Neopetrosia proxima (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864)

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

Neopetrosia proxima (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864)

Fig. 22

Diagnostic features.

Thickly encrusting to massive lobate (2-9 cm in thickness). Pinkish to brown externally, tan internally. The surface is smooth but feels like sandpaper. Abundant oscula, 2-3 mm in diameter, and 1-3 cm apart. Oscula have a thin white membrane that contrasts with the darker surface color. The sponge is very firm to hard.

Similar species.

This species is similar to other species of Neopetrosia described by Vicente et al. (2019). Details of the surface and spicules allow differentiation.

Distribution and abundance.

A common species on shallow rocky shores and reefs to deeper reef habitats with a variety of wave exposures ( Zea et al. 2014), also in caves ( Perez et al. 2017). Found at mesophotic reefs on the northwestern GOM at FGBNMS and possibly in Cuba, identified as Petrosiidae CU-17 ( Díaz et al. 2018). At FGBNMS the species has been found at three sites with abundances from rare to medium (1-100).

Ecology.

Coralline algae reefs, silted lower mesophotic reefs.

Identification.

KR, SK, CA, MCD.

Reference.

Vicente et al. 2019.

Figures

Figure 22. Neopetrosia proxima, 53 - 60 m deep. Samples DFH 8 - 37 B, DFH 9 - 7 D, DFH 9 - 9 C.