Xestospongia kapne Carvalho, Lopes, Cosme & Hajdu, 2016

Rocha, Lívia, Moraes, Fernando, Salani, Sula & Hajdu, Eduardo, 2021, Taxonomy of Petrosiidae Van Soest, 1980 (Haplosclerida, Porifera) from Brazil, Zootaxa 5004 (2), pp. 251-287 : 274

Xestospongia kapne Carvalho, Lopes, Cosme & Hajdu, 2016

Studied material: Holotype, Brazil, off Rio de Janeiro State: MNRJ 13541 , Caratinga Oil Field (22.623° S, 40.264° W, Campos Basin ), 923 m depth, Col. ROV from the R / V ‘Toisa Conqueror’, 2006.3.12.

Diagnosis. Massive, robust, barrel- or chimney-shaped (clusters of up to three chimneys), with an irregular contour, up to 50 cm tall, and a large apical pseudo-oscule. Surface with lobular projections and shallow depressions or gaps, and rough texture. Ectosome with a loose reticulation made by the tangentially disposed spicules of the terminal tufts of ascending choanosomal spiculo-fibers, with meshes seen here and there (140–250 μm diam). Cho- anosome a reticulation, clearly visible only in some areas, overlaid by abundant oxeas in confusion. Meshes only seldom observed (200–400 μm diam). Unclear distinction between primary and secondary fibres. Oxeas, relatively robust, usually slightly curved, tapering gradually, 204–301 x 11–14 μm [adapted from Carvalho et al. 2016].

Description. Refer to Carvalho et al. (2016).

Distribution. Provisional Brazilian endemic, so far known only from off the State of Rio de Janeiro (Campos Basin).