Erylus alleni de Laubenfels, 1934

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

Erylus alleni de Laubenfels, 1934

Fig. 39

Diagnostic features.

Stalks with heart-shaped tops (3-7 cm in height, 1-3 cm wide). Dark brown in color externally, tan internally. Very smooth surface. One or two oscula per stalk located at the tips (1-5 mm wide). The oscula continued by an atrium 1-2 cm deep. Dense in consistency.

Similar species.

The stalked growth form and certain spicule details (elliptical aspidasters, two categories of oxyasters) allow its differentiation with co-occurring similar species such as Erylus goffrilleri and Erylus trisphaerus .

Distribution and abundance.

Mesophotic depths in Puerto Rico and Brazil. Rare species. This is the first report of this species for the GOM, at FGBNMS found with rare to low abundance (1-10) at 7 sites.

Ecology.

Coralline algae reefs, algal nodules.

Identification.

KR, CS, SWK, MCD.

Reference.

Mothes et al. 1999.

Figures

Figure 39. Erylus alleni, 60 m deep. Samples DFH 9 - 12 E, DFH 9 - 12 F.