| Autor: |
Göcke C; Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Senckenberg, Senckenberganlage 25, D-60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany Museum für Naturkunde, Münsterstraße 271, D-44145 Dortmund, Germany; Email: unknown., Hestetun JT; Department of Biology and Centre for Geobiology, University of Bergen, P. O. Box 7803, N-5020 Bergen, Norway; Email: unknown., Uhlir C; Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Senckenberg, Senckenberganlage 25, D-60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Email: unknown., Freiwald A; Senckenberg am Meer, Marine Research Department, Südstrand 40, D-26382 Wilhelmshaven, Germany MARUM, Bremen University, Leobener Str., D-28359 Bremen, Germany; Email: unknown., Beuck L; Senckenberg am Meer, Marine Research Department, Südstrand 40, D-26382 Wilhelmshaven, Germany; Email: unknown., Janussen D; Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Senckenberg, Senckenberganlage 25, D-60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Email: dorte.janussen@senckenberg.de. |
| Abstrakt: |
In this study, we describe a new species of cladorhizid sponge, which shows a very peculiar mode of life: It always occurs in association with the scleractinian cold-water corals Lophelia pertusa and Madrepora oculata. Although the sponge lives in nutrient-rich areas, we document its carnivorous feeding behavior. The identity of the new species was verified using molecular markers: the species is very closely related to the North-Atlantic Cladorhiza abyssicola, but it differs distinctly, and forms a monophyletic clade. The two species might be considered very close relatives, probably sister species deriving from a common ancestor. |
