Comunidad críptica de esponjas del arrecife de Isla de Enmedio, Veracruz, México

The Structure of the community associated with eight species of sponges in Enmedio Reef. Veracruz, Mcxioo. was Sludicd Nindy-four species were found of nme phyla (Cnidaria, Platyhe:lminthes, Mollusca, Annelida. Arthropoda., Sipuncula. Priapulida, Echinodcnnata and Chordala). The arder of import.ance by the most frequent associates werc cruJlaceans. polychaetes, echinodenns and mollu.scs; by their abundance thc most important groups were polychaetes., crustaccans and cdlinodenns. The polychne1C Haplosyllis spongicola and the ophiurid Ophiaclb sQvignyi WC'I"C !he spec:ies with highest importance mnges. ireinla slrobilina and /. felix showed thc highest richness and species divcnity bccausc they had big iMer cbannels. Similarily lUlloog ayptic species of sponges was low, due to high species richness and lo sclectivily of the associales by lheir host lne species richness and abundances were higher wilh increasing sponge volume. and both dccrcasc:d wilh depth.