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Deep seamounts are biodiversity hotspots that are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities. They harbor various sessile, floating organisms such as sponges and anthozoans, which are crucial to seamount ecosystems as they form three-dimensional habitats used by numerous other animals. Therefore, the accurate identification of seamount fauna, especially sessile, floating organisms, is of utmost importance for sustainable conservation efforts
Parazoanthidae, are characterized by a symbiotic relationship with massive hexasterophores and demospongiae sponges.
The new species was already found by ROV on a glass sponge (Farrea sp.) attached to rocks on the summit of hoho Seamount, Nishi-Shichito Ridge, Japan on 299.11.2020.
The living polyps and tentacles of Vitrumanthus flosculus are transparent and yellowish in color and have 22 - 26 tentacles.
Individual or colonial polyps protrude irregularly from the overall three-dimensional structure of the hexasterophore host sponge, with the base of the polyps embedded in the tissue of the sponge.
Etymology: The species name “flosculus” means 'little flower' or 'little blossom' in Latin.
Kise H, Reimer JD, Iguchi A, Ise Y, Tsuchida S, Fujiwara Y (2024)
Parazoanthidae (Cnidaria, Zoantharia) associated with glass sponges on the Nishi-Shichito Ridge, northwestern Pacific Ocean, with the description o
Kise H, Reimer JD, Iguchi A, Ise Y, Tsuchida S, Fujiwara Y (2024)
Parazoanthidae (Cnidaria, Zoantharia) associated with glass sponges on the Nishi-Shichito Ridge, northwestern Pacific Ocean, with the description of a new species.
ZooKeys 1221: 343-362. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1221.131258
Parazoanthidae, are characterized by a symbiotic relationship with massive hexasterophores and demospongiae sponges.
The new species was already found by ROV on a glass sponge (Farrea sp.) attached to rocks on the summit of hoho Seamount, Nishi-Shichito Ridge, Japan on 299.11.2020.
The living polyps and tentacles of Vitrumanthus flosculus are transparent and yellowish in color and have 22 - 26 tentacles.
Individual or colonial polyps protrude irregularly from the overall three-dimensional structure of the hexasterophore host sponge, with the base of the polyps embedded in the tissue of the sponge.
Etymology: The species name “flosculus” means 'little flower' or 'little blossom' in Latin.
Kise H, Reimer JD, Iguchi A, Ise Y, Tsuchida S, Fujiwara Y (2024)
Parazoanthidae (Cnidaria, Zoantharia) associated with glass sponges on the Nishi-Shichito Ridge, northwestern Pacific Ocean, with the description o
Kise H, Reimer JD, Iguchi A, Ise Y, Tsuchida S, Fujiwara Y (2024)
Parazoanthidae (Cnidaria, Zoantharia) associated with glass sponges on the Nishi-Shichito Ridge, northwestern Pacific Ocean, with the description of a new species.
ZooKeys 1221: 343-362. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1221.131258
