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 Dactylocalyx pumiceus Stutchbury, 1841 Fig. 64 Diagnostic features. Basal funnel expanded distally forming a plate, or a cup, with a wavy rim. Inner cup surface has elongated pits or grooves, several cm long, <1 cm wide. This sample has not yet been examined but the overall growth form points to this species. Figure 64. In-situ photo of Dactylocalyx pumiceus , 147 m deep. Sample GFOE3-24. Distribution and abundance. This is a species with great latitudinal distribution from Florida and Gulf of Mexico to Brazil, distributed along the western coast of the Atlantic Ocean between 300N and S, at depth of 91-1996 m. The species is also reported off the coast of Portugal. At FGBNMS the species was collected at Elvers Bank where it was found in low (1-10) abundance. Ecology. Lower mesophotic reef. Identification. MCD. Reference. Reiswig 2002 .