Caulophacus (Oxydiscus) weddelli Janussen, Tabachnick & Tendal, 2004

Janussen, Dorte & Reiswig, Henry M., 2009, Hexactinellida (Porifera) from the ANDEEP III Expedition to the Weddell Sea, Antarctica, Zootaxa 2136, pp. 1-20 : 16

Caulophacus (Oxydiscus) weddelli Janussen, Tabachnick & Tendal, 2004

( Fig. 9 )

Material examined: SMF 10527, ANDEEP III Exped., R.V. 'Polarstern', stn PS67/094-11, Weddell Sea, Antarctica , 0 2 Mar. 2005, 66°38.05'S, 27°05.90'W to 66°38.10'S, 27°05.46'W, 4893–4894 m, ethanol.

Description and remarks: The second known specimen of this species is nearly complete in its upper part, but is lacking most of the stalk ( Fig. 9 A). It is a stalked funnel, similar in form to the type specimen collected in 2002 on the ANDEEP II Expedition ( Janussen et al., 2004), but much larger, 201 x 136 mm. Spiculation is identical to that of the type material, with the same dermal pinule ( Fig. 9 B), but with addition of a few onychohexaster microscleres ( Fig. 9 C). The new collection location is 446 km southwest of the type location at a similar depth.

Figures

FIGURE 9. Caulophacus (Oxydiscus) weddelli (SMF 10527). A. Deck photograph. B. Dermal pinule (SEM). C. Microsclere with onychoid tip (arrow) (SEM).