Pseudospongosorites suberitoides (Díaz, Pomponi & Van Soest, 1993)

Figures 118 a–c

Spongosorites suberitoides Díaz et al., 1993: 299, figs 28, 34; Sandford 1995: 74, fig. 1; Sandford & Brown 1997: 218, figs 1–3; Sandford & Kelly-Borges 1997: 317.

Pseudospongosorites suberitoides; McCormack & Kelly 2001: 11.

Material examined. RMNH Por. 6293, Suriname, ‘ Luymes O.C.P.S. II’ Guyana Shelf Expedition, station A68, 6.542°N 55.26°W, depth 36 m, Agassiz trawl, 24 March 1969; RMNH Por. 9299, Suriname, ‘ Snellius O.C.P.S. ’ Guyana Shelf Expedition, station F40, 7.0033°N 56.4417°W, depth 59 m, bottom sand, 6 May 1966; RMNH Por. 9778, Suriname, ‘ Luymes O.C.P.S. II’ Guyana Shelf Expedition, station I119, 6.505°N 54.9833°W, depth 42 m, Agassiz trawl, 25 April 1969; RMNH Por. 9842, Suriname, ‘ Snellius O.C.P.S. ’ Guyana Shelf Expedition, station D32, 6.7417°N 55.9933°W, depth 49.5 m, bottom sand, shells, 3 May 1966; RMNH Por. 9915, Suriname, ‘ Luymes O.C.P.S. II’ Guyana Shelf Expedition, station J112, 7.305°N 54.605°W, depth 88.5 m, 22 April 1969 .

Description. Irregularly globular to flattened sponges (Figs 118 a,a1), inhabited by a hermit crab (which usually has a gastropod as its primary house), resembling similar Suberites -hermit crab associations (‘mobile’ sponges). Surface undulating but smooth. Usually with a single larger oscule at the opposite side of the hermit crab hole. Color in alcohol yellow to grey. Size variable, from 1 cm to 11 cm in diameter. Consistency firm.

Skeleton. At the surface a palisade of spicules, internally confused with vague tracts and large numbers of loose spicules.

Spicules. (Figs 118 b–c) Oxeas only.

Oxeas, predominantly sharply pointed, occasionally with stylote modifications, in a large size range, divisible in a (1) larger (Figs 118 b,b1), 231–279 µm, and a (2) smaller (Figs 118 c,c1), 99–186 µm category; overall dimensions 99– 214 –279 x 4 – 5.6 –7 µm.

Distribution and ecology. Guyana Shelf, North Carolina, Gulf of Mexico, Florida, Venezuela, on sandy bottoms from the intertidal down to 88.5 m depth (Guyana Shelf 36–88.5 m).

Remarks. Several studies about the behavior of pagurid crabs, Paguristes hummi and Pagurus impressus, inhabiting this sponge have been published (Sandford 1994, 1995; Sandford & Brown 1997). The species has a wide distribution, which is further extended east and southward, and deeper, by the present records.