Cinachyrella sp. 1

Diaz, Maria Cristina, Nuttall, Marissa, Pomponi, Shirley A., Ruetzler, Klaus, Klontz, Sarah, Adams, Christi, Hickerson, Emma L. & Schmahl, G. P., 2023, An annotated and illustrated identification guide to common mesophotic reef sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae, Hexactinellida, and Homoscleromorpha) inhabiting Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary and vicinities, ZooKeys 1161, pp. 1-68 : 1

Cinachyrella sp. 1

Fig. 45

Diagnostic features.

Globular sponge (12 cm wide). Neon yellow in and out, covered by sediment obscuring the sponge color. The surface appears smooth, rough to the touch; microhispid microscopically. Few apical oscula (6-8 mm wide). Dense in consistency. This specimen was initially identified as Tetilla sp. However, an 18S barcoding study shows this species is 99.9% Cinachyrella sp. (Iris Segura, pers. comm., 2022). The specimen studied lacks protrienes and anatrianes found in all Cinachyrella species from the region. This specimen has long oxea: 2500-3000 × 10-50 µm, small oxea: 130-170 × 5 µm, and sigma (c-, and s-shaped), 20-30 µm long × <1 µm wide. The determination of this species requires further comparative work and the analyses of other genetic markers.

Similar species.

Globular yellowish species of the genera Cinachyrella , Cinachyra , or Tetilla .

Distribution and abundance.

At FGBNMS this species is rare, appearing once at one site.

Ecology.

Coralline algal reefs.

Identification.

Iris Segura, MCD.

Reference.

van Soest and Rützler 2002.

Figures

Figure 45. In-situ photograph of Cinachyrella sp. 1, 81 m deep. Sample GFOE 3 - 20.