Identification of sponge species Species identification is important for ecological, evolutionary, systematic, and biodiversity studies, many of which contribute to the development of conservation and management plans.

Many marine species can be identified using pictorial guides that highlight their main physical characteristics. However, there are also many marine species of lesser-known groups, such as sponges, that are hard to identify with photographs or illustrations due to their lack of complex morphological characters, and thus require specialized techniques.

Identifying sponges taxonomic levels. For example, the classes of known sponges are separated based on these The identification of sponges is very difficult due to characteristics: the Calcarea have calcium carbonate their unique morphological traits and intraspecific spicules, the Hexactinellida, siliceous spicules and variability in shape and colour. Therefore, proper the Demospongiae, siliceous spicules and sponging identification often requires collection and fibres or both. microscopic examination of their skeleton. Still, many observable morphological characters can Common features used to identify sponges are the be used to aid in sponge identification including following: overall shape, distribution of surface pores, colour, texture and size. Knowledge of other non- 00 Spongin fibres – organic skeletal elements made morphological characteristics, such as the ecological of collagen and forming very complex networks in traits of the different species can also be useful in many sponges. sponge identification. Several tools, such as posters 00 Dispersed collagen filaments – skeletal material and field guides, and designed to be used by found in all sponges non-specialist individuals while at sea have been 00 Spicules – inorganic elements present in almost developed. A selection of these is provided in the FAO all sponges’ skeleton and made of either calcium Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems webpage (www.fao. carbonate or silica. org/in-action/vulnerable-marine-ecosystems/ background/vme-tools/en/). New tools, including The composition, geometry and arrangement of the ones developed through SponGES will be these components can be diagnostic at different incorporated in the FAO VME webpage.

SponGES has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 679849. This document reflects only the author’s view – the Executive Agency for Small and Medium- sized Enterprises is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. A selection of sponge identification tools

DEEP–SEA SPONGES OF THE INDIAN OCEAN DEEP-SEA SPONGES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA SPONGES SILICEOUS SPONGES – CLASS DEMOSPONGIAE GLASS SPONGES – CLASS HEXACTINELLIDA SPONGES SILICEOUS SPONGES – CLASS DEMOSPONGIAE GLASS SPONGES – CLASS HEXACTINELLIDA (PHYLUM Demosponges, also known as siliceous sponges, represent the largest and most diverse class within Porifera, comprising 85%, more than 6 600, of all sponge species. Their shape and size range from thin crusts, to various sizes Hexactinellids, also known as glass sponges, constitute a predominantly Demospongiae come in an enormous variety of shapes and sizes, from thinly encrusting masses, hemispheres, spheres, tiny globes and Hexactinellid glass sponges are unique amongst sponges in that they lack cell membranes and their silica spicules are based on a PORIFERA) of globular, vase-, cushion-, tree-like and giant barrels more than 2 m high. Coloration, derived from pigments or symbiotic associates, covers a wide spectrum (from white to black) including yellow, orange, red, blue, green, deep-sea group, typically occurring at bathyal and abyssal depths (i.e. below (PHYLUM lollipops, to large volcano-like forms several metres high. Others resemble flasks and tall tubes, or have fan and tree-like forms. Coloration hexagonal (six-rayed) design. Spicules may be extremely large as in a 'fishing-rod', or may be twisted into 'rope', fused into a network, or purple, brown, etc. Consistency depends on the skeletal composition and varies between soft, compressible, elastic, to tough and rock hard. The surface texture varies from smooth, velvety to rugose, and hispid. Approximately 200 m). They are exclusively marine and comprise approximately 675 species is derived from carotenoid pigments (purple, magenta, blue, brown, red, pink, orange, ochre and yellow), or due to the presence of form a soggy paper or rough sack-like fabric. Glass sponges are diverse in their shape: woven baskets and tubes, big sacks, fibreglass-like Sponges are amongst 670 demosponge species are known to occur in the Mediterranean Sea. worldwide, of which nine occur in the Mediterranean Sea. Their external PORIFERA) symbionts or specific metabolites. Texture reflects the underlying mineral (spicule) and organic (collagen, fibre) skeleton and may be matting, soft tulips on stalks, and hollow and solid coral-like sticks. Texture may be stony, softly papery, brittle, fragile; always non- the most ancient animals morphology usually varies between vase, blade, cup or tube-shaped and both Massive, hard sponges (Geodia spp.) Globular sponges with rooting structures (Thenea muricata) Lollipop sponges fleshy, woody, stony or fibrous. Demosponge skeletons may include spicules, sand grains, collagen and fibre, in various combinations. elastic. Coloration is muted, being translucent, white, cream, to faint pastel pinks and blues. to have appeared in the stalked and non-stalked forms exist. They attach to hard bottom using a basal Sponges are common disc or anchoring spicules, or to soft sediment by means of root-like structures. world’s oceans. Currently, Massive sponges Globular to egg- Lollipop-shaped invertebrates in the Monorhaphis chuni coming in a variety of shaped sponges sponges with Coloration is mostly in shades of white, beige and yellow. Ancorinidae species Cladorhizidae species Hyalonematidae species more than 8 000 species deep sea, providing shapes, from irregular with one or few a large, circular are recognized but over to convoluted masses; apical oscules. They (Stylocordyla Birds’ nest sponge (Pheronema carpenteri) habitat for certain 25 000 are estimated to younger specimens are are characterized pellita) to oval and usually (sub)spherical. by a distinct apically compressed Globular to sub- benthic fauna. exist. They are distributed Oscules are grouped groove around the (Rhizaxinella cylindrical sponges together and located mid-section of the pyrifera) “head” and possessing a wide and They attach to hard at all depths and latitudes, in depression areas body, where inhalant a slender stalk. One deep atrial cavity with and in some areas form located on the top pores (ostia) are substrate on oscule is visible at a large apical oscule. surface of the sponge. located, and root-like highly structured habitats the top of the head. The surface is “hairy” seamounts, Small inhalant pores structures projecting Thenea muricata Stelletta rugosa Stelletta sp. Ecionemia sp. Stelletta lithodes Abyssocladia sp. Asbestopluma sp. Chondrocladia spp. Hyalonema spp. Chalaronema sp. Dredged ‘glass rope’ Monorhaphis chuni Geodia barretti Geodia cydonium S. pellita, grey or Stylocordyla pellita Rhizaxinella pyrifera and shows an intricate known as sponge grounds, (ostia) are also grouped from the base, by hydrothermal vents, cream in colour, has a smooth and flexible stalk, and is attached to hard substrates by means of network of spicules. Size: ~ 10 to 40 cm Ø Depth: 1–2800 m Size: several mm high to ~ 30 cm high Depth: 60–2930 m Size: up to ~ 40 cm high Depth: 198–4077 m Size: 10 cm long (2 mm Ø ) to 3 m long (1 cm Ø ) Depth: 1567–2550 m aggregations, gardens or together but found distributed across the overall surface. G. barretti, cream in colour, has an even means of which they attach to soft substrate. Consistency is slightly compressible and texture is Texture is fibrous and and clean surface with a rubbery texture. G. cydonium, yellow in colour, has a hispid/harsh surface a rounded disc while R. pyrifera, dull yellow, has an occasionally knobbed or branched rigid stalk, pinnacles and canyons, smooth. Colour is white to brownish/greyish. compressible. It is Massive, flattened spherical to bowl-shaped sponges, with a smooth, granular or Feather-, tree-, sunflower- or lollipop-shaped 'carnivorous' sponges, with 'sticky' Tulip-shaped sponges with a large, cup-shaped to elongate body on a stem of glass Fishing rod-shaped sponge, comprising a single, massive spicule. A papery body clings reefs, particularly so in the often covered with sediment. Both species have a tough but slightly compressible consistency. and lives in soft sediment thanks to a branching root-like structure. hard corals, or anchor roughened, hairy surface. Oscules usually grouped at apex. Texture usually tough, filaments or balloon-shaped spheres on which living 'food' is caught. Attached by a threads, resembling a twisted rope that roots the sponge into sediment. Glass rope to the upper portion of the spicule that roots the sponge into soft sediment. Texture deep-sea. These habitats attached to the substrate incompressible. Skeleton dominated by harsh spicules that radiate internally and 'root' in soft substrate or by a rounded disc to hard substrate. Texture soft, often the only part collected. Texture of body soggy when wet, crisp and fibrous of body soggy when wet, fibrous and fragile when dry; easily detached. Colour of Size: up to 50 cm in diameter Depth and substrate: 300–2 000 m; mixed or rock Size: up to 5-6 cm in height/diameter Depth and substrate: 300–2 000 m; sand or mud Size: less than 15 cm in height Depth and substrate: 250–800 m; sand or rock by means of a basal tuft Pheronema carpenteri in sediment. project from the surface, often with a discrete 'rind.' Colour in life white, cream, tan, compressible or hard and twiggy, often fragile. Colour in life beige, pink. when dry; fragile, easily torn and detached. Colour in life tan to grey. body cream to pale green. play key ecological roles of spicules. Can be found in large numbers as the only species or alongside other sponge species, i.e. brown or grey. it forms sponge aggregations. Sponges feed by such as: serving as shelter and nursery, and providing Stalked, fan-shaped sponges (Phakellia spp.) Fan-shaped, white and orange sponges (Pachastrella, Poecillastra) Globular sponges with apical oscula (Suberites spp.) Size: up to 20 cm in height Depth and substrate: 300–2 000 m; on soft or mixed filtering sea-water to substrate Homaxinella species Lollipop sponges Saccocalyx pedunculatus Rossellidae chalice sponges food for numerous other Thin, cup- or fan-shaped Laterally flat, Globular capture food particles sponges attached to massive sponges species of invertebrates sponges Felt vase sponge (Asconema setubalense) and oxygen, but an and fish; mediating the the substrate by a fairly with a hard but with usually narrow stalk, with a friable consistency one large Vase sponge with a unusual group, the transfer of energy between smooth surface and and a rather thick apical oscule. thin fibreglass-like wall, small oscules on one 'carnivorous sponges', the benthic and pelagic appearance. Surface Some species folding outwards at the side. Specimens of more or less smooth (e.g. S. ficus) top. Colour is off-white Phakellia ventilabrum are systems; and participating with flat, visible have a short to grey or brownish feed directly on small whitish beige and have in biogeochemical cycling oscules. Pachastrella and thick with sediment. When crustaceans by thin and frayed edges monilifera is light collected by dredge/ Homaxinella balfourensis Homaxinella sp. Living Homaxinella sp. Podospongia sp. Stylocordyla borealis processes. Unlike most peduncle. Saccocalyx pedunculatus Caulophacus spp. Crateromorpha sp. with a characteristic coloured, whitish, trawl, the appearance entanglement and pattern of vein-like lines Consistency other animals, sponges Phakellia ventilabrum Phakellia robusta more hispid and Pachastrella monilifera Poecillastra compressa Suberites domuncula S. ficus Suberites sp. can be that of “felt” Size: 30 to 60 cm long Depth: 13–2675 m Size: <10 cm (Podospongia), up to 30 cm high (Stylocordyla) Depth: 30–975 m Size: up to ~ 70 cm high Depth: 890–2760 m Size: up to ~ 40 cm high Depth: 240–4714 m fanning out. is firm yet often partially shreds. Can be found direct digestion. Water lack true tissues or Phakellia robusta is rather similar but has a more ochre-yellow coloration, a thicker blade and more slightly compressible. The surface is even and velvety. Colour varying from yellow to orange, red Hockey-stick shaped to branching sponges with a tough, internal, tree-like core from Lollipop-shaped sponges with a large, bullet-shaped to oval head and a slender stem. Bubbly cup-shaped sponge with a long, slender, hollow, thin-walled stem, attached to Tulip, mushroom, or chalice-shaped sponges with a large, open, cup-shaped body on covered by sediment. Poecillastra compressa is usually bright orange, although whitish specimens in large numbers, textured surface. They are both quite flexible. and brown. S. domuncula frequently associated to hermit crabs shell. flows into a sponge which emerges a soft, fuzzy or tough, leathery swelling along the upper branches. Attached in soft sediment by a branching 'root' and to hard substrate by a rounded hard substrate by a disc. Concave apex has large perforations, external surface has a stiff, coral-like or soft, flexible, tubular stem. 'Glass sponge sticks' often the only part organs. Instead, they have are known. It has larger oscules concentrated on one of the two sides. Occasionally cup-shaped. i.e. it forms sponge Oscules are prominent on the swollen sections and/or restricted to one side only. disc. Texture of head softer than stem, smooth or furry; stem, smooth, tough, udder-like structures. Texture of body very soft, flimsy, collapses out of water. Crisp and collected. Texture of stem stony to fibrous, slightly compressible, body soggy when specialized cells carrying Size: up to 30 cm in height/width Depth and substrate: 200–800 m; rock, gravel beds Size: up to 20 cm wide Depth and substrate: 50–800 m; rock, coral rubble Size: up to 10 cm in diameter Depth and substrate: 0–800 m; mixed; S. domuncula aggregations. Asconema setubalense through small Attached to substrate by a tough, branching 'root'. Colour in life cream to pale yellow. incompressible and flexible. Colour in life grey, cream, dull yellow. fragile when dry, stem easily broken and body torn or detached. Colour in life white. wet, crisp and fibrous when dry; fragile, easily detached. Colour in life tan to pink. openings (ostia) that out specific functions and frequently associated to hermit crabs shell a body arranged around Size: up to 1 m in height Depth and substrate: 300–2 000 m; on soft or mixed occur over the outer Poecillastra schulzei (fibreglass fan sponge) Fibrous fan sponges Rossellidae sack sponges Pheronema annae and other Pheronematidae a canal system that filters Mediterranean stony sponge (Petrosia ficiformis) Massive, volcano-like sponges (Haliclona magna) Light coloured conulose sponges (Dysidea spp.) substrate surface and leave the water for food and oxygen. Massive lobose A massive, whitish sponge with Cushion-shaped, White bouquet sponge (Farrea bowerbanki) sponge through one or sponges with large tubular or conical processes at somewhat lobose, large sharp- times covered by sediment or by a sponges. Oscules, Thin-walled reticulated tubes branching outwards more, larger, exhalent edged oscules on cyanobacteria film giving it a purple- variable in size from a basal attachment point to form a globular the upper side. brownish coloration. Processes (depending on the “bouquet”. The tubes are open and increasingly wider openings (oscules). Consistency is often with one or few major oscules species), are usually and wavy at their extremity. Consistency is hard but hard but slightly reaching a large diameter. The rim of scattered around the fragile and texture is like fine sand paper. Coloration is compressible, the oscules is thinner and somehow sponge. The surface crisp white. crumbly inside. transparent. Texture is smooth and Poecillastra schulzei P. schulzei Poecillastra Isodictya sp. Isodictya sp. Iophon sp. Hyalascus sp. Acanthascus sp. Rhabdocalyptus sp. Pheronema annae Pheronema sp. is “spiky” (conulose) sp. Texture is velvety. consistency is soft turning brittle due to the lifting Size: up to ~ 30 cm Ø Depth: 696–2040 m Size: up to 40 cm Ø~ Depth: 3–1652 m Size: may reach 1 m Ø Depth: 100–2000 m Size: up to 40 cm Ø Depth: 502–3480 m Outer coloration when dried. of the surface layer varies from dark Petrosia ficiformis Petrosia ficiformis Dysidea avara Dysidea sp. Massive, thick, irregular, undulating plate or fan, attached along a broad base to hard Massive, thin, flattened, single to multiple fans, with indented margins resembling a Large vase or floppy, sack-shaped sponges resembling mushy paper when wet. Often Spherical to oval sponges with a large exhalent opening on the upper surface and a by spongin fibres. red/burgundy (in (burgundy morph) (white morph) substrate. Margins and surfaces extremely harsh with long, projecting spicules. palm with fingers, to finger-forming sponges, with a generally smooth but collected as bits of 'sacking'. Outer walls smooth or conulose; inner walls smooth with 'beard' or 'fringe' of glass spicules that roots the sponge into sediment. Surface shallower areas) to Consistency is elastic. Coloration whitish to yellowish but some species have a pink, violet or Exhalent and inhalant openings not visible. Texture tough, flexible. Skeleton a harsh, microscopically roughened surface. Exhalent and inhalant openings on margins or exhalent perforations. Attached to substrate by a basal plate or into soft sediment smooth, covered in a distinctive, detachable network, with tufts of long spicules in off-white (in deeper and darker areas) whereas inner coloration is always off-white. Haliclona magna bluish tinge. The spikes are usually lighter in colour than the rest of the sponge. dense siliceous network. Colour in life white with grey overlay on margins from opposite faces. Texture tough, flexible. Skeleton a dense fibrous network. Colour in with a 'beard' of glass spicules. Texture soft like sacking or felt. Colour in life tan. some species. Internally cavernous. Texture tough, fibrous and slightly compressible. Farrea bowerbanki sediment trapped by spicules. life cream, tan, pale orange, deep orange. Colour in life tan. Size: up to 50 cm across Depth and substrate: 0–800 m; rocky bottom. Size: up to 40 cm in height Depth and substrate: 130–300 m; rock Size: up to 20–30 cm across Depth and substrate: 0–300 m; rocky bottom Size: up to 30 cm diameter Depth and substrate: 300–2 000 m; on rocky substrate Thenea species 'Hard as rock' sponge cups Honeycomb lace sponges (Hexactinosida, Aulocalycoida) Euplectellidae species Massive, tubular gold sponges (Aplysina spp.) Arborescent yellowish sponges (Antho dichotoma) Lamellate rock sponges (Leiodermatium pfeifferae) White funnel with finger-like projections (Aphrocallistes beatrix) The only exception are Massive sponges Stalked arborescent sponge, Erect sponges with a lamellate shape, with a cushion-like dichotomously branched (i.e. each from irregular to convoluted masses. Funnel-shaped sponge the carnivorous sponges base from which branch splits into two). The branches The convex (inhalant) side of the plate with lateral finger-like (family Cladorhizidae) several finger-like are flexible, much more so than the has many small evenly-distributed projections often directed that feed directly on tubes project. The stalk. Oscules are not clearly visible. ostia, whereas the concave (exhalant) towards the base. The top Sponges do not have tubes are somewhat Consistency is firm and texture is side has fewer larger elevated oscules. of the sponge is covered small crustaceans. The flattened at the finely hispid. Coloration is yellowish Consistency is rock-hard and texture is with a rigid network-like discrete 'tissues'; sponge skeleton is made top and bear a to light brown. rough. Colour is off-white to light brown plate. The surface has a Thenea sp. Leidermatium intermedia Microscleroderma herdmani Corallistes sp. Farrea spp. Auloplax sp. Aphrocallistes beatrix Euplectella spp. Regadrella spp. single large oscule. sometimes presenting a light blue tinge. very characteristic regular different cell types up of mineral (siliceous or Consistency is Size: ~ 1 to 7 cm Ø Depth: 238–1153 m Size: 2 to 40 cm Ø Depth: 3–375 m Size: 2 to 60 cm long Depth: 10–3875 m Size: up to 40 cm~ Depth: 172–4744 m hexagonal honeycomb perform the functions calcareous spicules) and/or somewhat flexible appearance. Consistency is Spaceship-shaped sponges with a distinctive rounded summit, separated from the Massive 'hard as rock' sponges forming wavy plates, cups, tubes or ears. Oscules and Rigid honeycomb sponges in vase, bush, or feathery, tree-like shapes, with a Vase-shaped sponges with a distinctive colander-like sieve-plate over the apex. Walls organic (spongin, collagen) and compressible. Aplysina aerophoba Aplysina aerophoba hard but fragile and texture of digestion, excretion, base by a narrow transverse mid-section recess, providing a specialised inhalant area. ostia often separated on opposite sides of the wall, or in a concave recess (Callipelta). distinctive tubular or flaring morphology, walls a regular or irregular perforated resemble basket-weave. Attached to hard substrate by a hard basal plate or into soft Texture is rubbery (freshly collected) (upon air exposure) is like rough sand paper. Live Oscules may be visible on upper surface. Rooting structures project from the ventral Attached by a narrow base or margin to hard substrate. Margins and upper surface 'netting' with larger perforations in some groups. Surface smooth, undulating or sediment with a 'beard' of glass spicules. Surface softly ridged around perforations or elements, although a few and slightly rugose. Colour is golden yellow when fresh, turning to greenish-blue black after a few coloration is bright white, Aphrocallistes beatrix Aphrocallistes beatrix reproduction and surface. Surface fleshy, rough. Texture soft, compressible. Skeleton with harsh, long, often hairy. Texture stony. Skeleton a rigid mass of interlocked spicules. Colour cream, ridged. Attached to hard substrate by a basal plate. Texture brittle, delicate, pumice- forms a beautiful tangential network. Texture floppy and fabric soft or stony minutes of exposure to air. Antho dichotoma Leiodermatium pfeifferae whereas dead tissue appears brown. (top view) (lateral view) radiating spicules. Colour beige to grey. tan. like when dry. Colour in life white, cream. crystalline. Colour in life tan. species lack a skeleton defence. A skeleton of altogether. The surface Size: up to 25 cm in height Depth and substrate: 0–300 m; rocky bottom. Size: up to 30 cm in height Depth and substrate: 0–800 m; rocky bottom Size: up to 1 m across Depth and substrate: 300–2 000 m; mixed or rock Size: up to 20 cm in height Depth and substrate: 300–2 000 m; on hard substrate, mineral silica or of the sponge holds often over corals or other sponge skeletons Geodiidae species calcium carbonate numerous inhalant and spicules and organic SIMILAR LOOKING GROUPS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS exhalant pores, known as Pine-tree sponge (Cladorhiza abyssicola) ostia and oscules, through ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS collagen provides This poster was produced with the support of the FAO- Erect sponge resembling a pine-tree, SIMILAR LOOKING GROUPS (ALGAE, ANTHOZOANS, BRYOZOANS, ASCIDIANS) Tiny ‘carnivorous’ demosponges resemble more robust sea fans; sea-fan octocorals have polyps. ‘Hard as Hexactinellids forming lacy networks look like perforated lace corals, but lace corals are composed which the water enters with a central axis from which several The authors of this poster are Joana Xavier (Biology support for these cells. rock’ demosponges look like stony corals, hydrocorals and lace corals (bryozoans), but these are tree- of tiny visible box animals. Hexactinellids forming rigid, hollow ‘trees’ or solid ‘sticks’ look like Norway Deep-Seas Fisheries Project (GCP/GLO/323/NOR). branches depart. Each branch may Branched, arborescent and Department and K. G. Jebsen Centre for Deep-Sea Research, shaped and often glass smooth and the lace corals are composed of tiny visible box animals. Lollipop and exits the sponge. The form, dimensions gorgonian corals, but these are flexible and have polyps. It was prepared by Michelle Kelly and Di Tracey of NIWA, Species identification is have secondary branches. Both flexible sponges can be easily University of Bergen, Noeway) and Marzia Bo (Dipartimento demosponges look like stalked sea squirts, but these form gelatinous ‘purses’ with two openings. New Zealand, under contract to FAO (Contract No. the axis and branches carry thin misidentified as gorgonian corals, per lo Studio del Territorio, dell’Ambiente e della Vita, and arrangement of primarily based on the filaments projected in all directions. University of Genoa, Italy). Numerous scientists are to be Similar looking groups to Class Demospongiae Similar looking groups to Class Hexactinellida 2016/HQR/FIAFC-CPA 323044), with significant input It attaches to the substrate by means but a close look will evidence Geodia sp. Geodia sp. acknowledged for their helpful comments and for image the spicules can help from Henry Reiswig (Royal British Columbia Museum), analyses of the skeleton, of root-like structures. Consistency the lack of polyps (one of the supply: Caterina Longo and Frine Cardone (University of with their Size: ~ 5 to 30 cm Ø Depth: 1–2260 m Sadie Mills, Rob Stewart, and Erika Mackay of NIWA alongside with external is firm, the branches are stiff and the principal body form occurring characteristics. Sponges texture is a bit harsh. White in colour. Bari), Maurizio Pansini and Marco Bertolino (University of Massive, spherical, turban- to cheese-shaped (supply of specimen images). Images were also supplied in the group of corals and Genoa), Manuel Maldonado (CSIC Blanes), Jordi Grinyó, Carlos identification. Sponge sponges, with a smooth or lobed, granular or hairy by Coral Reef Research Foundation, Republic of Palau and are divided into four chemicals are known surface. Several oscules on the apex separated from represented by a column with a Dominguez, and Andreu Santín (CSIC Barcelona), Francisca grouped ostia. Texture tough, eggshell-like, Cara Fiore, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, classes, of which two, crown of tentacles). Rock sponges Carvalho and Jon Hestetun (University of Bergen), Claudio Lo incompressible; softer inside, often pulling away for their potential U.S.A. Images are copyright of NIWA, CRRF and C. Fiore. the Demospongiae and Cladorhiza abyssicola are similar to scleractinian corals, Iacono (National Oceanography Centre Southampton), Jean from shell-like 'rind'. Skeleton dominated by hard Gorgonian Gorgonian Coralline algae Coralline algae Ascidian Bryozoan Vacelet, Nicole Boury-Esnault, and Maïa Fourt (IMBE and Aix- application to human eggshell-like rind, spicules radiate internally. Colour The illustration of the general structure of a sponge was Hexactinellida, are the most whereas glass sponges with a Size: up to 20 cm in Depth and substrate: 300–2 000 m; Marseille Université), Paco Cárdenas (University of Uppsala), cream, beige, tan, brown or grey. Gorgonian octocorals (sea-fans) Bryozoan (lace coral) Ascidians (sea squirts) Bryozoan (lace coral) Stony coral Stylasterid hydrocorals Ascidians (sea squirts) provided by E. Zaikova and S. Hallam. common and important in rigid, reticulated and white skeleton can be mistaken for hard corals and bryozoans. Globular, rigid sponges can be misidentified as contracted solitary or colonial ascidians especially when oscules are still evident. Rigid health and industry. height soft bottom. Vasilis Gerovasileiou (HCMR Athens), Eleni Voultsiadou (AUTH the deep-sea. sponges with a high density of spicules and cyanobacterial coverage can be mistaken for coralline algae. © FAO, 2016 - I6324EN/1/11.16 - 2016 FAO, © Thessaloniki), Javier Cristobo and Pilar Rios (IEO Gijón). © FAO, 2017 - I6324EN/1/11.16 © FAO,

AN EXAMPLE OF SPECIES IDENTIFICATION POSTERS FOR DEEP-SEA SPONGES OF THE INDIAN OCEAN AND THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA  www.fao.org/3/a-i6324e.pdf

CORAL, SPONGE, AND OTHER VME INDICATOR IDENTIFICATION GUIDES FOR THE NORTHWEST ATLANTIC AREA  archive.nafo.int/open/ studies/s47/s47.pdf

The FAO VME DataBase (http//www.fao.org/in-action/vulnerable-marine-ecosystems/background/ vme-tools/en/) contains some of the existing tools developed for the identification and protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) – including for sponges.

All photos courtesy of DFO, Canada

 [email protected]  deepseasponges.org  @DeepSeaSponges

 @DeepSea_Sponges ©FAO 2017 I7773EN/1/09.17