Sponge-tastic Survey

Thirteen of the UK’s 30 newly discovered species of sea sponge have been found in Welsh waters.

one of the research diving groups at work of the Pembrokeshire coast. Photo Courtesy of: National Museums Northern Ireland

Homaxinella subdola - sea sponge. Photo Courtesy of: National Museums Northern Ireland

The focus of the search in Wales was Skomer Marine Nature Reserve and the north Pembrokeshire coast, which are known to be sponge havens. A total of 132 species were found here.

Led by researchers from National Museums Northern Ireland, this ambitious three year survey of the UK’s sea sponges was completed in June 2011. The scientists studied sponges from Wales, Scotland, the Isles of Scilly and the Channel Islands by scuba diving and taking in-situ photographs of specimens before collecting samples.

As well as the new species found, 17 rare species of sponge were recorded in UK waters. Wales seems to be the northern limit for several sponge species including Homaxinella subdola – a conspicuous branching species which is common in Pembrokeshire.

Marine biologist Dr Claire Goodwin who works for the National Museums Northern Ireland's Department of Natural Sciences said: “By diving, we were able to sample bedrock habitats and encrusting species which have been overlooked to date. This might be one reason for the large number of new species discovered.”

The Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) manages Skomer Marine Nature Reserve and Phil Newman, Senior Manager said: “We regularly survey and monitor marine life within the reserve, but it was great to be part of a UK survey of sea sponges. The information gathered shows that there is still so much to discover and learn about our seas. The data provides us with a good baseline for future studies.”

During the study, 218 dives were made. The scientists collected a total of 2,027 sponge specimens, representing 166 species.

The project was funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Scottish Natural Heritage and Countryside Council for Wales.

Ends.

For more information about CCW’s work contact Press Officers; Brân Devey on 02920 772 403 / 077477767443 or Helen Evans on 07717225589.
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For more information about the project contact: Andrea Clements andrea.clements@jprni.com or Chloe Elliott chloe.elliott@jprni.com on 028 9076 0066.

NOTES TO EDITORS

• Sponges are aquatic animals which feed by filtering particles from the water. They play a key role in the marine environment as they concentrate the energy in these tiny particles and make them accessible to higher predators. They have tissues made of a protein called spongin and a skeleton of microscopic glass-like structures called spicules. They occur in cold waters as well as the tropics – there are around 8,000 species known worldwide but only 400 of these have been recorded in the UK and Ireland.
• National Museums Northern Ireland comprises four unique sites; Ulster Museum, Ulster Folk & Transport Museum, Ulster American Folk Park and Armagh County Museum. Through these sites NMNI cares for and presents inspirational collections that reflect the creativity, innovation, history, culture and people of Northern

The Countryside Council for Wales is a Welsh Government Sponsored Body, working for a better Wales where everyone values and cares for our natural environment. More information about our work is available on www.ccw.gov.uk