Geodia cf. curacaoensis van Soest et al., 2014

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

Geodia cf. curacaoensis van Soest et al., 2014

Fig. 42

Diagnostic features.

Spherical, approx. 7 cm in diameter, with a roundish black apical plate (2 cm wide). The sponge color is pale brown with reddish tinges. The surface is mostly smooth, with patches with sediments or turf around the apical plate, and occasionally on body side. Many oscula (2 mm wide) concentrated on the apical plate. Hard as a rock. The cf. is assigned due to the black color of the sieve plate, larger oscula, and the because size of the large category of oxea of Geodia curacaoensis is twice the size of oxea from the FGBNMS specimen.

Similar species.

This specimen is very similar to Geodia curacaoensis , in overall external morphology, and spicule composition.

Distribution and abundance.

Geodia curacaoensis was described from mesophotic depths in Curacao and was recorded in shallow reefs at Alacranes Reef, south GOM, and at mesophotic depths in Cuba. This morphotype was found at FGBNMS in low (2-10) abundance at six sites.

Ecology.

Coralline algae reefs, algal nodules, lower mesophotic reefs.

Identification.

KR, CA, SWK, MCD.

Reference.

Ugalde et al. 2015.

Figures

Figure 42. Geodia cf. curacaoensis 81 m deep. Sample GFOE 3 - 21.