Iophon proximus var. reticularis Hentschel, 1914

Van Soest, Rob W. M., 2024, Correcting sponge names: nomenclatural update of lower taxa level Porifera, Zootaxa 5398 (1), pp. 1-122 : 70

Iophon proximus var. reticularis Hentschel, 1914

Iophon proximus var. reticularis Hentschel, 1914: 89 (no illustration).

The variety consisting of two fragments was described by Hentschel from Observatory Bay, Kerguelen Islands, approximate coordinates 49.2°S 69.7°E, depth not given (syntype ZMB 4805) (not from Gauss Station as Desqueyroux-Faúndez & Van Soest 1997: 10 erroneously stated). It was erected because it resembled in most details of shape and skeleton Iophon proximum ( Ridley, 1881: 119 as Alebion , described from Sandy Point, Chile, 53.16°S 70.87°W, depth 13–19 m, holotype BMNH 1879.12.27.5), but lacked bipocillae. It is a dubious difference because several species of Iophon of different shapes and skeletal characters have been observed to lack the bipocillae. Similar to the above discussed Iophon frigidum Lundbeck, 1905 , it is not easily determined if the lack of bipocillae is evidence of specific distinctness. Prudence dictates that the two varieties are to be given the benefit of the doubt and should be distinguished at the species level until molecular evidence is available. Accordingly, I propose to elevate the present variety to the species Iophon reticulare Hentschel, 1914 .