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January 2020





1st Red List Assessment of Mediterranean SPONGES in preparation
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Sponges are one of the major components of littoral ecosystems and play an important role in structuring habitats in deep waters. Additionally, the morphology and structure of many species within this taxonomic group allows the creation of microhabitats that host a rich and diverse community of marine fauna and flora.

About 8000 species are currently described worldwide and approximately 700 occur in the Mediterranean. Mediterranean sponges are characterized by a high level of endemism, rare or restricted distributed species, and species that have suffered important regressions mostly due to epidemic diseases and overharvesting.

The goal of this first workshop - promoted by IUCN-Med - was to prepare with experts the Red List Assessment for approximately 80 species of sponges occurring in the Mediterranean Sea, so as to assign them to a Red List category. The event was inaugurated by Dr. Constantinos C. Mylonas, Director of Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture in Greece (HCMR, in its Greek acronym).

The Red List Assessment of Mediterranean Poriferans, commonly referred to as sponges. The main target species were those included within the Keratosa subclass and Hexactinellida class, together with all the carnivorous species (Cladorhizidae family). Prior to its official publication on IUCN’s Red List website, the assessments for each of these taxa will undergo a final revision process.

This will be the first time that animals from the Phyllum Porifera are assessed for the Red List of Threatened Species. The assessment also includes the evaluation of commercial sponges. Given the high endemism in this Group, Mediterranean sponges represent an important pool of the marine global biodiversity. As a result, the assessment could help evaluate sponges in other parts of the world.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species measures the change of global diversity and acts to conserve that biodiversity through assessments of individual species and identifying and carrying out actions to address concerns. Species assessments evaluate the chances of extinction in the foreseeable future based on past and expected future trends. They help to prioritize where action is most urgently needed and also to identify the major threats.

For further information: María del Mar Otero


Image: © TÜDAV

More information on IUCN-Med website
IUCN-Med | Marine Programme
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