García Hernández, Jaaziel E.

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    Diversity of calcareous sponges (subclass Calcinea) from Puerto Rico: genetic and morphological evidence
    (2017) García Hernández, Jaaziel E.; Alfaro Lozano, Mónica; College of Arts and Sciences - Sciences; Schizas, Nikolaos V.; Cafaro, Matías J.; Department of Biology; Figueroa Robles, Iris A.
    The first findings of Puerto Rican calcareous sponges are presented in this Thesis. We analyzed the calcareous (subclass Calcinea) sponge diversity of Puerto Rico and an integrative molecular and morphological approach was used for the taxonomic identification of every sample. A total of 273 specimens of calcareous sponges were collected from 2013 through 2017 from 25 localities. Our phylogenetic results reveled a total of 20 different species of calcareous sponges, all belonging to the subclass Calcinea. This study is reporting a total of 17 new species of calcareous sponges, with only three species being previously described: Clathrina aurea, Leucetta floridana, and Nicola tetela. The calcareous sponge Nicola tetela is also a new distribution record since it was previously reported only from Brazil and Curacao. Our phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that all sponges identified as Leucetta floridana formed a strongly supported monophyletic group (Pp=1). Within the genus Clathrina, the morphologically defined species C. aurea, C. sp 1, C. sp. 4, C. sp. 5, and C. sp 6 are monophyletic. Our specimens from the genera Nicola, Arthuria, and Ernstia formed strongly supported monophyletic groups with other publicly available sequences identified as Nicola, Arthuria, and Ernstia, respectively. Notable exception was the genus Borojevia, which is depicted as a polyphyletic group.
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    The ecological importance of marine sponges inhabiting Puerto Rican shallow & mesophotic coral reef ecosystems
    (2024-04-09) García Hernández, Jaaziel E.; Schizas, Nikolaos V.; College of Arts and Sciences - Sciences; Alfaro Lozano, Mónica; Weil Machado, Ernesto F.; Armstrong Pacheco, Roy A.; Department of Marine Sciences; Saavedra Lugo, Janitza
    This research consists primarily of four studies that investigate the ecological and functional roles that marine sponges play in supporting biodiversity and maintaining reef resilience across shallow (<30 m depth) and mesophotic (>30 m depth) coral reef ecosystems (MCEs). Findings from the Guánica Biosphere Reserve shelf edge show distinct benthic assemblages of sponge species. Shallow surveys yielded a higher species richness than mesophotic, with 60 and 54 species respectively, and an overall total of 71 species identified from both depths, with 45 species overlapping (63.0%). The study of infaunal communities within the sciophilous calcareous sponge Clathrina lutea revealed a rich diversity of associated fauna, emphasizing the ecological significance of these small sponges as habitat and/or as a refuge for undescribed macrofauna. At least four disease-like conditions affecting the giant barrel sponge, Xestospongia muta, within shallow and mesophotic coral reefs in Puerto Rico were observed and described. These conditions, including the description of an emerging disease, Xestospongia-Tissue Hardening Condition (X-THC), threaten the overall health of the Xestospongia species complex, the sponge community, and their associated fauna. Evidence supporting the hypothesis that X. muta functions as a micro-oasis for biodiversity confirms its critical ecological role as an ecosystem foundational species. By introducing the framework OA2SIS: Oscillators, Attractors, and Amplifiers of Symbiotic Interactions between Species, highlights X. muta’s evolutionary and ecological significance in coral reef ecosystems, as potential facilitators of symbiotic interactions. Combined, these results solidify the ecological and evolutionary importance of marine sponges within coral reefs, their protection and conservation should be a high priority for coral reef and coastal managers.