Thesis (BS Biology) -- University of the Philippines Mindanao, 2003

Forty-six sponge species, under Class Demospongiae representing 9 Orders and 23 Families were found in four study stations around Talikud Island, Davao Gulf. Twenty-two species were found in station 1 which was characterized by sloping sandy patches and areas that are protected from the northeast and southwest monsoon. In station 2, which features shallow, rocky areas and exposed to both the northeast and southwest monsoon, only 8 sponge species were found. In station 3, where the areas have sloping coral cover, 19 sponge species were reckoned. Station 4 revealed 16 sponge species that were distributed in sloping and close to wall areas with coral cover. Of the different sponge species. Cymbastela cathrarella, Echinodictyum asperum, Plakortis lita and Xestospongia sp. were present in all the study stations. They survive sloping sandy patches, rocky areas and those that are protected as well as exposed during northeast and southwest monsoons