Azzini, F.; Calcinai, B.; Cerrano, C.; Bavestrello, G.; Pansini, M. (2007). Sponges of the marine karst lakes and of the coast of the islands of Ha Long Bay (North Vietnam). In: Custódio MR, Lôbo-Hajdu G, Hajdu E, Muricy G (eds) Porifera Research. Biodiversity, Innovation and Sustainability. Livros de Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro. 28: 157-164.

283141

Azzini, F.; Calcinai, B.; Cerrano, C.; Bavestrello, G.; Pansini, M.

2007

28: 157-164

Publication

Proceedings of the 7th International Sponge Conference, Buzios May 2006

Available for editors   [request]

The purpose of this paper is to describe the sponge assemblages of the marine karst lakes and some coastal sites in the islands of Ha Long Bay (Vietnam). These lakes are very shallow basins with a bottom covered by mud and vegetable debris. Patches of mangroves were seldom observed, while isolated colonies of massive corals are frequently found. Some lakes show a connection with the surrounding sea, evidenced by the flow of tidal streams; others are apparently closed but connected to the sea through the cavities of the karst system. The coast of Ha Long Bay islands are characterized by shallow depth, murky waters, patchy and low diversity reefs, and very low water-movement. A total of 63 demosponge species were identified: 46 species were recorded in the marine lakes, while 23 of them were never found outside the lakes. Extreme variations in environmental conditions occur yearly in the lakes, due to heavy monsoon rains that cause a stratification of the water column. A thermal crisis was recorded at the end of the summer in the Hang Du I lake, with bottom temperatures as high as 36 °C. Sponges can withstand these conditions but undergo important rearrangements, with a late summer degeneration followed by a very quick fall and winter growth.

South China Sea

Anchihaline

Porifera

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