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 Author Diaz, Maria Cristina https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9485-0011 Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, FL, USA taxochica@gmail.com Author Nuttall, Marissa https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1384-8978 Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Galveston, TX, USA & CPC Inc, Galveston, TX, USA Author Pomponi, Shirley A. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4982-1515 Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, FL, USA Author Ruetzler, Klaus National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D. C., USA Author Klontz, Sarah Genetic Disease Research Branch, NHGRI, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA Author Adams, Christi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8411-4595 Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Galveston, TX, USA Author Hickerson, Emma L. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2595-8878 Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Galveston, TX, USA Author Schmahl, G. P. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5657-5204 Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Galveston, TX, USA text ZooKeys 2023 2023-05-11 1161 1 68 http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1161.93754 journal article http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1161.93754 1313-2970-1161-1 4CE0D6C5C3044F748387FCC71F8F8AC0 97BBCF0865EA537F8147171EA5BBA1B5 Erylus goffrilleri Wiedenmayer, 1977 Fig. 40 Diagnostic features. Massive amorphous to lobate. Dark brown color that lightens towards the base of the lobes. Smooth surface, slight wrinkles when out of water. One apical oscule, on top of each lobe (4-8 mm wide), with a paler colored membrane. Compressible but dense in consistency, easily breakable. Figure 40. Erylus goffrilleri 69 m deep. Sample GFOE3-32. Similar species. Several species of Erylus from the tropical western Atlantic are very similar in external appearance. The calthrop-like triaenes and the tylasters allows its distinction from co-occurring species. Distribution and abundance. Reported in shallow and mesophotic reefs in the Bahamas and Jamaica. First report of this species for the GOM at FGBNMS region, found at low abundance (1-10), at Geyer Bank. Ecology. Algal nodules. Identification. KR, CS, SWK, MCD. Reference. Wiedenmayer 1977 .