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A recent discovery of freshwater sponges in an unexplored hydrographic basin in north-western Australia provided the opportunity to investigate the genusCorvospongillaAnnandale (Spongillida: Spongillidae) using integrative systematics. Emendation of the genus diagnosis is provided. A comparative analysis of aCorvospongillaglobal dataset of morphological traits together with biogeographic patterns disclosed a new AustralasianCorvospongillaspecies and along with molecular analyses provided the basis for a phylogenetic and phylogeographic tree for some Asian, Afrotropical and Australasian lineages.

This paper focuses on the skeletal architecture and morphotraits of the Mediterranean horny sponge Sarcotragus spinosulus (Demospongiae, Keratosa, Dictyoceratida, Irciniidae). This special endoskeletal system consists of a dense, variably complex connective architecture, which extends throughout the entire sponge body and is embedded in an abundant jelly-like extracellular matrix (ECM). To investigate the topographic arrangement and micro-morphotraits of these connective structures in detail and by colour, also during morphogenetic processes, histology techniques using light microscopy are essential. New information is provided on the coordinated morphogenetic processes that characterize the growth and assembly of collagenic prototype structures in the matrix of fibrous skeletal elements and drive skeleton remodelling. Our results also highlight some novelties and some remarkable peculiarities of fibrous, filamentous and fibrillar components at the levels of both composition and structure. The morphofunctional significance of skeletal architecture is suggested in the background of the anatomical complexity of S. spinosulus.

We report on the relationships between some conspicuous Mediterranean photophilous sponge species and Caulerpa cylindracea, a non-indigenous species. A diversification of defence strategies and behaviour is highlighted in target species belonging to different orders of Demospongiae from a western Mediterranean Marine Protected Area (NW Sardinian Sea). Caulerpa cylindracea displays a strongly invasive behaviour during body colonization of the Irciniidae Sarcotragus spinosulus and Ircinia retidermata (order Dictyoceratida). These sponges possess pre-adaptive defensive morpho-functional and physiological traits enabling them to partly withstand algal invasion. Also Aplysina aerophoba (order Verongiida) seems to be able to control colonization. Successful anti-Caulerpa strategies characterize the rarely affected Crambe crambe (order Poecilosclerida). Species-specific competitive strategies are displayed at different levels of body architecture, behaviour and physiology by native sponge species. The invasion patterns on sponges, the invasion dynamics in 2016–2017 and topographic distribution of C. cylindracea on S. spinosulus confirm this algal species as a threat, with potential long-term effects on sponge assemblages. Data suggest other kinds of poorly investigated synergic stressors affecting these habitat-forming species. Defence strategies of sponge species take the form of: (1) passive deterrence by morpho-functional pre-adaptive traits as growth form, biomass amount, surface traits, and microhabitat within the sponges' aquiferous system; (2) active physiological defence, whereby the morphology/anatomy of the sponge body is adapted to control invaders, by body remodelling and regenerative processes within the aquiferous system and at the sponge surface; (3) presumed active chemical defence by exudation processes of bioactive compounds.

Microbial drug discovery programs rely heavily on accessing bacterial diversity from the environment to acquire new specialized metabolite (SM) lead compounds for the therapeutic pipeline. Therefore, knowledge of how certain bacterial taxa are distributed in nature, in addition to the degree of variation of SM production within those taxa, is critical to informing these front-end discovery efforts and making the overall sample collection and bacterial library creation process more efficient. In the current study we employed MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and the bioinformatics pipeline IDBac to analyze diversity within phylotype groupings and SM profiles of hundreds of bacterial isolates from two Eunapius fragilis freshwater sponges, collected 1.5 km apart. We demonstrated that within two sponge samples of the same species, the culturable bacterial populations contained significant overlap in approximate genus-level phylotypes but mostly non-overlapping populations of isolates when grouped lower than the level of genus. Further, correlations between bacterial phylotype and SM production varied at the species level and below, suggesting SM distribution within bacterial taxa must be analyzed on a case-by-case basis. Our results suggest that two E. fragilis freshwater sponges collected in similar environments can exhibit large culturable diversity on a species-level scale, thus researchers should scrutinize the isolates with analyses that take both phylogeny and SM production into account in order to optimize the chemical space entering into a downstream bacterial library.

Data on the freshwater sponge fauna of New Caledonia and New Zealand (5 species, 3 genera, and 2 families) of the order Spongillida (Porifera, Demospongiae) is reported in the framework of ...

Invasions of alien species form one of the major threats to global biodiversity. Among planarian flatworms many species are known to be invasive, in several cases strongly affecting local ecosystems. Therefore, a detailed knowledge on the biology of an invasive species is of utmost importance for understanding the process of invasion, the cause of its success, and the subsequent ecological impact on native species. This paper provides new information on the biology of introduced populations of the freshwater flatworm Girardia tigrina (Girard, 1850) from Europe. This species is a native of the Nearctic Region that was accidentally introduced into Europe in the 1920s. Since then, numerous records across the European continent bear witness of the invasiveness of this species, although only a few studies focused on the biology of the introduced populations. We report on the morphology of sexualized individuals from a fissiparous Italian population, representing the second record of spontaneous sexualization of fissiparous individuals in this species. A detailed morphological account of the reproductive apparatus of these ex-fissiparous animals is presented. Our results increased the number of morphological groups previously recognized for European populations of G. tigrina, thus corroborating the hypothesis on multiple independent introductions to this continent. Karyological results obtained from our fissiparous Italian individuals revealed a constant diploid chromosome complement of sixteen chromosomes. Further, we document the marked intraspecific variation in several morphological features of this species.

In this study we document the phylogenetic position and the anatomical and ecological characteristics of a new taxon of cave-dwelling triclad flatworms. This species from the Mediterranean island of Sardinia (Italy) forms a separate branch on the phylogenetic tree of the planarians for which we proposed a new genus and placed it in a new family. Molecular analysis reveals a sister-group relationship between this new family, Amphibioplanidae, and the family Dimarcusidae of the suborder Cavernicola, together constituting the sister-group of the suborder Maricola. The new species Amphibioplana onnisi Stocchino & Sluys, sp. nov. is slender and furnished with an epidermis that is abundantly and uniformly provided with cilia and rhabdites. The pharynx presents an oesophageal projection pointing into the pharynx lumen. Ovaries are located far behind the brain. A relatively long common oviduct opens into the diverticulum of the bursal canal. The probursal copulatory bursa is lined with a highly vacuolated, syncytial epithelium. The habitat of this species is formed by groundwater in microcrevices of the epikarst and temporary cave pools, but the animals can survive in a basically terrestrial environment, thus exhibiting an amphibious lifestyle. Some tentative scenarios are discussed for the evolution of the new taxon and for the presence of the new species in three separate caves in Sardinia.

A new species of freshwater sponges is described from Australia. The new species Radiospongilla fungosa is characterized by the following traits ‘megascleres microspiny stout oxeas with scattered, small, simple spines except tips’, and by having ‘gemmuloscleres long, slim, spiny strongyles with scattered simple spines and hooked spines clustered at tips’, ‘gemmular theca with 2 layers of gemmuloscleres radially and tangentially arranged’, ‘pneumatic layer irregularly filamentous network (near inner layer) and thin laminae irregularly arranged (towards outer layer)’. We discuss the relationships of the new species to other members of the genus both from Australia, particularly North-Western Australia, and from other biogeographic regions on the basis of diagnostic morphotraits. An overview on the taxonomy, biogeographic pattern and phylogeny of the genus is supplied and updated to present, together with an updated identification key for Australia species. The diagnosis of the genus Radiospongilla is emended.

Porifera richness was investigated in Cystoseira canopies vs barren grounds considering different substrates at 6 areas in the Central-Western Mediterranean Sea. In total 31 sponge taxa were recorded at 2–7 m depth and the sponge community structure and composition were characterized by a notably low richness with 25 taxa in the Cystoseira forest and 15 in the barren area. As for the sponge habitus, the massive sponges were dominant in both facies, whereas encrusting, and cavity dwelling sponges were found in higher numbers in the Cystoseira forest. Results revealed that rocky substrata seem to play a key role in driving the sponge community composition and diversity in both facies. In this work we explore the role of Cystoseira canopy as a suitable facies for sponges. Sponge assemblages were persistent, strongly resilient in space occupation and consequently support stability in both facies. Some species seem to be pre-adapted to live under the sub-optimal conditions of the barren grounds, i.e. the absence of the Cystoseira fronds shelter. This focus on sponge successful eco-etological performances in 'submarine deserts' such as barren areas shows features as shown in a few other sessile benthic invertebrates.

Sowerby's beaked whale (Mesoplodon bidens) was previously known in the Mediterranean Sea from a single live stranding of two individuals in the French Riviera. We report here on two live sightings in the western Mediterranean, central-western Tyrrhenian Sea off eastern Corsica (Montecristo Trough) and off eastern Sardinia (Caprera Canyon) in 2010 and 2012, respectively. In both cases single individuals, possibly the same individual, occurred within groups of Cuvier's beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) suggesting inter-specific interactions. Based on our close observations of mixed-species groups of Sowerby's and Cuvier's beaked whales, we hypothesize that some previous long-distance sightings of beaked whales in the Mediterranean may not be reliably attributed to Z. cavirostris. The present sightings and previous live stranding indicate that the western Mediterranean Sea is the easternmost marginal area of M. bidens within the North Atlantic geographic range. Notes on behaviour are also provided.

Freshwater sponges, at present considered monophyletic, belong to the suborder Spongillina (Demospongiae, Haplosclerida) and date back to Paleozoic and Mesozoic. Spongillina consists of seven families containing 47 genera, and 238 species with a geographic range from widespread to sensu stricto endemic. Growth form varies from encrusting to massive and branched; color from green to pale or dark brown, and consistency from soft to hard firm or fragile. Skeletal network is pauci- to multi-spicular, alveolate to reticulate with a variable amount of spongin. Skeleton spicules are smooth or variably ornated megascleres ranging from oxeas to styles and strongyles. Microscleres, usually present, are oxeas, strongyles, aster-like, pseudobirotules. Gemmules, when present, are spherical to ovoid with a protective theca. Gemmular theca, typically bi- or tri-layered, usually bears a pneumatic layer and it is armed by gemmuloscleres. Gemmuloscleres are boletiform (tubelliform), parmuliform, pseudobirotules, oxeas, strongyles, birotules, pseudobirotules, club-like, botryoidal. Gemmules functional role is as resistant or dispersal bodies. Larvae are always parenchymella. The present is work is a relatively critical synthesis of the literature, however, a critical phylogenetic revision of established taxa is still in progress.

Spongillida (Porifera) colonized temporary freshwater bodies at the global level. To enhance colonization, survival, long-term persistence, and dispersal, most continental sponges display cryptobiosis as dormancy of resting bodies, i.e. asexual gemmules, 0.25–1 mm in diameter, containing staminal cells protected by a collagenous theca usually armed by siliceous skeletal spicules. High plasticity of body plan, physiology, life cycle, and reproductive modes are the key adaptive strategies of these sponges. The life cycle rhythm is characterized by the alternation of vegetative (active sponges) and cryptobiotic phases (dormant clones of gemmules). Hibernation or aestivation occurs cyclically according to the species and the environmental constraints of local hydrographic and climatic regimes. Ontogenetic constraints, e.g. chronic morphogenesis and clonal strategy by staminal cells, support a metamorphic process transforming the mother sponge functional body into gemmules (gemmulation) and vice versa (regeneration of the active sponge). During dormancy, the majority of these sponges are represented only by gemmules adhering to hard substrata, floating at the water surface, resting in the silty/sandy bottoms, or dispersing by flooding, animal carriers, and wind. A double functional role is performed by clonal gemmules to persist in situ and for dispersal in discontinuous continental water both in time and space.

A new sponge species (Demospongiae: Agelasida: Agelasidae) is described from the eastern coast of Unguja Island in the Zanzibar Archipelago. Agelas sansibarica sp. n. is compared to all other Agelas species described so far. The new species differs from its congeners mainly in its three categories of verticillate spicules (acanthostyles, acanthostrongyles, and acanthoxeas) and their sizes. Acanthostrongyles, well represented in the spicular complement, are an exclusive trait of the new species widening the morphological range of the genus. Summarizing on spicular complement and spicular morphotraits of 36 species belonging to the genus Agelas: i) 32 species show only acanthostyles from Indo-Pacific (n = 14), Atlantic (n = 17), and Mediterranean (n = 1); ii) three Indo-Pacific species show acanthostyles and acanthoxeas; iii) one species Agelas sansibarica sp. n. from the western Indian Ocean is characterised by the unique trait of three categories of verticillate spicules (acanthostyles, acanthostrongyles and acanthoxeas). A key for the Indo-Pacific species is supplied together with short descriptions, illustrations, and geographic range; literature on chemical bioprospecting of the genus Agelas is also provided.

Despite being a fundamental source of biodiversity, several highly diverse taxa of aquatic invertebrates, including Platyhelminthes, remain still poorly known and poorly considered in protection programs. This is the case especially of several invertebrate species that inhabit groundwater. In this environment, invertebrates play significant roles that are strictly connected to the usefulness of these systems for human survival. The groundwater biodiversity of continental Italy is largely unknown and its importance neglected in national and regional legislation. One of the most poorly studied group of the Italian groundwater fauna are planarians. Most of the known species are endemic of small single karst areas or a single cave, with their distribution being never investigated after the original description. The aims of this study are to provide an update conservation status assessment of cave-dwelling planarians known from Italian Alps and Apennines. In particular, we want to analyze the major threats for their survival and the factors determining the possibility to contact and observe these important invertebrates for the subterranean systems. From October 2016 to September 2017, we explored the known localities of nine taxa and a relevant number of surrounding caves. Our results suggest that most of the cave-dwelling planarians species of continental Italy are threatened by water pollution and habitat destruction; moreover, our research underlines that there is a large conservation issue dealing with stenoendemic planarians that may involve other cave-dwelling invertebrates with narrow ranges. Generally, the underground habitat of most species appears to be deeply compromised and changed since species description.

In the Mediterranean Sea, Cystoseira species are the most important canopy-forming algae in shallow rocky bottoms, hosting high biodiverse sessile and mobile communities. A large-scale study has been carried out to investigate the structure of the Cystoseira-dominated assemblages at different spatial scales and to test the hypotheses that alpha and beta diversity of the assemblages, the abundance and the structure of epiphytic macroalgae, epilithic macroalgae, sessile macroinvertebrates and mobile macroinvertebrates associated to Cystoseira beds changed among scales. A hierarchical sampling design in a total of five sites across the Mediterranean Sea (Croatia, Montenegro, Sardinia, Tuscany and Balearic Islands) was used. A total of 597 taxa associated to Cystoseira beds were identified with a mean number per sample ranging between 141.1 ± 6.6 (Tuscany) and 173.9 ± 8.5(Sardinia). A high variability at small (among samples) and large (among sites) scale was generally highlighted, but the studied assemblages showed different patterns of spatial variability. The relative importance of the different scales of spatial variability should be considered to optimize sampling designs and propose monitoring plans of this habitat.

This paper focuses on a faunistic inventory and the biogeographic pattern of Sardinian Porifera in a scarcely investigated Italian sea belonging to the Eastern Algero-Provençal Basin. The composition and structure of sponge fauna were studied in two priority habitats in two Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) of the North-Western Sardinian Sea. Shallow-water surveys investigated Posidonia oceanica meadows at five sites in the Asinara Island MPA and three karstic submerged caves in the Capo Caccia–Isola Piana MPA. The annotated checklist shows notably high values of taxonomic richness, confirming that P. oceanica meadows and karstic caves are key habitats for Porifera assemblages. Indeed, the sponge taxa recorded (n = 77) with 59 cave-dwelling and 45 taxa in seagrass meadows represent over 10% of the total Mediterranean sponge fauna, despite the small areas investigated, restricted biotopes and low sampling effort. This suggests that species richness is underestimated in circum-Sardinia seas. Internationally protected species (n = 6), rare species (n = 5) and Mediterranean endemic species (n = 14) were recorded. Previously investigated Posidonia meadows and caves share comparable values of species richness and endemicity with the Sardinian biotopes. The geographic range of species indicates that the biogeographic affinity of the NW Sardinian Sea sponge fauna is dominated by Atlanto-Mediterranean species. The three caves harbour a notably homogeneous sponge community, as indicated by the ca. 50% of shared species and high similarity index (> 83%). By contrast, the composition varies markedly among the five Posidonia meadows, which share only five species and display similarity values ranging ca. 20–60%. Unexpectedly when comparing these contrasting biotopes, faunal similarity is relatively low (< 40% shared species); indeed, Posidonia meadows harbour a notable number of cave-dwelling species in intermatte shaded microhabitats.

Despite being a fundamental component of biodiversity, several highly diverse taxa of aquatic invertebrates are still poorly known and poorly considered in protection programs. This is the case especially of several invertebrate species that inhabit groundwater. In this environment, invertebrates play significant roles in ecosystem services closely connected to the usefulness of these systems for human welfare and survival. The groundwater biodiversity of continental Italy is largely unknown and its importance is neglected in national and regional legislation. One of the most poorly studied groups of Italian groundwater fauna are planarians (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida). Most known species are endemic to small, single karst areas or a single cave, their geographic range never having been investigated in detail after the original description. The aims of this study are i) to provide the first conservation assessment of cave-dwelling planarians in the Italian Alps and Apennines, whose status is at present Not Evaluated in IUCN categories and ii) to evaluate which environmental constraints, including potential threats, possibly affect the occurrence of the species within different cave systems. Our results suggest that most of the cave-dwelling planarian species of continental Italy are threatened by water pollution and habitat destruction/alteration; moreover, datasets underline that there is a considerable conservation issue concerning stenoendemic planarians that may involve other cave-dwelling invertebrates with narrow geographic ranges. Generally, the underground habitat of most surveyed species appears to be deeply compromised and changed since the first species description.

We report the description of a new species of freshwater flatworm of the genus Dendrocoelum inhabiting the chemoautotrophic ecosystem of Movile Cave as well as several sulfidic wells in the nearby town of Mangalia, thus representing the first planarian species fully described from this extreme biotope. The species was also found in non-sulfidic wells localized in villages in the vicinity of the cave with a total of nine examined populations. Dendrocoelum obstinatum Stocchino & Sluys, sp. nov. represents the first triclad being able to live in both sulfidic and non-sulfidic waters. Among the fauna of the Mangalia sulfidic ecosystem it is the only species found also outside of the current boundaries of the sulfidic aquifer. One possible explanation of this peculiar distribution is that the new species is limited to the old boundaries of the sulfidic aquifer. The latter became much smaller during the hydrogeological history of the region, so that D. obstinatum may be considered to be an indicator of the extension of the sulfidic aquifer in the past of the Mangalia region. In the context of a biogeographic discussion on the distribution of the genus Dendrocoelum we provide an annotated checklist of species reported from Romania.

International audience; Marine sponges are one of the most diverse invertebrates and show a great ability to produce valuable natural products with high biological activities. The main bottleneck for the commercial exploitation is the need of continuous biomass production in sufficient amount. In this study, the in situ cultivation of the sponge Sarcotragus spinosulus in sea-based farming structures was evaluated according to the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) standardized methodology. The results demonstrated that the cultivation aiming at the extraction of bioactive molecules had a more environmentally-friendly performance than the subsequent downstream processes, which were the main cause of the impact. Moreover, the simulation of alternative scenarios showed the possibility of achieving remarkable reductions of impact, as well as the effect of changes in key issues of the process: the effect of different approaches in the use of boats (exclusively used for the sea-based farming plants and the sponges collection or shared for other activities) as well as the influence of the survival rate.

In this paper we report a new species of Dugesia of the family Dugesiidae from Madagascar, representing the fourth species of freshwater planarian known from this global biodiversity hotspot. In some respects the new species is aberrant, when compared with its congeners, being characterized by a head with smoothly rounded auricles, a peculiar course of the oviducts, including the presence of a common posterior extension, and by the asymmetrical openings of the vasa deferentia at about halfway along the seminal vesicle. Further, it is characterized by a ventral course of the ejaculatory duct with a terminal opening, very long spermiducal vesicles and unstalked cocoons. Its diploid chromosome complement with 18 chromosomes represents an uncommon feature among fissiparous species of Dugesia.

An overview of the reproductive patterns of seven model species of triclads belonging to the genus Dugesia from circum-Mediterranean and Afrotropical freshwater is provided. Populations can reproduce exclusively sexually or exclusively asexually by fissiparity but the coexistence of both reproductive modes is displayed by some lineages. The comparison of data on the life cycles as documented in the literature with new data highlights a wide array of potentialities to shift from an asexual to a sexual state and vice versa in species with fissiparous populations. Life cycles are poorly diversified in species reproducing only sexually. Among fissiparous populations, planarians may sexualise, displaying various grades of reproductive functionality under laboratory conditions. Unexpectedly, asexual reproduction by fission occurred spontaneously in two species during the sexual state of ex-fissiparous individuals. The capacity to develop or reduce the reproductive apparatus during the life cycle either...

As sessile filter feeders, sponges are exposed to environmental stress due to pollutants of both anthropogenic and natural origins and are able to accumulate harmful substances. Thus, sponges are considered a good tool for the biomonitoring of coastal areas. In this study, we used biochemical and immunocytochemical analyses to provide new data on the cadmium-related changes in sponge cells. In particular, we analyzed the effects of different concentrations of cadmium on the microtubule network in the calcisponge Clathrina clathrus. Quantitative densitometry of the immunoblots showed that, while the levels of α- and β-tubulin remained relatively constant in C. clathrus when exposed to 1 and 5 μM CdCl2, there were progressive shifts in the levels of some tubulin isoforms. Exposure for 24h to sublethal concentrations of cadmium reduced the level of tyrosinated α-tubulin and enhanced the levels of acetylated and detyrosinated α-tubulin relative to the levels in controls. Confocal microscopy analysis of immunolabeled tissue sections showed that the inhibitory effect of cadmium was associated with a decrease in the labeling of the cells with a monoclonal antibody that recognizes tyrosinated α-tubulin. By contrast, the reactivity with a monoclonal antibody that recognizes acetylated α-tubulin and with a polyclonal antibody specific for detyrosinated α-tubulin was enhanced at the same time points. Because the acetylation and detyrosination of α-tubulin occur on stable microtubules, the marked enhancement of α-tubulin acetylation and detyrosination in Cd(2+)-treated cells indicates that divalent Cd ions stabilize microtubules. The possibility that Cd(2+) may increase the stability of cytoplasmic microtubules was tested by exposing Cd(2+)-treated cells to a cold temperature (0°C). As shown, the microtubule bundles induced by Cd(2+), which were labeled by the monoclonal antibodies against acetylated and detyrosinated α-tubulin, were resistant to cold.

A new species of the genus Dugesia is described from the Lake Ohrid region in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula, forming the first fully documented species description for this genus in the Ohrid area. The morphological species delimitation is supported by complementary molecular, karyological, and cytogenetic data available from the literature. Therefore, species delineation is based on a truly integrative approach. Further, a short account on the degree of freshwater planarian endemicity in the Ohrid region is provided.

Culture experiments in the field were performed on western Mediterranean populations of Ircinia variabilis and Agelas oroides . To evaluate culture and filtering performances among polluted and unpolluted sites in shallow waters, farming experiments were carried out in a harbour, a small tourist nautical base and a pristine biotope. Sponge explants were cultured onto nylon ropes, and in situ clearance rate tests were performed on farmed sponges to assess filtering ability under diverse farming conditions. At the harbour site, sponge survival and growth were similar to that observed in the two unpolluted sites until early summer, when a rapid increase in explant mortality occurred in response to extreme variations in environmental conditions. Filtering experiments revealed high retention and clearance rates of I. variabilis and A. oroides at all sites. The highest rates were observed at the polluted site, reflecting the optimal metabolic performance of explants in the first phase of culture under stressful conditions. Our results highlight the feasibility of sponge microcosms and the ability of I. variabilis and A. oroides to clear large volumes of water of organic and bacterial loads in polluted sites.

This paper focus on the biodiversity assessment of Australian inland water. Checklists of Australian Spongillida are also provided with biogeographic notes together with the geographic range of all species of freshwater sponges in Australia. New discoveries on freshwater sponges are reported from ephemeral freshwater habitats in Kakadu National Park (Australia Northern Territory). Morphological analyses show that the sponges belong to Radiospongilla and Pectispongilla in the family Spongillidae. Radiospongilla cfr. philippinensis shows a single layer of radial gemmuloscleres and the absence of tangential gemmuloscleres in the gemmular theca. Pectispongilla gagudjuensis n. sp. diverges from the diagnostic traits of the four species currently assigned to the genus i.e. skeletal megascleres are dominant acanthostrongyles and less frequent acanthoxeas shorter than in the other species, microscleres are absent, and gemmules are larger than in the other species of the genus.

The growing interest in the use of recyclable and biodegradable natural materials has become a relevant topic in pharmaceutics. In this work, we suggest the use and valorization of natural horny skeleton of marine sponges (Porifera, Dictyoceratida) as bio-based dressing for topical drug delivery. Biomaterial characterization focusing on morpho-functional traits, swelling behavior, fluid uptake performances, glycosaminoglycans content and composition and microbiological quality assessment was carried out to investigate the collagenic skeleton properties. After grinding and sieving processes, l-cysteine hydrochloride-loaded formulations were designed in form of powder or polymeric film by testing various drug concentrations and different drying parameters. Drug content, SEM analyses and in vitro permeation studies were performed to test the suitability of skeleton-based formulations. To this respect, drying time and temperature are key parameters for skeleton-mediated drug crystallization. Consequently, this behavior seems to influence drug loading and permeation profiles of formulations. The high percentages of drug are found after absorption into sponge powder and in vitro permeation studies demonstrate that cysteine is released more slowly than the pure drug within 1h. Such a system is attractive because it combines the known healing properties of cysteine with the advantageous potentials of the collagen/proteoglycan network, which can act as biocompatible carrier able to absorb the excess of the wound exudate while releasing the drug. Furthermore, due to its glycosaminoglycans content, natural sponge skeletal scaffold might act as bioactive-biomimetic carrier regulating the wound healing processes.

The paper focuses on the long-term taxonomic composition and distribution of the shallow-water sponge fauna from the meromictic-anchialine coastal basin Faro Lake (Southern Italy), comparing recent qualitative field data with literature data over a 50-year period. The Faro Lake shallow water currently hosts 24 conspicuous species of Porifera belonging to 21 genera, 18 families, eight orders, three subclasses and two classes, i.e. Demospongiae (23) and Calcarea (one). The comparison between the present and past status of the sponge fauna showed a high turnover, with 15 new colonizers and only nine persistent species. Thirteen species reported in the literature are missing, suggesting the occurrence of remarkable changes in the faunal composition during the last 50 years. The analysis of the geographic distribution of each species allowed us to outline the prevalent North Atlantic affinity of the sponge community. Worthy of note is the new record of the alien calcareous sponge Paraleucilla magna of cryptogenic origin.

The discovery of conspicuous populations of the rare species Petrobiona massiliana is reported from shallow water karstic caves of Sardinia. The morphological comparative analysis versus previous data from the entire geographic range highlights that spicular traits seem to be highly conservative in contrast with a notable plasticity of growth form. Lifestyle and adaptive strategies that favoured the successful spread of P. massiliana in karstic caves and its persistence as extremely isolated populations in a fragmented habitat are discussed together with potential environmental constraints. The data indicate that conservation of this Mediterranean palaeoendemic species with a spot‐like distribution may be a challenge for the western Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas to confer protection to numerous co‐occurring cave‐dwelling species.

Growth dynamics and bioactivity variation of the Mediterranean demosponges Agelas oroides and Petrosia ficiformis were investigated over 15 months at Parag- gi and Colombara within the Marine Reserve of Portofino Promontory (Medi- terranean Sea, Ligurian Sea, Italy). For both species, growth rates varied between individuals and were unaffected by initial sponge size. The two species showed a different trend in growth pattern: A. oroides did not vary significantly between seasons, sites and depths; in contrast, some individuals of P. ficiformis showed a seasonal pattern, shrinking during winter as water temperature decreased and growing during summer when water temperature increased. Dif- ferences in growth between the two species may result from different reproduc- tive cycles, food availability, species-specific thermophily and patterns of spatial competition. Moreover, spatial competition probably induced sponges to pro- duce bioactive secondary molecules. Spatial and temporal variation of bioactiv- ity of both species was examined for the first time by studying its effect on human neuroblastoma cells. The bioactivity of A. oroides extracts differed significantly between seasons, sites and depths, whereas the cytotoxicity of P. ficiformis differed significantly between seasons and depths (differences for sites were not determined). These results suggest the possible influence of environmental factors on bioactive metabolite biosynthesis.

Extensive surveys were made of Tunisian freshwaters, yielding freshwater planarians at only one locality in southeastern Tunisia, representing a new species. Dugesia maghrebiana sp. n. is characterized by the presence of the following features: ventral course of the ejaculatory duct, terminal opening of the ejaculatory duct, double diaphragm, symmetrical openings of the oviducts into the bursal canal, and by a typical condition of mixoploidy with a double aneuploidic chromosome complement. The taxonomic position of the new species is discussed in relation to other African and Mediterranean species.

This paper deals with the history of the exploitation of a natural resource made up of various types of Mediterranean horny sponges. It also provides an update on trends in the trade of these sponges. The distribution and taxonomic status of Mediterranean species of commercial interest belonging to the genera Spongia and Hippospongia are reported upon and partly emended by (i) the selection of neotypes for Spongia mollissima, Hippospongia communis, and Spongia agaricina from the Indo-Pacific Ocean versus the Mediterranean Spongia lamella, and (ii) the discussion regarding the problematic status of Spongia zimocca. Attention is also focused upon species that have been of recent commercial interest as sources of metabolites with biomedical potential, such as Dysidea avara, which is considered endangered due to a pressing demand for the industrial extraction of chemicals it produces (e.g. Avarol). The wild harvesting of new target sponges is also discussed, together with a proposal for a rational, sustainable, long-term strategy for Mediterranean sponge management. Sponge culture in situ is suggested as a useful approach that may allow eco-compatible management and conservation of this natural resource.

Porifera is a primarily marine phylum comprising more than 15,000 species. The successful and wide adaptive radiation of freshwater sponges (Haplosclerida: Spongillina) has resulted in the colonization of an extremely wide variety of habitats at all latitudes. Colonization is dated back to the Mesozoic, and the mono- or poly-phyletism of Spongillina, and the number of potential sponge invasions into freshwater is still under debate. Living freshwater sponges belong to 45 genera in six families for a total of 219 species. The highest diversity, at the scale of zoogeographic regions, is recorded from the Neotropical (65 species), Palaearctic (59 species), and Afrotropical regions (49 species). Endemic freshwater sponge species are 103 (47%) out of 219. All species belonging to the families Lubomirskiidae, Metschnikowiidae, and Malawispongiidae are endemic. Endemic species among the other families are 72% for Potamolepidae, 38% for Spongillidae, and 32% for Metaniidae. Data on some wide geographic areas are scattered and fragmentary if not almost completely lacking. Species richness is probably underestimated and doubtless destined to increase with further research.

Sponges are one of the main components of Mediterranean benthic ecosystems. Aim of this work was to perform a preliminary survey of conspicuous sponges in the Marine Protected Areas of Capo Caccia – Isola Piana and Asinara (North-Western Sardinia) harbouring wide Posidonia oceanica meadows. Specimens were photographed in vivo, collected along linear transects in shallow water by snorkeling and SCUBA diving, preserved (dry and/or ethanol) and identified at species level. Preliminary results show notable values of taxonomic richness when compared to previous papers confirming that P. oceanica meadows represent a suitable habitat for sponges. Some sponge species preferentially colonize rhizomes, others are found mainly in inter-mattes areas; only a few species are able to settle on leaves. Rhizomes offer a steady, permanent and shaded substratum, while leaves represent an unsteady substrate been smooth, short-lived, more exposed, and constantly moving. Sponges perform different key functional roles in the meadows: a) they host diversified invertebrate associations providing also refuge for sciaphilous invertebrates and nursery for juveniles at body surface and within canals of the aquiferous system; b) they are able to recycle particulate and dissolved organic matter acting as biofilters (active filter feeders); c) they contribute to improve circulation by pumping activity in the water column producing microcurrents particulary effective in lentic conditions. On the other side, to live in the meadows is very advantageous for sponges, gaining protection against storm surges. However data suggest the need of continuous monitoring to assess the impact of invasive algae such as those belonging to the genus Caulerpa and contribute to shed light on the problem of diversity loss by alien species.

A first record of the genus Aciculites in the Mediterranean Sea and the description of Aciculites mediterranea sp. nov. are here presented from a faunistic survey in a dark shallow marine cave of the north-western Sardinian karstic area. The new species is characterized by a massive cerebellum-like growth form, and a peculiar distribution of inhalant and exhalant areas, respectively, in depressed and elevated portions of the sponge surface. Oscules show a long narrow atrial cavity. Ectosomal skeleton is made of tangential anisostrongyles on elevated areas, and more or less vertical tufts of anisostrongyles in depressed inhalant areas. Anisostrongyles are smooth or with tips ornated by irregular tubercles. Sigmaspire microscleres are lacking. Choanosomal skeleton with tubercled irregular rizhoclone desmas and few scattered and variably oriented anisostrongyles. A comparative analysis of Aciculites mediterranea sp. nov. versus morphological diagnostic traits, geographical range and habitat of the species hitherto ascribed to Aciculites confirms that the peculiar distribution of the genus supports its relic condition of an ancient Tethyan fauna in the Mediterranean Sea.

The functional morphology and the topographic distribution of tissues in the reproductive system of specimens of Dugesia leporii, an endemic Sardinian free-living planarian, are investigated. Data are provided on the nature of epithelial and glandular secretions, spermatophores, and cocoons by histochemistry, light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. All secreting epithelial cells produce strongly acidic sulfated glycoproteins. Glandular cells secrete strongly acidic sulfated glycoproteins or keratohyalin-like material in the penis bulb, and prekeratin-like material in atrial glands. Secretions of the bursa copulatrix may be involved in the activation of sperm while material produced by the bursa canal and oviducts probably serves to propel spermatophores or sperm and eggs. Mucous secretion of the seminal vesicle may serve to dilute and activate sperm before copulation. The viscous secrete of the ejaculatory duct and vasa deferentia may play a protective role to maintain sperm viability. Materials produced by the penis papilla and atrium probably lubricate the epithelial surface. The bilayered wall of spermatophore made of keratohyalin-like material and strongly acidic sulfated glycoproteins is produced by two gland types of the penis bulb. The bilayered shell of cocoon made of prekeratin-like and keratohyalin-like materials is secreted by both atrial glands and vitelline cells. The cocoon stalk is made of keratohyalin-like material produced by cement glands. Shell glands, producing GAG, are not involved in cocoon formation, but they may be implicated in the dilution and activation of seminal material to favor sperm movement toward the oviducts.

The paper reports the first finding of freshwater sponges from the Greater Antilles. Spongillidae belonging to four species of the genera Ephydatia, Anheteromeyenia, and Radiospongilla were found in a variety of freshwater habitats in western Cuba. Anheteromeyenia cheguevarai nov. sp. is described. Morphological traits of sponges from West Cuba were characterized by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy and compared to the spongillofauna of the Nearctic and Neotropical regions and the pan‐Caribbean area. The specific richness and the discovery of a new species suggest a high diversity of the Antillean freshwater sponges although the investigated area of Cuba is relatively small.

The endemic freshwater planarian Dugesia hepta from Sardinia was described mainly by karyology and karyotype analysis and by geographic distribution. The present paper reports on the detailed morphological study of the copulatory apparatus and highlights the fact that the exclusive diagnostic characters of D. hepta are the shape of the penis papilla, the course and opening of the ejaculatory duct and the openings of the shell glands. A neotype is designated on the basis of a detailed description, and the geographic range of the species is better defined. The two phylogenetically important traits represented by the course and opening of the ejaculatory duct show an unknown condition in the genus Dugesia, diverging from the typical one displayed by the other 69 species. A comparative analysis of morphological traits of the 20 Mediterranean species of the genus Dugesia was made.

The use of sponges for marine bioremediation in a farming scenario has been investigated focusing on Chondrilla nucula . We report experiments examining clearance and retention rates of the bacterium Escherichia coli . Despite low values expressed for clearance tests, C. nucula exhibited a marked ability to retain high quantities of bacteria. One square meter patch of this sponge can filter up to 14 l/h of sea water retaining up to 7×10 10 bacterial cells/h. This suggests that C. nucula is a suitable species for marine environmental bioremediation.

A new species of Dugesia from East Africa is described as a first report of Platyhelminthes from Lake Tana. Dugesia aethiopica sp. n. is characterized by the shape of its bursa copulatrix; length, diameter, course, and opening of the bursal canal; opening of the oviducts; shape of the penis papilla; penial parenchymatic cavity. The taxonomic position of the new species within the D. gonocephala group is discussed in comparison with the other African and Madagascan species.

In this paper we report a new species of Dendrocoelum from the chemoautotrophic ecosystem of the Frasassi hypogenic cave complex in the northeastern Apennines of Italy. Dendrocoelum leporii Stocchino & Sluys, sp. nov. is characterized by the presence of a muscular atrial valve, which is unique within the genus. Moreover, the new species is characterized also by a penis papilla with a pseudoflagellum, numerous testes situated in the ventral, dorsal and median body regions with the follicles extending to the far posterior end of the body, and a large adenodactyl with the so-called Balkan type of musculature. The new species represents the twelfth dendrocoelid species recorded for Italy. A summary is provided of the species of the family Dendrocoelidae Hallez, 1892 thus far reported for the mainland and the isles of Italy.

The type material of Spongilla lacustris, recently found in the Linnean herbarium, is described. Type locality and present distribution are shown. Morphological diagnostic traits are described by SEM microphotography. This is the single species of Porifera out of 12 described by Linnaeus in 1759, with type specimen known. A lectotype is selected from two syntypes.

The present synthesis focuses on the so called ‘horny sponges’ recorded from marine caves of the Mediterranean Sea. The main aim is to provide a list of all recorded species, diagnostic keys to their identification up to family and genus level, and exhaustive, formally uniform descriptions at the species level contributing to sharing of information on the faunistics and taxonomy of Mediterranean cave-dwelling species, including habitat preferences. The majority of species was recorded in 105 Mediterranean marine caves hosting four orders of horny sponges belonging to 9 families, 19 genera and 40 species. Species endemic to the Mediterranean Sea harboured in marine caves are 14 with an endemicity value of 35%. For each species morphological descriptions are supported by illustrations both original and from the literature, including the diagnostic traits of the skeleton by light and scanning electron microscopy giving further characterization at the specific level. A detailed map together with a list of all caves harbouring horny sponges is also provided with geographic coordinates.

A new species of the genus Dugesia from the Amatola Mountains in the Eastern Province of South Africa is described,including a karyological account and notes on its life cycle and reproductive modes. The new species differs from itscongeners in a unique combination of morphological characters of the copulatory apparatus, in particular the centralcourse of the ejaculatory duct with its terminal opening at the tip of the penis papilla, the elongated seminal vesicle, theasymmetrical openings of the oviducts into the bursal canal, and the openings of vasa deferentia at about halfway alongthe seminal vesicle. In addition, an overview is provided of all freshwater triclads reported from the African continent including karyological information and notes on reproductive modes.

SUMMARY 1. Quantitative field data were collected from a Sardinian population of the sponge Ephydutia fluvtatilis from 1987 to 1993 in order to study its life style. 2. Growth of sponges was high during the annual cycle, and showed few changes in 6 years. Gemmulation was very rapid and highly efficient. Life spans of many specimens extended up to 5 years. 3. The population was destroyed by one flood during our study period. The persistence of gemmules on substrata suggested that dispersal was low in our study population. Recolonization started 7 months after the flood and re-established a new population, different from the previous one in terms of spatial structure and specimen size.

The life cycle of Ephydatia fluviatilis involves obligatory gemmule formation, a process strongly related to environmental conditions. A comparative investigation carried out on three populations of this species distributed along a climatic gradient, besides confirming a link between occurrence of gemmules and the severity of the habitat, evidences that gemmulation may be triggered even by endogenous stimuli. Indeed, in the northern area (Torrente Scrivia, Liguria), subjected to ice‐up and notable thermic and water‐flow fluctuations, the sponges hibernate for a long period and show shorter summer activity. In the southern area (Canale Tagliavla, Sicily), with a summer dry‐up, the active sponges are present during the winter, while the quiescence coincides with an aestivation. The persistence of this rhythm over the years is discussed, also in consideration of a speciation trend which points to a physiological reproductive barrier between these metapopulations. By contrast, in the intermediate are...

Biodiversity was assessed and a synthesis of sponges belonging to the genus Eunapius from African inland waters was performed, with detailed descriptions, geographic distribution, ecological notes and a diagnostic key. The gemmular trait "network of spongin fi bers in the inner portion of the gemmular theca" discovered by the SEM analysis is here reported for the fi rst time in four species of the genus. A comparative analysis was made, based on a critical revision of original descriptions, recent investigations on materials from historical collections, and recent samplings. Eight taxa are here reported, namely the widespread Eunapius carteri and E. fragilis, and the African endemics E. aetheriae, E. ambiguus, E. carteri saharensis, E. michaelseni, E. nitens and Eunapius sp. The genus Eunapius is, among Spongillidae, the most common and widespread in Africa in North Africa, Sahara and Sub-Sahara up to South Africa and Namibia. Habitats range from extremely isolated waters in deserts to swamps, perennial rivers and lakes in highlands and coastal areas.

Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) is believed to be the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system, a function that has been extended to a number of invertebrate systems. The presence of GABA in the marine demosponge Chondrilla nucula was verified using immunofluorescence detection and high-pressure liquid chromatography. A strong GABA-like immunoreactivity (IR) was found associated with choanocytes, exopinacocytes, endopinacocytes lining inhalant, and exhalant canals, as well as in archaeocytes scattered in the mesohyl. The capacity to synthesize GABA from glutamate and to transport it into the vesicles was confirmed by the presence in C. nucula of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and vesicular GABA transporters (vGATs), respectively. GAD-like and vGAT-like IR show the same distribution as GABA-like IR. Supporting the similarity between sponge and mammalian proteins, bands with an apparent molecular weight of about 65-67 kDa and 57 kDa were detected using antibodies raised against mammalian GAD and vGAT, respectively. A functional metabotropic GABA(B)-like receptor is also present in C. nucula. Indeed, both GABA(B) R1 and R2 isoforms were detected by immunoblot and immunofluorescence. Also in this case, IR was found in choanocytes, exopinacocytes, and endopinacocytes. The content of GABA in C. nucula amounts to 1225.75 +/- 79 pmol/mg proteins and GABA is released into the medium when sponge cells are depolarized. In conclusion, this study is the first indication of the existence of the GABA biosynthetic enzyme GAD and of the GABA transporter vGAT in sponges, as well as the first demonstration that the neurotransmitter GABA is released extracellularly.