Pseudospongosorites

Pseudospongosorites is a genus of sea sponges belonging to the family Suberitidae. Currently, the genus is considered as monotypic, consisting of a single species Pseudospongosorites suberitoides. It is found in the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and on the Atlantic coast of the United States as far north as North Carolina. This species is known by the common name Florida hermit crab sponge, so named because hermit crabs often use it as shelter.

== Taxonomy == Pseudospongosorites suberitoides was originally thought to represent a species in the genus Suberites, due to its superficial resemblance and similar ecology. Suberites contains nearly all other sponges known as the 'hermit crab sponges,' most notably Suberites domuncula. However the Suberites hermit crab sponges are only found in deep water greater than 20m, while Pseudospongosorites suberitoides is usually found in shallow water near shore. In 1993 the species was named as a species in the genus Spongosorites, under the family Halichondriidae and order Halichondrida, with its similarities to Suberites attributed to convergent evolution. Genetic work in 2002 led to its current classification as the sole member of a new genus under family Suberitidae and order Hadromerida.