Sarcotragus purpureus, Sim & Lee & Kim, 2016

Sim, Chung Ja, Lee, Kyung Jin & Kim, Hyung June, 2016, Ten new species of genus Sarcotragus (Demospongiae: Dictyoceratida: Irciniidae) from Korea, Journal of Species Research 5 (3), pp. 443-458 : 452

7. Sarcotragus purpureus n. sp. ( Fig. 8 )

Type specimen. Holotype (NIBRIV0000325795), Korea: Gapado Island, Daejeong­eup, Seogwipo­si , Jeju­do, 5 Jul 2015, Kim BI, by SCUBA, Depth 15­18 m, deposited in the NIBR.

Description. Irregular mass, size up to 14 × 9 × 7 cm. Surface covered with filamentous membrane and row conules. Many other animals appeared on surface. Filamentous membrane mixed with fine fibres. Oscules not distinct. Colour pale purple in life. Texture soft and compressible.

Skeleton: Skeletal fibres very loosely arranged, all fibres with large and small perforation. Primary fibres, 400­900­1900 μm in diameter, cylindrical fascicles with large mesh net ( Fig. 8F ). Wads of filaments on primary fibre fascicles easily come out from fibres because large mesh net. Primary fibres at the base of sponge are very thick and dense fascicles ( Fig. 8G ). Secondary fibres, 250­400 μm in diameter under surface membrane, and 600­1000 μm in diameter at the base. Filaments, 5 μm in diameter, terminal knobs, 10­13 μm in diameter.

Etymology. This species name purpureus is named after purple colour of sponge.

Remark. This new species is characterized by cylinder shape of primary fibres fascicles with large mesh net. Cylindrical fascicles are filled with wads of filaments, but easily come out from the fibres.

Figures

Fig. 8. Sarcotragus purpureus n. sp. A, entire animal; B, surface skeletal structure; C, primary fibres fascicle; D, end of primary fibres fas­ cicle; E, thin primary and secondary fibres; F, cylindrical primary fibres; G, thick primary fascicles at the base of sponge; H, choanosome skeletal structure. Scale bars: A=4 cm, B=200 μm, C-H=100 μm.