Reproductive strategies of Mycale contarenii (Porifera: Demospongiae)

The sexual and asexual phases of the reproductive cycle of the sponge Mycale contarenii (:Martens, 1824) were studied from samples collected over a period of 2 years (June 1994 to May 1996) in a Mediterranean coastal basin (Porto Cesareo, southwestern Apulia). The species is viviparous; year round it shows a discontinuous oocyte production. No males were found, possibly owing to the very short period of spermatogenesis. M. contarenii produces asexual buds during autumn and winter, and this process seems to be related to changes in water temperature. Even though, at present, vie cannot evaluate the incidence of larval recruitment, we postulate that asexual reproduction in M. contarenii plays a crucial role in maintaining the sponge population.