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The competition of native sponges and the sun coral Tubastraea spp. does not influence the morphological pattern of a new Photis (Photidae: Senticaudata)

ABSTRACT In the marine environment competition between sessile organisms may influence habitat conditions for associated small invertebrates, acting as a selective pressure for individuals with suitable traits to select profitable habitats and leading individuals less adapted to occupy unfavourable habitats. Intraspecific competition may also influence the habitat selection of marine amphipods in different habitat conditions. In the present study, we describe a new Photis species (Photidae: Senticaudata) and analyse its morphological variation influenced by different habitat conditions. Photis oxalai sp. nov. is unique in showing the male gnathopod 1 propodus ventral margin rounded with a spine near the hinge of the dactylus and male gnathopod 2 propodus palm with three pronounced spines and a mesial excavation. This is the first record of the genus in Bahia State. We compared individuals associated with sponges in direct competition with Tubastraea spp. (Scleractinia: Dendrophylliidae) and individuals associated with sponges that were established free from this interaction, analysing morphological traits influenced by the competition between hosts. We did not record any differences in morphological patterns; therefore, the pattern of morphological variation among individuals is not influenced by habitat conditions that emerged from the competition of the host with the sun coral. Photis oxalaisp. nov. shows a generalist behaviour in habitat selection at the local scale, suggesting that this species may not be a profitable model for studying the influence of the sun coral on native communities. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3A5483E5-F096-4D91-B9FB-27A120F1E00A