This work deals with haplosclerid sponges off the coast of Maranhão State, northeastern coast of Brazilian shelf (southwestern Atlantic). A new species is described, Haliclona (Halichoclona) lernerae. Four species are recorded for the first time for the Brazilian coast: Amphimedon caribica (Pulitzer-Finali, 1986); Niphates lutea Lehnert & Van Soest, 1999; Neopetrosia subtriangularis (Duchassaing, 1850) and Petrosia (Petrosia) weinbergi Van Soest, 1980. Three species were recollected from the southwestern Atlantic and have their geographic distribution extended on the Brazilian coast: Callyspongia (Cladochalina) vaginalis (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864), Oceanapia bartschi (De Laubenfels, 1934) and Xestospongia muta (Schmidt, 1870). Two species were collected for the first time from the Maranhão State Coast: Niphates erecta Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864 and Neopetrosia proxima (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864). A taxonomic study of those samples is given, including description, illustrations and geographic distribution.
Latrunculia (Latrunculia) tetraverticillata sp. nov. is described after two specimens collected off the coast of Santa Catarina State (29º11'16"S-47º54'16"W), from a depth of 420 m. The new species differs from the other extant latrunculiid species in having four whorls along the discorhabd axis. A key to the Southwestern Atlantic species of Latrunculia (Latrunculia) is provided.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.