Halichondria 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

Halichondria sp. 1

Fig. 33

Diagnostic features.

Massive to thick encrusting, or globular to lobate with lobes ≤ 15 cm high. Yellow orange sponge alive, tan pinkish in alcohol. The surface is rugose to verrucose, with deep grooves and holes <0.5 mm wide; the deep grooves, where thin ectosome is absent, have a feathery appearance. Oscula 0.5-2 cm wide, with a yellow membranous collar that is 5-8 mm high when the oscula are fully open. Compressible in consistency.

Similar species.

Myrmekioderma rea when it grows as a thick massive crust, and massive lobate Axynissa ambrosia can be easily confused with this species. Its spicules (oxea in a wide size range) and surface features are unique among the Halichondriidae .

Distribution and abundance.

The sponge is common at FGBNMS on mesophotic habitats between 55-73 m. This is an undescribed species. The species occurs at four sites with rare to medium abundance (1-100).

Ecology.

Coralline algae reefs, algal nodules, lower mesophotic reefs.

Identification.

CA, SWK, MCD.

References.

Díaz et al. 1993; Zea et al. 2014.

Figures

Figure 33. Halichondria sp. 1, 60 - 80 m deep. Samples DFH 9 - 11 D, DFH 9 - 12 D, DFH 9 - 14 E, DFH 9 - 3 E.