The intra-specific diversity in secondary metabolites can provide crucial information for understanding species ecology and evolution but has received limited attention in marine chemical ecology. The complex nature of diversity is partially responsible

Spongia virgultosa, S. officinalis and S. agaricina probably arise from a single ancestor and, at present, colonize three different habitats along the Portofino Promontory cliff and deep rocks (Ligurian Sea, Italy) from the first 2-3 m to 100 m depth.

The abundance of the bath sponge Spongia agaricina has decreased drastically in recent years and it is now considered an endangered species under Annex 3 of Bern and Barcelona conventions. We describe eight microsatellite markers and present data on their