Xestospongia bergquistia
# Xestospongia bergquistia

Xestospongia bergquistia is a species of barrel sponge in the family Petrosiidae first described by Jane Fromont in 1991. The species epithet, bergquistia, honours the New Zealand sponge specialist, Patricia Bergquist.

## Habitat

X. bergquistia occurs at depths of 5–15 m in full light on substrates of rock or dead coral.

## Description

X. bergquistia is an erect, red-brown, cup-shaped sponge, with vertical ridges on the outer surface. The sponge varies in size from 15 cm to 1.5 m high, with the cup at its apex forming a central hollow up to one third its height. It is a firm but springy sponge.

