sites were located at least 1 km apart and at each site, surveys were conducted at both shallow (4-6 m) and deep (10-12 m) depths, with the former generally on the reef flat. Three 20 x 1 m transects were examined at each depth, with transects separated by at least 20 m to retain independence. For each transect, divers recorded every Coscinoderma matthewsi found within 1 m of one side of the transect line. For each transect, environmental factors such as the degree of reef slope and the percentage of dead coral rubble, sand and consolidated limestone rock, free of living organisms were estimated. For each sponge, the substrate type that it was attached to and growing on was recorded. The habitat in which each sponge was growing was also classified as either exposed (living in an exposed microhabitat, such as on top of rock fully exposed to the ambient water flow) or sheltered (in a sheltered microhabitat, such as under an overhang or protected between surrounding rocks). Sponges were also examined for signs of disease.To examine size frequency distributions patterns, the greatest length, width and height of every Coscinoderma matthewsi was measured with a ruler. For graphical interpretation, sponges were grouped into 2 cm size classes. Some individuals of Coscinoderma matthewsi in Torres Strait have a palmate morphology, where large lobes project upwards from the main sponge base. For each measured sponge, the number of lobes were counted and recorded.\n This research was undertaken to gather further information on the abundance, size frequency patterns and preferred habitat of Coscinoderma matthewsi on the reefs around Keats Island, Masig Island and Kodall Island, where previous surveys indicated that Coscinoderma matthewsi was most abundant. The results of these surveys were compared with previous surveys undertaken under the CRC-TS Project in July 2004, December 2005 and November 2006, to determine whether the abundance of Coscinoderma matthewsi varies around Masig Island over time.\n Keats, Kodall and Masig are sand cays, low-lying (<10 m in height) and small in size (<5 km²). Coral reef surrounds all islands, with broken reef connecting Kodall and Masig. The coral reef slope generally starts at a depth of 6 m (MLW) and stops on sand at 15 m, descending at an angle ranging from 20 to 60°. South-easterly trade winds (15-20 knots) are common from April to December, while monsoonal weather patterns with more northerly winds dominate during summer.\n
Simple
Identification info
- Date (Revision)
- 2022-11-21T00:00:00
- Website
- AIMS Web Site
- Website
- AIMS Web Site
- Credit
- Duckworth, Alan, Dr (Custodian)
- Status
- On going
Point of contact
Data Manager, AIMS Data CentreAustralian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)
- Temporal resolution
-
P1Y0M0DT0H0M0S
- Topic category
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- Oceans
Extent
Extent
- Description
- Keats Island
Extent
Extent
- Description
- Kodall Island
Extent
Extent
- Description
- Masig Island
Extent
Extent
- Description
- Collective resources start and end dates
Temporal extent
- Time position
- 2007-02-26
- Time position
- 2008-06-06
- Maintenance and update frequency
- Not planned
Resource constraints
- Linkage
-
http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc/3.0/au/88x31.png
License Graphic
- Title
- Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Australia License
- Website
-
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/au/
License Text
- Other constraints
- Use Limitation: All AIMS data, products and services are provided "as is" and AIMS does not warrant their fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. While AIMS has made every reasonable effort to ensure high quality of the data, products and services, to the extent permitted by law the data, products and services are provided without any warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, including without limitation any implied warranties of title, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. AIMS make no representation or warranty that the data, products and services are accurate, complete, reliable or current. To the extent permitted by law, AIMS exclude all liability to any person arising directly or indirectly from the use of the data, products and services.
- Other constraints
- Attribution: Format for citation of metadata sourced from Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) in a list of reference is as follows: "Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). (2009). Abundance and size of the sponge, Coscinoderma matthewsi, in central Torres Strait (MTSRF Project 1.3.2), https://apps.aims.gov.au/metadata/view/53d5fcfd-5872-4443-b720-1d2c4295f8e7, accessed[date-of-access]".
- Other constraints
- Resource Usage: \n Use of the AIMS data is for not-for-profit applications only. All other users shall seek permission for use by contacting AIMS. Acknowledgements as prescribed must be clearly set out in the user's formal communications or publications.\n
- Language
- English
- Character encoding
- UTF8
Content Information
- Content type
- Physical measurement
Distribution Information
Distributor
Distributor
AIMS Data CentreAustralian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)
- OnLine resource
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Ecological role and potential value of sponges to Torres Strait. Annual Report to the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility: Duckworth AR and Wolff CWW (2008) Ecological role and potential value of sponges to Torres Strait. Annual Report to the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility. Reef and Rainforest Research Centre and Australian Institute of Marine Science. 49 p.
Ecological role and potential value of sponges to Torres Strait. Annual Report to the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility: Duckworth AR and Wolff CWW (2008) Ecological role and potential value of sponges to Torres Strait. Annual Report to the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility. Reef and Rainforest Research Centre and Australian Institute of Marine Science. 49 p.
- OnLine resource
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Ecological role and potential value of sponges to Torres Strait: Duckworth AR, Wolff CWW, Cobb RE and Webster NS (2007) Ecological role and potential value of sponges to Torres Strait. Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility. 59 p.
Ecological role and potential value of sponges to Torres Strait: Duckworth AR, Wolff CWW, Cobb RE and Webster NS (2007) Ecological role and potential value of sponges to Torres Strait. Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility. 59 p.
- OnLine resource
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Map
Map
- OnLine resource
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MTSRF Project 1.3.2
MTSRF Project 1.3.2
Resource lineage
- Statement
- Statement: Substrate types on which sponges were attached:Three types were identified: rock; rubble; and sand, with grain size ranging from 0.5-2 mm. These three substrate types vary in their level of stability for sponge attachment and growth, with rock providing a secure immobile base for sponges, while sand being easily moved by water currents is a relatively insecure and fluid substrate for attachment. Rubble provides an intermediate level of stability; a separate study at Masig has found that rubble pieces (with a sponge attached) can move several meters between monitoring events (3 months), at times causing the sponge to become partially buried by rubble or sand. \n
- Hierarchy level
- Dataset
- Maintenance and update frequency
- As needed
Metadata
- Metadata identifier
- urn:uuid/53d5fcfd-5872-4443-b720-1d2c4295f8e7
- Language
- English
- Character encoding
- UTF8
Type of resource
- Resource scope
- Dataset
- Metadata linkage
-
Point of truth URL of this metadata record
Point of truth URL of this metadata record
- Date info (Creation)
- 2009-11-10T00:00:00
- Date info (Revision)
- 2022-11-21T14:00:06
Metadata standard
- Title
- ISO 19115-3:2018