Abstract

The demosponge Tethya citrina Sarà & Melone was subjected to long-term aquarium farming, considering that several spe- cies belonging to this genus are a rich source of useful bioactive compounds, and in particular interesting bioactive proteins. The rearing method in the present research was mainly based on applying parameters taken from the current literature. The biological activity of the sponge was assessed in terms of survival and growth over time, status of ltering apparatus, and protein banding pro les. Farmed sponges showed a high survival rate and marked reduction in size. In addition, they were frequently affected by massive production of asexual buds. Histological and ultrastructural observations showed a gradual disorganization of the sponge choanocyte chambers, with a drastic reduction in choanocytes and a progressive increase in spherulous cells. Comparative electro- phoretic analysis of the protein pro les of wild and reared specimens showed differences in protein composition and abundance between the tested groups. Such data are consistent with the increase in spherulous cells whose content was markedly electron- dense, a feature stressing the proteinaceous nature of these inclusions. Experimental tank-rearing of Tethya provided promising responses in terms of high survival rate of the species and easy reproduction, though the rearing protocol used led to profound morpho-functional changes in the sponge. This con rms the inadequate state of knowledge on farming techniques for this taxon, while also highlighting potential applications in biotechnology of ex situ breeding techniques, in order to modify the sponges’ biological responses.

Autore Pugliese

• Nonnis Marzano Carlotta , Corriero Giuseppe , Liuzzi Grazia Maria

Tutti gli autori

• NONNIS MARZANO C.;CORRIERO G.;LIUZZI G.M.

Titolo volume/Rivista

Non Disponibile

Anno di pubblicazione

2015

ISSN

1108-393X

ISBN

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Wos

Nessuna citazione

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Scopus

4

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

Non Disponibile

Settori ERC

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Codici ASJC

Non Disponibile