Petrosia sp. nov. 1

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

Petrosia sp. nov. 1

Fig. 23

Diagnostic features.

Round to flattened branching (branches 1-2 cm wide), occasionally anastomosing, with roundish tips. Branches are erect, horizontal, or creeping along the substrate. Red-brown to purple externally and tan internally in live. The tips are paler in color. The surface is very smooth. White rimed oscula, 1-2 mm wide, separated by several cm. The sponge is compressible but firm.

Similar species.

The growth form of this Petrosia (Petrosia) species in unique.

Distribution and abundance.

Mesophotic reefs and rocky pavement in the northwestern GOM at FGBNMS, east GOM at Pulley Ridge, and in South Carolina (52-72 m) ( Díaz et al. 2021). At FGBNMS the species presents rare to low (1-10) distribution at four sites.

Ecology.

Coralline algae reefs, algal nodules, lower mesophotic reefs. The purple color probably originates from endosymbiotic cyanobacteria Synechococcus spongiarium .

Identification.

MCD.

Reference.

van Soest 1980.

Figures

Figure 23. Petrosia sp. nov. 1, 73 - 79 m deep. Sample DFH 33 - 542 A.