Sponge Zoanthids

Are coral zoanthid polyps harmful to sponges?

Divers have long been told that sponge proliferation is a sign of  reef  decline.  Most of us enjoy seeing the beautiful colors & textures of sponges on the reef and revel in the critters that hide within them.  But what happens when sponges are on corals or vice versa?

While diving in the Caymans recently, many of us commented  on the beautiful and unusually vibrant colors of the sponges there. The sponges are prevalent and quite large in many dive sites.  They make great hiding places for sea creatures. And great diver portraits. (wink)...

While taking macro photos of a beautiful pink Vase Sponge, I noticed yellow polyps between the sponge matrix (see title photo).  This was something new for me, and you know how one thing leads to another? 
First, I needed to refresh my knowledge about these animals.

Corals vs Sponges

Sponges are totally separate from corals as animals.  Corals are in the Phylum Cnidaria, and Sponges are in Porifera.

Corals are actually individual animals (polyps) that resemble an anemone, living together in colonies. They are multi-cellular and fairly complex.  They have stinging nematocysts that can catch & eat fish and plankton.  But they also produce energy through specialized algae cells (zooxanthellae) via photosynthesis. As such they also need light to survive. When stressed, coral animals will eject their algae cells…and die.

Sponges do not have distinct digestive or circulatory organs.  They are filter feeders, their bodies are shaped to maximize water flow - they absorb nutrients as water passes through their jelly like central mesohyl cells. They are totally reliant on water circulation to deliver their nutrients and take away waste - and do an important job on the reef of cleansing nitrogens from the water.

So far, so good.  Now, how do they work together or do they?

Corals need sponges. But not too many.  

At our dive club meetings we’ve learned about sponges’ roles absorbing nitrogen on the reef (“Fish Pee in the Sea”). Sponges are a food source for angelfish. Another marine biologist presented his findings on how reefs with few angelfish are symptomatic of coral reef decline - eg. when angelfish are harvested, sponges proliferate, and displace corals.  Many of us have heard that too many sponges are bad news for coral.

But sponges also play a role in helping Corals - by underpinning coral structures which helps protect the coral colony (see photo left).

Can coral can grow on sponges?

Yes!  What I found on that Vase Sponge were polyps of a specific type of coral called Umimayanthus parasiticus.  (See macro below).

An ominous name, that implies parasitic behavior.  But is it?
This coral polyp is found in the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Bermuda, Bahamas between 25 - 9o feet. It grows only on certain host sponges, such as the Vase Sponge, the Burrowing Sponge and Stinker Sponge (Spheciospongia), & Cliona sponges. The polyps attach themselves between the sponge matrixes and they benefit from the flow of water through the sponge.  

As they multiply (via spawning which happens generally in September on a full moon) - it seems reasonable that they might inhibit the flow of water that both the polyp and the sponge need.  But scientists recently are studying this animal in more depth and some are finding that both animals seem to thrive - implying some kind of mutualistic benefit.

So next time you see a Vase or Stinker Sponge in the Caribbean - slow down and check it out!  By diving slowly and being observant, we might learn something new or even find solutions to reef decline sitting right in front of us.

Our blogs & photo essays about Scuba Diving, travel, nature and this amazing planet above & below the sea….

Amazing Blue Mud Wasps, Carnivorous Plants & Sci-Fiction

I was looking for butterflies. Honestly. Anyway, I found wasps. Hundreds of wasps & bees in all shapes, sizes and colors.  Truly a type of pollinator heaven of a garden.  But this garden has many surprises including a poison garden - and a native Carolina bog garden.

Enter the weird bug-eating plants...

NC native Pitcher plants lure bugs in with smell, but then slip down & can't get out.  They're drowned & digested by the plant. (These inspired “Sidney” in Little Shop of Horrors)

Wicked looking Blue Mud Wasps flew among the plants. Good for a nice macro challenge.  Snap! Snap!  Fortunately, they are not particularly aggressive.  Not that I knew this at the time. (BTW I am allergic to bee stings.) But I digress.

This is where it gets weird…

I’ve seen wasps hunting on my anise plants before.  In late summer they are hunting (er, pollinating) a lot to feed their larvae. For the Blue Mud Wasp - this is usually a (stolen) nest from another type of mud dauber or carpenter bee - that’s then packed with yummy things for the larvae to eat like…black widow spiders.  Yep - it’s their favorite snack.

Some of the wasps were poking their heads into the plants. Presumably to steal bugs?  Seemed risky!

But instead of stealing bugs...they were licking the scilla (hairs) on the plants.  Whaaaa??

Two days before, I noticed a wasp drinking nectar. Looked it up.  Turns out (Google is your friend), wasps do sip nectar - quick energy during nesting season.  So is this what the wasps are doing?

But - How do they avoid falling prey to the slick sides of pitcher plant?

Answer: They have developed a hilariously funny method of stealing food from a pitcher plant.

They cross their little back legs over the ledge and go butt-end up.

By now I’m watching with some fascination (and laughing)  - when I saw something bizarre

You are now in the Twilight Zone.

Then I observed something very surprising....

A female wasp - with a tool.

No lie. The wasp carried a pine needle some distance and managed to lever it into a pitcher plant.  She walked down inside - wiggled it around a bunch - and used it to back out like Aladdin with a magic rope. She took her needle with her.  She came back - three times.  She even dive-bombed me looking into “her” plant. She ended up hiding in the plant, peeking up to see if I was still there.  Eventually, a very puzzled Keeley had to leave.

I came back later. And found what she was working on.

(Cue music from the Twilight Zone….)

Think about it.  I mean, we know bees communicate in the hive. Aka - "hive mentality".  What if...wasps are smart too?  Can they communicate with each other even though they don’t live in hives?  Like say, crows that can recognize "mean" humans and somehow...other crows recognize  (and mob) the same human hundreds of miles away.  (this is also a scientifically proven fact)

Lends a whole new level of meaning to those  Killer Hornet news stories now doesn't it??

What if - they are smarter than we think. They’re hunting in packs.  Naw….

That’s just plain crazy!

While this all seems unusual behavior (and I took a LOT of photos) - the needle turned out to be benign, I think.  I believe she was packing a nest. Unfortunately that location at the bottom of the Pitcher plant won’t go so well for her little offspring.

But still. I might need some wasp spray. Just
in case I find hornets trying to pick the lock on my house next week.

And for that nest of ground hornets that chased my husband in after mowing the lawn.

The End.  Bzzzz. Bzzzz.

Liveaboard Experiences : Southern Exumas Bahamas

by Keeley Collins on September 20

In our 2nd article we will share our experiences aboard the Sea Dragon liveaboard in the southern Exumas Bahamas, and hopefully inspire sweet dreams of your own future trip.

8am. Awaken to the sound of water gently lapping, roll out of bed & follow the smell of fresh coffee & pancakes. Eat while motoring to the first site. Dive twice before lunch. Relax & snooze while motoring to the next site.  Dive again before dinner. Eat & grab torches for a night dive. Dry off. Sleep. Repeat.  No dishes. No cooking. No slogging your wet gear around.  Sound good?  This is liveaboard life. 

Diving is available in the Bahamas nearly year round and features stunning turquoise waters with uninhabited beaches of soft white sand. There’s something for everyone - wrecks, deep walls, shallow reefs, large pelagics (sharks! dolphins!)  and macro life.  The southern Exumas are sleepy little islands with a few small air strips, only fairly recently on the tourist scene. They’re the home of the famous swimming pigs!

We dove mostly around uninhabited Conception Island, a national park since 1964 & marine park ~2016.  A fun shore excursion was boating up the estuary with miles of mangroves - and hundreds of baby sea turtles (I kid you not).  We floated out as the tide changed and witnessed a mass spawning congregation of 65+ puffers.  The flat seas & little wind just after Hurricane Isaias afforded us a rare opportunity to dive the north walls & wrecks.  (More in next article)

M/V Sea Dragon is a custom designed 65 ft. fiberglass liveaboard (built 1980)  based in Ft. Lauderdale and run 7-14+ day trips of either north Exumas (from Nassau - fall/spring) or south Exumas (George Town - summer).  Accommodations for 8 guests in 4 bunk-bed style cabins, sharing 1 full bathroom & 1 toilet. Two outrigger stabilizers gave us a smooth ride.   With this small  size, they’re free to customize itineraries.  See their Facebook page SEADRAGONBAHAMAS.  

The crew has 30+ years experience in the Bahamas and that showed.  The boat is not fancy, but if you're a serious diver you'll happily trade creature comforts for unforgettable experiences.  Dive deck was well equipped with cubbies for each diver, the safety briefings comprehensive. 

While the accommodations are basic, the food & the experience is not….the folks aboard Sea Dragon made us feel like family visiting on vacation, a welcome change during COVID.  The food was PLENTIFUL & delicious home-style cookin' (turkey with fixings, roast beef, lasagna, burger night, grilled salmon, waffles, french toast, soup+sandwiches).

They have 3 friendly dogs (Australian Shepards) which have a very special relationship with a local dolphin named Calypso - amazing to watch them swim & play together!  Calypso followed us from site to site, quickly checking on us, and then swimming on to find her friends to play with.  I could write a whole article just on this special friendship…

Sunsets are spectacular to view from the top deck, featuring conch-shell corals and drenched yellows with a green flash.  Just writing this makes me wish I could go back!

I always meet new life-long friends on liveaboards (work & play).  You will too - we hope you start planning today!

General Liveaboard Considerations:

1. Health & Safety: Smoke detectors, 24 hr watchman,  satellite phone, O2/Defibrillator,  Cleaning & Sanitization procedures, where’s the nearest chamber?

2. Stability & Seasickness - check the weather, ask your doctor for non-drowsy seasickness medications just in case, ask the boat what type of stabilization they use

3. Destination - how to get there, best time of year. What animals  will you see? Small plane?  What’s your weight limit?

4. Gear: Rentals available? Nitrox?

5. Pack Reef safe products (hair, sunscreen, soap)

6. Training/Courses available - dive guides available?  Are conditions right for your  level  of training? 

7. Size of cabins/bathrooms - bunks  vs. flat beds - Roommate vs. Single.

8. Costs:  Perks, added fees, and tips. Expect to tip 10-15% on top of trip costs. (average)

   

9. Pricing Tip: Break down cost per full diving day  (not including travel &  partial days aka embarkation &  disembarkation). Compare full costs apples to apples if possible.

Keeley Collins is an avid traveller & award winning marine photographer based in NC.  A DAN Ambassador, she dedicates her time to supporting non-profits that promote reef conservation, diver education and the NC scuba community.  See her work at KelpandCoral.zenfolio.com .   
 

My mother used to say “Where there’s a will, there’s a way” - and this attitude was key to our success getting to this destination. In the early days of Covid, travel was possible - but it took a lot of flexibility - creativity - and tolerance for risk.  This 3-part series will share our experiences, review our liveaboard on the Sea Dragon, and inspire you (we hope) - to get out there again. 

Updated 2023

Advanced travel planning is key these days - a good travel agent is worth the pennies (if anything) it costs you.  It's not so much about Covid closures nowadays - but a question of flight cancellations due to weather, staff shortages and over-booked flights.  And Covid is still around....

Our original post was about our travel experiences early in the Pandemic, when countries would close, reopen & close again, and the challenges with testing requirements & visas.  This update will give you a few pointers about dealing with post-Pandemic travel.  Some countries require special visitor visas, vaccine affadavits and special medical insurance in case you get Covid while there visiting.   

Our travel in 2020 was helped by relationships spanning decades with the owners of the Sea Dragon (a rare level of trust).  We also had government contacts in the Bahamas helping to sponsor our work.  We had to be super flexible about our plans because airlines/airports would shut down. Our air connections changed 5 times.  Despite the challenges getting there, we enjoyed our 10-day trip & learned a lot about diving in the Exumas.  A liveaboard was ideal - within 2 days we’d forgotten all about COVID.  It’s truly eat-sleep-dive-repeat!

The requirements below are applicable for nearly all international destinations:. 

1. Check with US Embassy for current travel restrictions: https://bs.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/ 

2. Covid testing and vaccine requirements are still a thing - rules vary widely by country so it pays to check.

   1. Travel insurance didn't cover Covid initially. Today - some, but not all, cover this. Check the policy for CLEAR language about whether they will cover the full cost if you or another traveler gets Covid BEFORE the trip (causing you to cancel the trip for medical reasons) - AND - whether they will cover help if you get Covid DURING your travel (medical care and/or quarantine). 

   2. Check your health insurance coverage.  Most US-based medical insurance policies (including Medicare/Medicaid) do NOT cover you out of the country (see 4 below).

   3. A few countries still require PCR Covid tests - and they may specify which labs they require!  You may have to find a lab that meets their turnaround requirements.  We used a mail-in kit from Everlywell with 48 hour results..

   4. COVID testing is more widely available in the US.  But...it may not be covered by your health insurance unless you have symptoms and a doctor orders it.  Testing is no longer free from the government in the US.  

   5. Many countries are requiring some kind of a travel visa nowadays with a nominal fee.  Some require a "health visa" (usually Covid vaccine/recovery related).  Best to check in advance.

3. Flight issues....sigh.  Now (2023) there are rampant airline cancellations and over-booked flights - with few allowances for refunds or options for re-routing with different airlines.  Make sure you have good travel insurance!  Airlines are under-staffed and in the US, there have been work stoppages.  Baggage handling is worse than ever, in our experience.  Our checked bags are missing on arrival about 50% of the time in the past 18 months.

4. The Covid pandemic made proof of international health insurance coverage a common requirement for many countries. Because most US health insurance plans don't cover you when you travel to a foreign country - be prepared to purchase health coverage through trip insurance (or to pay in cash).  Note many trip insurance plans are SECONDARY insurers - so you pay the foreign doctor/hospital/clinic in cash, then apply for reimbursement. Cash means cash - no credit cards accepted in many countries.

5. Quarantines upon entry are largely a thing of the past. But...if you get Covid during travel, some countries will require you to quarantine in a facility of their choosing. Check policies.

6. Take 30 days supply of medications (just in case you get stuck, for any reason).

Sunset of the Green Flash

Keeley Collins is an avid traveller & award winning marine photographer based in NC.  A DAN Ambassador, she dedicates her time to supporting non-profit organizations that promote diver education and marine/reef conservation efforts.