Sponges survive and develop infaunal snapping shrimp communities when transplanted immediately after clonal propagation: implications for restoration

Abstract Introduction Sponges historically dominated the heterotrophic biomass of Florida Bay's hard‐bottom habitat, providing crucial ecosystem services including shelter for soniferous shrimp that contribute to the marine soundscape. The loss of the sponge communities has inspired restoration efforts using in‐water nurseries for vegetative propagation and transplantation. Objectives This study refined sponge restoration methodologies to support larger‐scale restoration efforts. Methods Using a reciprocal transplant experiment with three sponge species amenable to vegetative propagation ( Spheciospongia vesparium , Ircinia campana , and I. felix ), we assessed the survival of newly propagated cuttings either immediately transplanted or left at their place of origin. To evaluate the density‐dependent development of infaunal shrimp communities in vegetatively propagated S. vesparium , we outplanted newly propagated sponges into comparatively higher and lower density sponge communities and monitored their growth rates, internal canal system, and infaunal shrimp densities. Results Post‐propagation survival did not differ between immediately transplanted sponges and those that remained on the propagation site. S. vesparium transplanted directly into the lower density sponge communities exhibited higher growth rates, developed more extensive internal canal networks, and hosted greater numbers of resident infaunal snapping shrimp compared to sponges placed in the higher density sponge communities. Conclusions Newly created sponges are resilient to the potential stress of immediate post‐propagation transplantation. S. vesparium transplanted into the lower density sponge communities exhibited higher growth rates, developed internal canal systems, and hosted greater numbers of infaunal shrimp compared to sponges placed in comparatively denser sponge habitat.