Díaz, M.C.; Thacker, R.W.; Redmond, N.E.; Pérez, T.; Collins, A.G. (2015). Vansoestia caribensis gen. nov., sp. nov.: first report of the family Ianthellidae (Verongida, Demospongiae) in the Caribbean. Zootaxa. 3956(3): 403-412.

197612

10.11646/zootaxa.3956.3.5 [view]

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:25F9FA82-28BA-4C94-8EF5-D0EE88B0B48E [view]

Díaz, M.C.; Thacker, R.W.; Redmond, N.E.; Pérez, T.; Collins, A.G.

2015

3956(3): 403-412

Publication

http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3956.3.5

Available for editors   [request]

A thin fiber-less sponge from Caribbean reefs (Bocas del Toro, Panama) with close genetic affinities (based on 18S and 28S nuclear ribosomal RNA gene sequences) to large fan-shaped fiber-bearing sponges (Ianthella and Anomoianthella) from the Indo-Pacific Ocean is here presented. We describe its overall external morphology, histological features, and ultrastructure. Its genetic distance from the only previously known fiber-less verongid genus, Hexadella, prompted the need to erect a new genus to classify this species. This novel species constitutes the first record for a member of the family Ianthellidae in the Caribbean. The characterization of the family Ianthellidae (sensu Cook and Bergquist, 2000) is here modified by: i) highlighting the cavernous nature of the choanosome, with many lacunae and channels reported for all genera included in the family; ii) extending the family distribution to the Caribbean; and iii) adding a fourth genus to the group of verongids with eurypylous chambers. The possession of a cellularized cortex (10–300 µm in thickness) is here proposed as a potential synapomorphic character of the Ianthella–Anomoianthella–Vansoestia clade. The main issues regarding the suprageneric classification of verongids are discussed.

Caribbean region

Systematics, Taxonomy

Porifera

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