Dive 14 of the 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones expedition was dominated by sponges encrusting the sides of pillow lava rocks, both dead (brown) and live (white). These sponges were most commonly Euretidae sp. and occurred throughout the entire dive transect. Other sponge genera we encountered on this dive include yellow Hertwigia, white Aphrocallistes, and Polymastia, as well as other unknown species.
Sponges Encrusted on Pillow Lava
Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones: New England and Corner Rise Seamounts. Download larger version (jpg, 2 MB).

Dive 14 of the 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones expedition was dominated by sponges encrusting the sides of pillow lava rocks, both dead (brown) and live (white). These sponges were most commonly Euretidae sp. and occurred throughout the entire dive transect. Other sponge genera we encountered on this dive include yellow Hertwigia, white Aphrocallistes, and Polymastia, as well as other unknown species.

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