Conservation & Threats

Cliona appears to be a very tolerant organism with little to no threats identified that can potentially harm the genus. 

Where a large number of species, especially coral, are increasingly affected by climate change factors, such as warmer temperatures, Cliona spp. tend to be rather heat tolerant, with little effect exhibited on these sponges. Bioeroding sponges that harbour symbiotic zooxanthellae, appear to be more heat tolerant and resistant to thermal bleaching as opposed to corals that also house zooxanthellae. Reasoning as to why Cliona is less susceptible to bleaching may be as a result of different species of Symbiodinium present in corals and cliona; one being more heat tolerant than the other. Also, due to the excavating properties of Cliona, this may provide extra protection for the symbionts as shelter is provided within the substrate.

Spongivorous (sponge eating) organisms such as parrot fish, can potentially be a threat to Cliona as it uses the sponge as a food source. Parrot fish bite marks have been found to scar Cliona’s body surface. This predator, can have the potential to indirectly alter the competitive interaction between the sponge and its host substrate, by slowing the sponge’s movement over the substrate (Marquez and Zea 2012) However, as mentioned previously parrot fish is seen more as a benefit to Cliona than a threat as it aid the spread of Cliona when biting at the coral-sponge interface by removing live coral in front of it (Marquez and Zea 2012).