Biochemical method to determine pigment composition of Porifera

Abstract

Modern species definitions are based on the total genetic identity of the organism,which is reflected not only in morphological characteristics,but in physiological and biochemical behaviour. Because taxonomic systems for the Porifera depend almost entirely on gross morphological characteristics an independent means of assessing species variation would find immediate usefulness. Biochemical analysis of pigmentation has been chosen,since some Porifera exhibit striking coloration,and because a qualitative characterisation of coloration is already widely used. The present study demonstrates a method by which pigmentation can be used qualitatively in comparisons of species.