Mediterranean Coral Provinces as a Sponge Diversity Reservoir: Is There a Mediterranean Cold-Water Coral Sponge Fauna?

Cold-water coral reefs (CWC) are known to be biodiversity hotspots, however, the sponge assemblages found dwell within these habitats haven not been studied in depth date Mediterranean Sea. The present article provides first insight on associated fauna of recently discovered CWC communities Catalan Margin and, a lesser extent, Cabliers Coral Mound Province, while also reviewing current knowledge dwelling all provinces. In regards areas, some rare species cited for time or redescribed, two them, Hamacantha (Hamacantha) hortae sp. nov. and Spongosorites cabliersi new science. At basin scale, appear as poriferan yet diversity values each site rather represent small fraction its actual fauna. Additionally, existence an endemic exclusively is refuted. Nonetheless, thriving appears unique, different from that other Atlantic regions. Finally, with knowledge, grouped three distinguishable clusters (Alboran Sea, Western Eastern Mediterranean), which determined by basins water circulation, specially Levantine Intermediate Water following western-eastern pattern Strait Gibraltar Adriatic Overall, living still poorly explored most they good candidates biogeographical studies. Zoobank Registration: LSID urn:lsid: zoobank.org :pub:E58A3DFF-EDC5-44FC-A274-1C9508BF8D15.