Dysidea etheria

Rützler, Klaus, Piantoni, Carla, Van, Rob W. M. & Díaz, Cristina, 2014, Diversity of sponges (Porifera) from cryptic habitats on the Belize barrier reef near Carrie Bow Cay, Zootaxa 3805 (1), pp. 1-129 : 96

Dysidea etheria de Laubenfels, 1936

Synonymy and references. Dysidea etheria de Laubenfels, 1936: van Soest (1978): 53, pl. 10: 1.

Material. Field observation 78-0512-4A (photo and microscope examination only, not preserved). Carrie Bow Cay west, concrete pillar under concrete dock, 1 m; B. Spracklin photo 12 May 1978.

External morphology. A small cushion, about 3 cm 2 and 4 mm thick, covered by 1 mm tall conules; a few scattered oscula. Soft, compressible consistency, grayish-blue color in life.

Skeleton. A reticulation of fibers (70–300 Μm thick) charged with sediment grains (sand particles and foreign spicules).

Ecology. Common on mangrove stilt roots and on rock and coral bases in the lagoon, also observed in limestone caves, 1– 10 m.

Distribution. Bermuda, Florida, Bahamas, and throughout the Caribbean region.

Comments. The dysideid skeleton and the characteristic color make this species easy to identify.