Gastropod shell substrates of the florida hermit- crab sponge, spongosorites suberitoides, from the gulf of mexico

摘要

Certain suberitid and halichondrid sponges typically encrust gastropod shells that are often occupied by hermit crabs. In reports of the sponges in these associations the shell substrates are usually not identified. In this study, 643 Florida hermit-crab sponges, Spongosorites suberitoides, from the NE corner of the Gulf of Mexico were dissected And the shell substrate identified. Sponges were collected at shoreline or in shallow water Near shore on Dog Island, Florida and in water 3-4 m deep in Apalachee Bay from Janu- Ary 1993 to January 1995.