Halichondria sp. 1

Fig. 33

Diagnostic features.

Massive to thick encrusting, or globular to lobate with lobes ≤ 15 cm high. Yellow orange sponge alive, tan pinkish in alcohol. The surface is rugose to verrucose, with deep grooves and holes <0.5 mm wide; the deep grooves, where thin ectosome is absent, have a feathery appearance. Oscula 0.5-2 cm wide, with a yellow membranous collar that is 5-8 mm high when the oscula are fully open. Compressible in consistency.

Similar species.

Myrmekioderma rea when it grows as a thick massive crust, and massive lobate Axynissa ambrosia can be easily confused with this species. Its spicules (oxea in a wide size range) and surface features are unique among the Halichondriidae .

Distribution and abundance.

The sponge is common at FGBNMS on mesophotic habitats between 55-73 m. This is an undescribed species. The species occurs at four sites with rare to medium abundance (1-100).

Ecology.

Coralline algae reefs, algal nodules, lower mesophotic reefs.

Identification.

CA, SWK, MCD.

References.

Díaz et al. 1993; Zea et al. 2014.