Sponge biodiversity of the Jason Islands and Stanley, Falkland Islands with descriptions of twelve new species

Abstract

Sponge samples were taken by SCUBA diving from four sites around Stanley and nine sites at the Jason Islands in the Falkland Islands. Twelve new species are described: Iophon pictoni sp. nov., Lissodendoryx (Ectyodoryx) jasonensis sp. nov., Phorbas ferrugineus sp. nov., Phorbas shackletoni sp. nov., Myxilla (Styloptilon) acanthotornota sp. nov., Amphilectus fleecei sp. nov., Amphilectus dactylus sp. nov., Mycale (Aegogropila) nodulosa sp. nov., Scopalina erubescens sp. nov., Scopalina bunkeri sp. nov., Amphimedon calyx sp. nov. and Pachychalina erinacea sp. nov. Information is also provided on the distribution and external appearance of other sponge species: Iophon proximum Ridley, 1881, Clathria (Dendrocia) tuberculata Burton, 1934, Tedania (Tedania) mucosa Thiele, 1905, Tedania (Tedania) murdochi Topsent, 1915, Halichondria (Eumastia) attenuata Topsent, 1915, Siphonochalina fortis Ridley, 1881 and Haliclona (Soestella) chilensis Thiele, 1905. The biogeography of the Falklands' sponge fauna is discussed.

Acarnidae (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Mexican Pacific Ocean with the description of six new species

“…The morphology of this microsclere has been described before (see Boury-Esnault and Rützler 1997). Recently, Goodwin et al (2012) described a new species of the genus Iophon from South Georgia (I. husvikensis). The bipocillae shown in this species is most likely an anchoratemultidentate chela instead of a real bipocillae.…”

Sponges of the family Esperiopsidae (Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida) from Northwest Africa, with the descriptions of four new species.

“…Thiele (1905) recorded it from Chile. Goodwin et al (2011) described two new Amphilectus species from the Falkland Islands, which appear to cover the Burton and Thiele records. Bergquist & Fromont (1988) recorded the European species Esperiopsis normani (Bowerbank, 1866) and Esperiopsis edwardii (Bowerbank, 1866) from New Zealand waters, but both are now considered junior synonyms of Amphilectus fucorum.…”

Sponge biodiversity of Beauchêne and the Sea Lion Islands and south-east East Falkland, Falkland Islands, with a description of nine new species

“…We recorded it from Sea Lion Island (photographic record) indicating that it is widespread but not very common in the Falkland Islands. Goodwin, Jones, Neely & Brickle, 2011 Remarks This sponge is an encrusting species with a distinctive peach colour and connulose surface, it is possible to recognize in situ as no other local species share these characteristics. The type locality of this species is Stanley, East Falkland and the Jason Islands, north-west of West Falkland.…”

“…This extends the known distribution of this species significantly to the south. Order HALICHONDRIDA Gray, 1867 Family DICTYONELLIDAE Van Soest, Diaz & Pomponi, 1990Genus Scopalina Schmidt, 1862 Scopalina bunkeri Goodwin, Jones, Neely & Brickle, 2011 Remarks This sponge is a thinly encrusting species with a distinctive rusty red colour and spiky surface. Consequently, it is possible to recognize in situ as no other local species share these characteristics.…”

“…Recent work has revealed the potential for studying sponge biodiversity through diving surveys (Boury-Esnault, 1971;Wiedenmayer, 1977;Pansini, 1987;Picton & Goodwin, 2007;Goodwin & Picton, 2009;Willenz et al, 2009;Goodwin et al, 2011), particularly in areas where many species are small and in habitats which are difficult to sample by other means (Vacelet & Perez, 1998). Sampling by scuba diving enables the study of bedrock habitats and encrusting species which are likely to be under-sampled by remote methods and consequently has the potential to significantly increase the number of species recorded (Picton & Goodwin, 2007;Goodwin & Picton, 2009).…”