Comparative functional morphology and hydrodynamics of sponge aquiferous systems.

• Applicant: Dr. Jörg Hammel
• Subject Area: Systematics and Morphology (Zoology)
• Term: from 2012 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 207169235

This project will address functional morphological aspects of sponge aquiferous systems in an integrative and comparative approach. Sponge leucon-type canal systems show a higher complexity of architectural patterns than previously assumed. In this context the present model of flow in sponges is regarded to be to simplified. As sponges are sessile filter feeding organisms all major physiological processes are dependent of the water processed within the canal system. Most of these processes are diffusion limited (e.g. oxygen transport). Therefore, a interdependence of specific canal system architectural patterns and growth form in sponges is expected. By means of analyzing morphometric parameters, the interdependence of canal system architecture and sponge growth form will be studied. In combining morphological data, experimentally determined flow velocity data and computational fluid dynamic results, the present theoretical standard model of flow in sponges will be refined and expanded to fit our deeper knowledge on the higher complexity of canal system architectures. Following a modeling approach the project will bring forth information on the distribution of nutrients and gas in sponges. The overall resulting expanded knowledge on sponge canal system functional morphology will lead to a deeper understanding of sponge physiology in general and thus support still ongoing efforts to establish sponge cultivation methods which are an important prerequisite for marine biotechnology and applied natural product research on sponges.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants