Verongula reiswigi Alcolado, 1984

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

Verongula reiswigi Alcolado, 1984

Fig. 51

Diagnostic features.

Large tube or vase, wider at the base or at the mid body. The color is yellow with green or pinkish tinges alive, purple when dry or in alcohol. The outer surface is ribbed, forming a regular pattern that covers the whole sponge surface. One large opening (oscule or pseudo-oscule) at top of each “vase” (> 5 cm), with a very thin membrane (1-2 mm) that surrounds the whole rim. The consistency is firm but compressible.

Similar species.

The overall shape, “oscule” size, and surface of this species makes it unique.

Distribution and abundance.

This species is rare in occurrence at shallow and mesophotic coral reefs in Florida, Bahamas, Cuba, and eastern Caribbean. Rare at FGBNMS, seen only once at one site,

Ecology.

Heavily silted lower mesophotic reef.

Identification.

MCD.

References.

Alcolado 1984; Perez et al. 2017.

Figures

Figure 51. Verongula reiswigi at 76 m deep. Photo code SP 58.