Haliclona (Halichoclona) stoneae

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 : 80

Haliclona (Halichoclona) stoneae de Weerdt, 2000

Synonymy and eferences. Haliclona (Halichoclona) stoneae de Weerdt, 2000: 50, figs. 2B, 3A, 36.

Material. USNM 51541, Carrie Bow Cay East, forereef, under coral overhang, 21 m; W. H. de Weerdt col. 10 Dec 1988. USNM 54542, Carrie Bow Cay East, forereef, under coral overhang, 21 m; W. H. de Weerdt col. 9 Dec 1988.

External morphology. Cushion shape, to 20 mm thick, with more or less elevated oscula of 4–9 mm diameter. Surface smooth, consistency brittle, color in life pink.

Skeleton structure. Subisotropical, paucispicular reticulation, spicules held together by minute amounts of spongin (only visible if stained).

Spicules. Slightly curved, slim oxeas: 286–359 x 8–13 (321 x 12) Μm; simple, c-shaped sigmas: 12–21 (17) Μm.

Ecology. Under coral overhangs, 21 m.

Distribution. Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Belize; probably Caribbean-wide.

Comments. Characterization of this species was taken from the original description (de Weerdt, 2000).