Freshwater Sponge Research

Sponges are critical filter feeders found in many freshwater environments, but, to our knowledge, no studies have assessed their distribution and diversity in South Carolina. In the last two years, we have visited over 50 locations in South Carolina including rivers and lakes from Charleston to the NC and GA borders. Sponges were found on diverse substrates at 30 of these sites with up to three species at a single site. Sponges were identified via spicules and, when present, gemmules. We have now found at least 12 different species and, of these, we estimate that approximately five are new records for SC and two may be new species. We are also currently conducting DNA barcoding for molecular identification of these samples. This work sheds light on an understudied group and expands our understanding of the biodiversity in freshwater systems of South Carolina and the Southeastern United States.

National Benthic Ecology Meeting (BEM) 2023

I have been accepted to attend the National BEM conference this upcoming April 2023 in Miami Florida. At this conference, I will be presenting a poster on my expanded research on the freshwater sponge diversity in South Carolina.

2023 Publications

I am working on two different publications (to be published in 2024) in reference to my sponge research. I am coauthoring a section on freshwater sponges in a field guide on biota on the East Coast of North America with colleague Dr. John Morse. The other is a first author South Carolina Sponge Biodiversity publication with my colleague Dr. Chris Freeman.

School of Science & Mathematics Celebration of Summer Research 2022

I presented a poster on my freshwater sponge research to the incoming students at the College of Charleston, general public, and STEM community. This event celebrated the undergraduate summer research funded through the college.

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Regional Undergraduate Research Expo 2022

I won 2nd place for marine biology at the regional undergraduate research expo in spring 2022. This was a poster presentation on my freshwater sponge research findings from the past two years.

<--Click image to view poster!

National Benthic Ecology Meeting (BEM) 2022

I attended the BEM 2022 conference in Portsmouth, NH to present my freshwater sponge research, and support my colleague, Dr. Chris Freeman, in his saltwater sponge research. I presented on a poster on my first year's research on freshwater sponge diversity in the lowcountry of South Carolina.

Click image to view poster!-->

The Quest For Cushions of Glass

Dr. Chris Freeman's and my work was featured in an article published in The College Today.

<--Click image or link read the article!

https://today.cofc.edu/2022/08/17/fresh-water-sponges-marine-biology-major-cofc/

Fieldwork

During summer 2021 & 2022, I had the chance to travel all around the state of South Caroline and search freshwater systems such as rivers, ponds, and lakes for freshwater sponges. Freshwater sponges are found on hard man-made substrates, wood, or vegetative substrates.

PCR & DNA Barcoding at Grice Marine Lab

During summer 2022, I worked at the Grice Marine lab to do 28S barcoding pcr work on my freshwater sponge samples to determine species. I will receive my results in early 2023.

Sponge Dissection

I used Dr. Chris Freeman's lab space at the College of Charelston campus to dissect sponges. I soaked them in bleach to break down their tissue, so only the spicules (skeletal structure) remained. I would analyze these samples underneath a compound microscope. This is how you identify sponge species.