Aaptos aaptos var. nigra Lévi, 1961

Van Soest, Rob W. M., 2024, Correcting sponge names: nomenclatural update of lower taxa level Porifera, Zootaxa 5398 (1), pp. 1-122 : 80

Aaptos aaptos var. nigra Lévi, 1961

Aaptos aaptos var. nigra Lévi, 1961b: 131 (no illustration).

The variety was described by Lévi from Nha Trang, SE Vietnam, approximate coordinates 11.5°N 109°E, intertidal (type material presumably in MNHN), differing from the Mediterranean typical variety described by Schmidt (1864: 33, pl, IV fig. 11, as Ancorina from Lagosta, Adriatic, approximate coordinates 42.7333°N 16.6666°E, lectotype LMJG 15705) in a.o. its black color. The present specimen is currently suggested in the WPD to belong to Aaptos suberitoides ( Brøndsted, 1934: 24, as Stylotella , described from Mansfield Island, Papua and New Guinea, 0.7167°N 130.6833°E, depth not provided, holotype RBINS POR.046, cf. Willenz, 1994: 10), but Lévi’s description is sufficiently clear to assume that it was conspecific with Aaptos lobata Calcinai, Bastan, Bertolino & Pansini, 2017 (described from Bunaken Island, Indonesia, 1.6333°N 124.7667°E, depth 20 m, holotype MSNG 60134) rather than A. suberitoides , as that species has not been sufficiently described or redescribed to be entirely certain of its properties. Although A. lobata is described as orange in situ, it changes to a dark colour in alcohol, whereas Lévi’s specimen was examined in preserved condition making it likely that it was also lighter colored in situ. Spicule sizes conform closely. Thus, A. lobata is proposed to be the identity of Lévi’s specimen.

Since Lévi’s variety was described after 1960 the name is deemed infrasubspecific and as such is not regulated by the Code (ICZN art. 15.2), and is in fact unavailable. A further reason for unavailability would be that the combination is a junior primary homonym of Aaptos aaptos var. nigra Topsent, 1934 from Tunisia (see below), although unavailable names do not enter in homonymy (ICZN art.54.1).