Placospherastra antillensis van Soest, 2009

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

Placospherastra antillensis van Soest, 2009

Fig. 19

Diagnostic features.

Thick encrusting (1-5 mm thick). Color in life orange, dark orange, brown-orange, or yellowish. The surface consists of elongated plates, separated by meandering ridges and grooves with pores. The system of plates and ridges is irregular in shape. Consistency hard, rough to the touch.

Similar species.

The plates and canals on the surface are similar to Placospongia spp. surface. The intense orange color of Placospherastra antillensis , and the spicules allow their differentiation.

Distribution and abundance.

Usually under coral rubble and in reef caves, 20-23 m depth in Bonaire and Belize. First report at mesophotic depths. At FGBNMS the species has a widespread distribution occurring at 11 sites with rare to medium abundance (1-100).

Ecology.

Coralline algae reefs, algal nodules, lower mesophotic reefs.

Identification.

KR, SK, CA.

References.

van Soest, 2009; Rützler et al. 2014.

Figures

Figure 19. A Placospherastra antillensis, with surface contracted, 60 m deep. Sample DFH 9 - 10 C B Placospherastra antillensis relaxed, showing groves with ostia (incurrent pores), and oscula (excurrent openings), 60 m deep. Sample DFH 9 - 11 C.