DIVERSITY AND BATHYMETRIC DISTRIBUTION OF LITHISTID SPONGES IN THE TROPICAL WESTERN ATLANTIC REGION.

Authors

Shirley A. Pomponi, Florida Atlantic University
M. Kelly-Borges, Florida Atlantic University
John K. Reed, Florida Atlantic University
Amy E. Wright, Florida Atlantic University

Author Type

Faculty

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Nineteen species of lithistid sponges (Porifera: Demospongiae), representing 13 genera, eight families, and four suborders are reported from the tropical western Atlantic region, including three new records of occurrence: Discodermia verrucosa Topsent, Corallisfes cf. undularus Levi & Levi, and C. cf. nolitangere Schmidt. This inventory of the biodiversity and bathymetric distribution of these sponges is based on the results obtained from 36 expeditions and more than 450 submersible transects. The objective of these expeditions was the collection of marine organisms for discovery of biologically active compounds with pharmaceutical potential. The taxonomic diversity and distribution thus noted. contrasts with the results of previous reports which describe more specific regionaJ faunas. Lithistids are dominant components of hard-bottom habitats at depths greater than 150 m in the tropical western Atlantic region.

Publication Date

2001

Comments

Florida Atlantic University. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute contribution #1421.

Recommended Citation

This manuscript is an author version with the final publication available and may be cited as: Pomponi, S. A., Kelly, M., Reed, J. K., & Wright, A. E. (2001). Diversity and bathymetric distribution of lithistid sponges in the tropical western Atlantic region. Bulletin of the Biological Society of Washington, 10, 344-353.