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News Release 14-025
Overfishing of Caribbean coral reefs favors coral-killing sponges
Caribbean-wide study shows protected coral reefs dominated by sponges with chemical defenses
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![a sponge smothering a living coral head on a reef](/news/mmg/media/images/SpongeOvergrowCoral_f.jpg)
A sponge smothers a living coral head on a reef that lacks predatory angelfish.
Credit: Joe Pawlik, UNCW
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![Photo of different species of sponges on a coral reef in the Bahamas.](/news/mmg/media/images/IMG_5825_f.jpg)
More than five species of sponges cover a coral reef in the Bahamas.
Credit: Joe Pawlik, UNCW
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![photo of Aplysina cauliformis on Agelas clathrodes](/news/mmg/media/images/IMG_5753_f.jpg)
Aplysina cauliformis (violet) on Agelas clathrodes (orange); both carry potent chemicals.
Credit: Joe Pawlik, UNCW
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![Large sponges on a reef with sponge-eating fish in the Bahamas.](/news/mmg/media/images/img_5599_f_c1c96abd-6120-4c60-8902-d38b400f2732.jpg)
Large chemically-defended sponges on a reef with abundant sponge-eating fish in the Bahamas.
Credit: Joe Pawlik, UNCW
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![A yellow burrowing sponge on a plate-forming stony coral.](/news/mmg/media/images/IMG_5355_f.jpg)
A yellow burrowing sponge attacking a plate-forming stony coral.
Credit: Joe Pawlik, UNCW
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![Close-up of the brilliantly-colored Ailochroia crassa (purple) and Agelas sp. (brown).](/news/mmg/media/images/IMG_5301_f.jpg)
Close-up of the brilliantly-colored Ailochroia crassa (purple) and Agelas sp. (brown).
Credit: Joe Pawlik, UNCW
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