Citation: Morrow, C.C., Picton, B.E., Sides, E.M., Emblow, C.S. & Costello, M.J. 1995 The role of sponge taxonomy in the classification and conservation of marine biotopes. Biology & Environment, Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 95B: 123-168
Number of Pages: 46
Volume Part: 2
Keywords: Benthos, Community, Cork, Donegal, Fauna, Habitat, Lough Hyne, Marine, Marine Inlet, Porifera, Rock, Sponge, Sublittoral, Survey, Taxonomy
Abstract: Abstract only. As part of a survey of marine habitats and species around the Irish coast, sponge assemblages of different habitats are being investigated. An assemblage which contains several undescribed species of Polymastiidae has been found on horizontal bedrock in Donegal Bay and Lough Hyne. An aim of the survey is to develop a classification of benthic marine biotopes for conservation management. Current analyses only differentiate between biotopes using described taxa. It is pointed out that Polymastiidae species need to be identified and described as a first step towards collecting information on their distribution and assessing their conservation importance.