The abstract is read at the publisher; the summary is JClub's.
A new pseudo-cryptic Suberites species from the Balearic Islands is strongly supported by morphological and molecular affinities to Suberites domuncula, with six distinct colour morphotypes.
- Why it matters: Species delimitation in Mediterranean Suberites is difficult because morphology varies within species and diagnostic characters are scarce, while microbial symbionts may influence sponge traits.
- What they did: The study analyzed 43 Suberites specimens from 55–150 m across the Mediterranean Sea and North and South Atlantic Oceans using cytochrome c oxidase I, 28S rDNA, spicular complements, and 16S metabarcoding of symbiont communities.
- The result: Five closely related species were identified, and colour morphotypes showed significant differences in bacterial community composition, especially among pigment-producing bacteria, supporting a role for the microbiome in sponge colouration.
The findingWhy it mattersWhat they didThe result
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