Drulia cristata (Weltner, 1895)

(Figure 2)

Parmula cristata Weltner, 1895: 143; Penney 1960: 55. For other synonyms see Muricy et al. (2011).

Material studied. UFPEPOR1117 (in part), 1118 (in part), São Francisco River (III), Petrolândia, Pernambuco, Brazil, 09°08'37.1"S 38°17'48.9"W, coll. E.L.R. Lima, 19.v.2010. UFPEPOR1300, São Francisco River (II), Santa Maria da Boa Vista, Pernambuco, Brazil, 08°48'31.5"S 39°49'59.5"W, coll. L.R.C. Lima, 07.x.2011.

General morphology. Encrusting sponge measuring 1cm de diameter, brown colour. Spicules. Megascleres slightly curved (372–468/35–48µm), robust, smooth strongyles (Fig. 2 a,b). Microscleres microspined straight, acanthoxeas (78–123/3–6µm), middle spines (3–6µm) tapered (Fig. 2 c,d). Gemmules are hemispherical raging 384–540µm in diameter (Fig. 2 e). Gemmular theca made by thin layer consisting of spongin, where gemmuloscleres are embedded tangentially (Fig. 2 e).

Distribution and ecological notes. Brazil (Muricy et al. 2011); Venezuela (Volkmer-Ribeiro & Pauls 2000). Specimens were found on rocky substrate in running waters along with Uruguaya corallioides (Bowerbank, 1863), Corvospongilla seckti Bonetto & Ezcurra de Drago, 1966 and Oncosclera navicella (Carter, 1881) .

Remarks. We provide here, the second record of Drulia cristata for São Francisco River basin, where it was previously recorded for Sergipe State (Volkmer-Ribeiro & Tavares 1995).