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Observations on littoral sponges, including the supposed swarming of larvae, movement and coalescence in mature individuals, longevity and death
Author(s) -
Burton Maurice
Publication year - 1949
Publication title -
proceedings of the zoological society of london
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0370-2774
DOI - 10.1111/j.1096-3642.1949.tb00409.x
Subject(s) - longevity , swarming (honey bee) , biology , ecology , predation , coalescence (physics) , larva , zoology , astrobiology , genetics
Summary.1 The pattern in early growths of encrusting sponges suggests a grouping consistent with the swarming and simultaneous settlement of the larvae. 2 Post‐larval sponges tend to move about and, as they come into contact with each other, coalesce. 3 This movement, accompanied or not by coalescence, appears to be continued throughout the early part of life and may persist throughout. 4 In the later stages special growth forms include the production of blunt processes, slender branches or plasmodia, which may lead either to coalescence or to the formation of new individuals. 5 Several new individuals may be formed from a pre‐existing individual by disintegration due to desiccation, predators or wave action. 6 A new definition of the word “individual” is proposed, with special reference to sponges. 7 Notes are included on longevity, senescence and death.