摘要：The hydroids belonging to the family Stylasteridae are considered habitat-forming species due to their rigid and branched calcareous skeleton, producing structurally complex habitats which support a high taxonomic diversity of associated fauna. Numerous organisms, such as gastropods, polychaetes, barnacles and other invertebrates, were found in association with dead or living colonies of stylasterids. No specific studies have previously been dedicated to the diversity of sponges in association with these corals. In this study 15 sponge species were found in the coenosteum of Distichopora spp. (ten boring and five insinuating species) and one boring species was associated with Stylaster sp. In Distichopora species the sponges were mainly localized into the dead basal portion of the colonies that is overgrown by algae or bryozoans. Only Aka labyrinthica was found inside the skeleton of the living portion of the colonies, being able to compete with the coenosteal stolon network that pervades the carbonatic skeleton. Nevertheless, in Distichopora spp. colonies no coral reaction to the sponge colonisation was observed. The basal portions of the Stylaster sp. colonies, enveloped by the massive specimens of Spheciospongia cf. solida, were completely demolished by the boring activity of the sponge, while the apical portions were alive. The sponge incorporated the coral skeleton and its tissue penetrated into the coral through the coenosteal pores. Stylaster sp. presented a reaction to prevent the penetration of the sponge: hydranths were regressed and calcium carbonate septa were formed, in order to close the gastropores of the coral, indicating a wide plasticity and quick mineralization of the coenosteum.
