Abstract Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems (MCE) represent a new realm of unexplored habitats
that range from 30-100m deep. Given the worldwide coral reef decline, MCE research has
created great expectations because of their potential as refugia and as a viable source of
larvae and nursery for commercial and endangered reef species. Within these deep reef
systems sponges play an important ecological role in terms of abundance and richness of
species, coupling water column productivity to the benthos and providing rugosity …