Neofibularia nolitangere (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864)

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

Neofibularia nolitangere (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864)

Fig. 12

Diagnostic features.

Massive base with thick lobes (10-30 cm high x 10-15 cm wide). Brown to yellowish in color externally, tan internally. The surface is irregularly corrugated to velvety smooth. The oscula are on top of lobes with a thin paler membrane. This species can grow as a thick barrel or massive crusts. The sponge is soft and friable in consistency. It is well known by its tendency to cause skin irritation.

Similar species.

The massive size and reddish-brown external color reminiscent of some Neopetrosia spp. Spicules allow clear differentiation.

Distribution and abundance.

Coral reefs or rock pavements in shallow depths in southwestern Caribbean (Colombia and Panama), Florida and North Carolina. At FGBNMS it is low to high (2-100+) in abundance at five sites. Thousands of polychaete worms swarmed from the inside of the sponge when it was collected.

Ecology.

Coralline algae reefs, algal nodules, and lower mesophotic reefs.

Identification.

KR, SK, CA, MCD.

Reference.

Wiedenmayer 1977.

Figures

Figure 12. Neofibularia nolitangere, 70 m deep. Sample GFOE 3 - 30 (8 - 31 - 19).