Niphates erecta Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864

Campos, Maurício, Mothes, Beatriz, Eckert, Rafael, Van, Rob W. M. & Soest, 2005, Haplosclerida (Porifera: Demospongiae) from the coast of Maranhão State, Brazil, Southwestern Atlantic, Zootaxa 963, pp. 1-22 : 8-9

Niphates erecta Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864

Figs. 5 A–D, Tab. II

Niphates erecta Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864: 93 , pl. XXI, Fig. 3 ; Wiedenmayer, 1977: 96, pl. XX, Figs. 7–8 , pl. XXI, Figs. 1–4, text­fig. 119; Van Soest, 1980: 35, Fig. 12, pl. V, Figs. 2–4 ; Zea, 1987: 81, Fig. 21, pl. VIII, Figs. 1–3; Lehnert & Van Soest, 1998: 92.

Further synonymy: see Wiedenmayer (1977), Van Soest (1980) and Zea (1987).

Examined material. MCNPOR 5313, 5317, 5323, 5356, 72 m, 00°22’N – 44°52’W, 17.VII.2001 (MCNPOR 5317: fragment deposited in ZMAPOR 17907); MCNPOR 4971, 5004, 94 m, 00°35’12”S – 43°20’55”W, 14.VI.1999.

Material studied for comparison. Niphates erecta Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864 : Lectotype ZMAPOR 1633; ZMAPOR 3621 Curaçao (material deposited in MCNPOR 2585).

Description. Fragment of a solid branch from a ramose sponge ( Fig. 5 A): 9.5 cm long, 5 cm in diameter (MCNPOR 5317). Smooth surface, rough to the touch, oscules circular, 2–4 mm in diameter, scattered on the surface. Preserved material compressible but firm consistency, colour light­brown.

Skeleton. Similar to descriptions of Van Soest (1980) and Zea (1987). Ectosome: Rounded to polygonal reticulation ( Fig. 5 B), 130– 228 –510 µm in diameter; multispicular fibres 30–97.2–210 µm in diameter. Choanosome: A relatively dense reticulation forming rounded or angular meshes ( Fig. 5 C), 80– 282 –510 µm in diameter. Multispicular primary fibres, 70– 102. 8 –160 µm in diameter; uni­ to paucispicular secondary fibres, 20– 38. 8 –60 µm in diameter.

Spicules. Oxeas ( Fig. 5 D): slightly curved, extremities stepped, some acerate or conical. Measurements: 147.5– 175. 7 –187.5 / 2.5– 4. 1 –5 µm (MCNPOR 5313); 150– 186. 4 – 212.5 / 2.5– 5. 2 –7.5 µm (MCNPOR 5317); 130– 187. 4 –225 / 2.5– 4 .3–5 µm (MCNPOR 5323); 107– 178. 5 –235 / 3.8– 4 .9–5 µm (MCNPOR 5356); 152.5– 192. 8 –227.5 / 2.5– 5. 8 – 10 µm (MCNPOR 4971); 163.3– 198. 7 –223.1 / 3.5– 6 –8.1 µm (MCNPOR 5004).

Remarks. In the studied samples the sigmata are absent. The rarity or absence of the microscleres is a peculiar feature of this species (cf. Van Soest, 1980). According Zea (in litt.), the tracts are not as dense as in the Colombian samples.

Distribution. West Atlantic: Bermuda to Venezuela ( Zea, 1987). Brazilian coast: Maranhão State (present study); Recife, Pernambuco State ( Hechtel, 1976).

Figures

FIGURE 2. Callyspongia (Cladochalina) vaginalis (Lamarck, 1814). A, sample (scale: 5 cm). B, tangential view of ectosome (scale: 200 µm). C, perpendicular section of choanosome (scale: 300 µm). D, line drawings of oxeas (scale: 50 µm).

FIGURE 3. Haliclona (Halichoclona) lernerae sp. nov. A, sample (scale: 3 cm). B, tangential view of ectosome (scale: 200 µm). C, perpendicular section of choanosome (scale: 300 µm). D, line drawings of oxeas (scale: 50 µm).

FIGURE 4. Amphimedon caribica (Pulitzer­Finali, 1986). A, sample (scale: 3 cm). B, tangential view of ectosome (scale: 200 µm). C, perpendicular section of choanosome (scale: 300 µm). D, line drawings of oxeas (scale: 50 µm).

FIGURE 5. Niphates erecta Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864. A, sample (scale: 3 cm). B, tangential view of ectosome (scale: 200 µm). C, perpendicular section of choanosome (scale: 300 µm). D, line drawings of oxeas (scale: 50 µm).

FIGURE 7. Oceanapia bartschi (De Laubenfels, 1934). A, sample (scale: 5 cm). B, tangential view of ectosome (scale: 300 µm). C, perpendicular section of choanosome (scale: 300 µm). D, tangential view of smaller fistule (scale: 200 µm). E, tangential view of bigger fistule (scale: 200 µm). F, line drawings of strongyles (scale: 50 µm).

FIGURE 8. Neopetrosia proxima (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864). A, sample (scale: 3 cm). B, tangential view of ectosome (scale: 300 µm). C, perpendicular section of choanosome (scale: 300 µm). D, line drawings of oxeas (scale: 50 µm).