Auletta tuberosa (Alvarez et al., 1998)

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

Auletta tuberosa (Alvarez et al., 1998)

Fig. 15

Diagnostic features.

Clusters of tubes (0.25 -1 cm diameter), arborescent, with short and narrow peduncle; tubes anastomose and are crooked, uneven, and bumpy. Orange to yellowish tan in color. The surface is felt-like, smooth visually. Oscula or vents, on top of the tubes (2-4 mm diameter). Soft and compressible in consistency.

Similar species.

the protuberances of the tubes and ramose thick branches make this a unique species. The spicules include slender oxeas, styles, and wavy strongyles allowing distinction from Auletta syncinularia , which contains only styles and wavy strongyles.

Distribution and abundance.

Auletta tuberosa is reported from 60-80 m depth at Guyana, southern Caribbean, eastern Antilles, Florida, Bahamas, and southeast GOM (off Cape Sable) where it was originally described. At FGBNMS it has a wide-spread distribution, occurring at 12 sites, with abundance ranging from rare to common (1-100 individuals).

Ecology.

Coralline algae reefs, algal nodules, lower mesophotic reefs.

Identification.

MCD, CA.

Reference.

Alvarez et al. 1998.

Figures

Figure 15. Auletta tuberosa, 72 - 78 m deep. Samples DFH 9 - 13 A, DFH 9 - 4 A.