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 Discodermia sp. 1 Fig. 43 Diagnostic features. Massive columnar cluster, flattened tops of columns with one apical oscule on each. Smooth to rugose surface. Tan color with pale brown tops. Columns 2-3 cm wide and 10-15 cm tall. Figure 43. In-situ photograph of Discodermia sp. 1, 107 m deep. Photo code SP05. Similar species. The image of a Discodermia dissoluta specimen ( van Soest et al. 2014 ) shows a columnar growth form for the species. Spicule preparations would be necessary to determine the species identity of this sponge. Distribution and abundance. The genus Discodermia is common in deep waters at the tropical western Atlantic. Discodermia dissoluta is the most widespread distributed species of the genus in the region from the GOM to Brazil. At FGBNMS, rare to low (1-10) abundance at two sites. Ecology. Lower mesophotic reefs. Identification. KR, CA, SWK, MCD. Reference. van Soest et al. 2014 .