Study of the life history characteristics of the common Red Sea sponge
Mycale fistulifera (Poecilosclerida: Demospongiae) reveals several tr
aits which may categorize it as an opportunistic species: (1) at least
part of the population is reproductively active throughout the year,
providing a continuous supply of larvae for settlement; (2) sponges ma
y produce and release a large number (152+/-39 larvae d(-1)) of broode
d larvae; (3) released larvae are capable of fast settlement and metam
orphosis (minutes to 30 hours post-release); (4) the turnover of the p
opulation is high and population size varies with time. From 48 initia
l sponges plus 94 recruits, only 25 remained alive after 14 months of
observation; (5) most members of the population (> 70%) have a small b
ody size (< 30 cm(2)); (6) sexual maturity may occur at an early age.
These traits facilitate continuous establishment of M. fistulifera in
new spaces on the reef; (7) M. fistulifera, preferred substrate is ano
ther opportunistic species, the coral Stylophora pistillata which it o
vergrows.