Xestospongia sp. nov. 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

Xestospongia sp. nov. 1

Fig. 26

Diagnostic features.

Massive thick barrel sponge, with rounded edges and a small apical oscule or pseudo-oscule (3 cm in diameter). The sponge top is flattened. The color is pink to dark reddish, with whitish spots, tan internally. The surface is smooth to spikey and microscopically porous. A very thin transparent membrane can be distinguished on the oscule rim, and branching thin spicule tracts can be distinguished at high magnification.

Similar species.

This species is similar to Xestospongia muta but it is fat, shorter, with a flat top, thicker walls, and a smaller “atrium” than Xestospongia muta .

Distribution and abundance.

Mesophotic reefs in Cuba, south Florida, northwestern GOM at FGBNMS region, and east GOM at Pulley Ridge. This was the most abundant species at the mesophotic reefs in Cuba, and it is currently being described by a Cuba-USA team. At FGBNMS, it has been recognized once at Geyer Bank; probably confused with Xestospongia muta previously.

Ecology.

Algal nodules.

Identification.

KR, SK, CA, MCD.

Reference.

Díaz et al. 2019.

Figures

Figure 26. Xestospongia sp. nov. 1, 56 m deep. Sample GFOE 3 - 27.