Freshwater sponges were reported in South Carolina in the 1980s and 1990s-mostly from a pond east of Columbia. With the help of undergraduate Josie Shostak and M.S. student Alex Parry at the College of Charleston, we surveyed ~30 sites from Charleston to Columbia and have found at least 10 species of freshwater sponges. Some of these are new records for South Carolina and others may be new species. These sponges can be small and spiky or thinly encrusting and smooth, and they grow on natural and artificial substrates in lakes, streams, and rivers. Sponges are identified in part by their spicules (see microscope picture at the bottom), and while dissecting them we have found insect larvae in some! Now that we have a better idea of the species that are present in South Carolina, next summer we hope to learn more about their ecology.
