Dysidea sp. 1

Fig. 54

Diagnostic features.

Encrusting to massive (2-4.5 cm in thickness). Pale yellow to orange color in life. The surface is porous and with low conules. Many oscula with transparent membranes. The sponge is compressible.

Similar species.

This species is similar to the Mediterranean species Dysidea fragilis . There is an inaccurate citation of Dysidea fragilis by de Laubenfels (1953) from the GOM, and this is probably an undescribed species.

Distribution and abundance.

At FGBNMS the species is widely distributed at ten sites with a range of abundance from rare (1 per site) to common (11-100).

Ecology.

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

Identification.

KR, MCD.

Reference.

de Laubenfels 1953.