Table 1 Alpha diversity measurements of microbial communities in 10 sponge species and ambient seawater showing sponge abundance category (HMA vs. LMA) and replicates per location (Conch Reef, Florida, vs. Carrie Bow Cay, Belize). Values are means ± 1 standard error

Agelas tubulata

HMA

559 ± 22

4.20 ± 0.14

0.035 ± 0.008

466 ± 48

3.90 ± 0.14

0.045 ± 0.009

Aplysina archeri

HMA

288

3.17

0.14

–

–

–

Ircinia strobilina

HMA

505 ± 24

4.53 ± 0.06

0.020 ± 0.003

–

–

–

Verongula gigantea

HMA

534 ± 21

4.55 ± 0.06

0.025 ± 0.002

563 ± 68

4.47 ± 0.04

0.027 ± 0.002

Verongula reiswigi

HMA

533 ± 15

4.73 ± 0.05

0.015 ± 0.001

445 ± 36

4.25 ± 0.07

0.028 ± 0.003

Xestospongia muta

HMA

543 ± 10

4.66 ± 0.02

0.019 ± 0.001

545 ± 12

4.53 ± 0.03

0.021 ± 0.001

Callyspongia plicifera

LMA

716 ± 13*

4.12 ± 0.03

0.042 ± 0.002

690 ± 10*

4.04 ± 0.01

0.042 ± 0.005

Callyspongia vaginalis

LMA

537 ± 33

2.45 ± 0.21

0.323 ± 0.051

474 ± 36

2.08 ± 0.30

0.420 ± 0.087

Mycale laxissima

LMA

433 ± 37

2.27 ± 0.23*

0.250 ± 0.040*

324 ± 20

1.59 ± 0.18*

0.409 ± 0.059*

Niphates digitalis

LMA

503 ± 25

2.33 ± 0.20

0.344 ± 0.053

353 ± 36

1.83 ± 0.22

0.419 ± 0.061

Seawater

–

661 ± 30

4.04 ± 0.05

0.046 ± 0.001

732 ± 18

4.21 ± 0.04

0.037 ± 0.001