Theonella timmi Samaai, Pillay & Janson, 2019

Calcinai, Barbara, Belfiore, Giuseppe, Pica, Daniela, Torsani, Fabrizio, Palma, Marco & Cerrano, Carlo, 2020, Porifera from Ponta do Ouro (Mozambique), European Journal of Taxonomy 698, pp. 1-56 : 26-28

Theonella timmi Samaai, Pillay & Janson, 2019

Fig. 14 , Table 1

Theonella timmi Samaai, Pillay & Janson, 2019: 25 , fig. 9a–g.

Material examined

PONTA DO OURO • 1 fragment, irregular in shape, about 12 ×6× 3 cm, light blue; 26°49′29.579″ S, 32°53′51.072″ E; Blacks; 18 m deep; 13 Nov. 2015; Cerrano leg.; PdO17 • 1 rounded, brown fragment of about 4 cm; 26°45′41.04″ S, 32°54′7.144″ E; Texas; 11 m deep; 15 Nov. 2015; Cerrano leg.; PdO23 • 1 flat fragment brown in color, about 8 ×5× 1 cm; 26°49′50.408″ S, 32°53′45.974″ E; Doodles; 18 Nov. 2015; 18 m deep; Cerrano leg.; PdO26 • 2 flat, bluish fragments alcohol preserved, 2 fragments preserved dry; 26°50′36.881″ S, 32°54′54.471″ E; Atlantis; 6 Feb. 2017; 40.7 m deep; Cerrano leg.; PO18 • several dried (bluish) and alcohol preserved fragments; 26°50′36.881″ S, 32°54′54.475″ E; Atlantis ; 6 Feb. 2017; 40.7 m deep; Cerrano leg., PO19 • 1 small fragment of a few millimetres; 26°49′17.512″ S, 32°53′42.5″ E; Kev’s; 11 Feb. 2017; 22.4 m deep; Cerrano leg.; PO34 • small fragments; 26°49′17.512″ S, 32°53′42.503″ E; Kev’s; 11 Feb. 2017; 22.4 m deep; Cerrano leg.; PO35 • small fragments; 26°49′17.512″ S, 32°53′42.507″ E; Kev’s; 11 Feb. 2017; 22.4 m deep; Cerrano leg.; PO36 • very small fragment of a few millimitres; 26°49′19.119″ S, 32°54′9.82″ E; Green bubbles; 17 Mar. 2017; 41.5 m deep; Cerrano leg.; PO88 .

Description

Live sponge irregularly massive ( Fig. 14 A–D). Color from light or vivid blue to brown; the surface is often covered by epibionths which hide the superficial sponge color. The samples preserved in alcohol are beige with a greenish shade. The surface is uneven, the consistence is tough and uncompressible.

SKELETON. Ectosome consisting of phyllotriaenes and strongyles organized in a layer with numerous rhabds ( Fig. 14 E–F). Choanosome formed by tetraclone desmas and brushes of strongyles ( Fig. 14 G–H).

SPICULES. Phyllotriaenes 80–(139.1)– 185 µm ( Fig. 14 E–F); desmas tuberculate and with rounded tips 125–(201.6)–300 × 15–20 µm ( Fig. 14 G–H); smooth and slightly curved strongyles ( Fig. 14I ), 275– (355, 77.2)– 530 µm × 4. 8–(6.25, 1.3)– 8 µm, often with slightly enlarged extremities; rhabds ( Fig. 14J ) are straight or bent in the middle and microspined, 8–(14.5)– 19 µm.

Remarks

This sponge is widespread in the studied area; it fits with the species Theonella timmi as recently described by Samaai et al. (2019) from South Africa for its blue color, both interior and exterior, and for the shape and size of its spicules.

Figures

Fig. 14. Theonella timmi Samaai et al. 2019. A–D. The specimens PdO17, PO18, PO36 and PO19, respectively, in situ. E. Ectosome with phyllotriaenes and rhabds. F. Ectosomal skeleton with phyllotriaenes and rhabds (SEM). G. Tetraclone desmas of the choanosome. H. Tetraclone desmas of the choanosome (SEM). I. Strongyle and magnification of the tips. J. Bent rhabds.