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The marine environment represents one of the most underexplored environments in the world. Marine sponges have a higher taxonomic diversity according to definite environmental conditions. They have been considered interesting sources for bioactive compounds. Dictyoceratida sponges are divided into five families which are widely distributed and habituating different types of micro-organisms. However, some secondary metabolites are probably not produced by the sponges themselves, but rather by their associated micro-organisms. These secondary metabolites are characterized by different chemical structures and consequently different biological activities. This review outlines the reported secondary metabolites from micro-organisms associated with Dictyoceratida sponges and their investigated biological activities from 1991 to 2019. The increasing research studies in this field can play a major role in marine microbial natural products drug discovery in the future.

Until now, 127 species of marine sponges have been recorded in the southern Gulf of Mexico (SGoM). In this study, we describe the sponge fauna recorded on 16 coral reefs of the SGoM, defined as the Mexican waters of the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), during a period from 2005 to 2019. We report 80 sponge species, including 34 first geographic records for the southern GoM region. The latter are fully described and illustrated, taking into account 24 that represent new records for the GoM: Agelas conifera, Agelas sventres, Agelas wiedenmayeri, Prosuberites carriebowensis, Desmanthus meandroides, Cliona aprica, Cliona dioryssa, Placospongia ruetzleri, Haliclona (Gellius) megasclera, Haliclona (Reniera) aff. portroyalensis, Neopetrosia proxima, Xestospongia arenosa, Calyx podatypa, Shiphonodictyon xamaycaense, Acarnus innominatus, Iotrochota arenosa, Polymastia tenax, Svenzea cristinae, Svenzea flava, Svenzea tubulosa, Svenzea zeai, Timea stenosclera, Stellettinopsis megastylifera, Suberea flavolivescens. The present work highlights the understimated and remarkable diversity of reef-associated sponges within the Campeche Bank Coral reef systems. Present work data was compiled with existing published information to produce an updated list of 161 known sponges in the southern GoM.

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.

Marine organisms have been considered an interesting target for the discovery of different classes of secondary natural products with wide-ranging biological activities. Sponges which belong to the order Dictyoceratida are distinctly classified into 5 families: Dysideidae, Irciniidae, Spongiidae, Thorectidae, and Verticilliitidae. In this review, compounds isolated from Dictyoceratida sponges were discussed with their biological potential within the period 2013 to December 2019. Moreover, analysis of the physicochemical properties of these marine natural products was investigated and the results showed that 78% of the compounds have oral bioavailability potential. This review highlights sponges of the order Dictyoceratida as exciting source for discovery of new drug leads.

Ircinia bocatorensis sp. nov. Figures 4, 5; Tables 1, 2. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: D3F0FC15-2302-453D-BBAB-B3528E4D8D0A Holotype: USNM 1582284 (P16x58; 9.35133, -82.2593; appx. 5 m depth; coll. J.B.K. and R.W. T.; 26 July 2016). Paratypes: USNM 1582282 (P16x56; 9.35133, -82.2593; appx. 5 m depth; coll. J.B.K. and R.W. T.; 26 July 2016), USNM 1582287 (P16x61; 9.35133, -82.2593; appx. 5 m depth; coll. J.B.K. and R.W. T.; 26 July 2016), USNM 1582289 (P16x63; 9.35133, -82.2593; appx. 5 m depth; coll. J.B.K. and R.W. T.; 26 July 2016), USNM 1582291 (P16x65; 9.35133, -82.2593; appx. 5 m depth; coll. J.B.K. and R.W. T.; 26 July 2016), USNM 1582295 (P16x69; 9.35133, -82.2593; appx. 5 m depth; coll. J.B.K. and R.W. T.; 26 July 2016). Type locality: Bocas del Toro, Panama. Exterior morphology. Ircinia with a massive, sometimes cone-like growth morphology and a tan exterior color (Figure 4). Conules 3���5 mm in height, dully sharp to knobby, typically darker or lighter in color than the rest of the sponge body. Oscula usually black, either flush or apical on cone-like outgrowths, sparsely distributed, sometimes clumped. Oscule diameter 0.5���1.5 cm. Internal morphology. Primary fascicular fibers 200���520 ��m wide, heavily cored. Interconnecting fibers 15���65 ��m wide, moderately cored and sometimes becoming uncored further from the point of connection with the primary fibers (Figure 5). Irciniid filaments 1���4 ��m wide, terminating in spherical to oval knobs 5���10 ��m in diameter. Ecology. All specimens were collected from a Thalassia bed interspersed with small coral colonies. Etymology. The species is named for the Panamanian province Bocas del Toro. Remarks. One specimen was observed growing in physical contact with I. strobilina. Referred to as the ���Massive B��� growth form in Kelly et al. (2021)., Published as part of Kelly, Joseph B. & Thacker, Robert W., 2021, New shallow water species of Caribbean Ircinia Nardo, 1833 (Porifera: Irciniidae), pp. 301-323 in Zootaxa 5072 (4) on page 307, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5072.4.1, http://zenodo.org/record/5748820, {"references":["Kelly, J. B., Carlson, D. E., Low, J. S., Rice, T. & Thacker, R. W. (2021) The relationship between microbiomes and selective regimes in the sponge genus Ircinia. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12, 489. https: // doi. org / 10.3389 / fmicb. 2021.607289"]}

Ircinia vansoesti sp. nov. Figures 10, 11; Tables 1, 2. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: D3C1295B-95FC-4DDB-A3EF-35B0C2EAF3A8 Holotype: USNM 1641998 (JK18x20; 16.8285, -88.1044; appx. 0.6 m depth; coll. J.B.K.; 16 August 2018). Paratypes: USNM 1641996 (JK18x18; 16.8285, -88.1044; appx. 0.6 m depth; coll. J.B.K.; 16 August 2018), USNM 1642006 (JK18x28; 16.8083, -88.1496; appx. 0.5 m depth; coll. J.B.K.; 18 August 2018), USNM 1642012 (JK18x34; 16.8083, -88.1496; appx. 0.5 m depth; coll. J.B.K.; 18 August 2018), USNM 1642013 (JK18x35; 16.8083, -88.1496; appx. 0.5 m depth; coll. J.B.K.; 18 August 2018). Type locality: Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Belize. External morphology. Ircinia with a ramose growth form, although can be occasionally massive lobate in smaller individuals (Figure 10). This species is polymorphic with regard to pinacoderm coloration, and multiple color morphs (gray, dark red, dark green) can be found within a population. Possesses smaller conules (1���1.5 mm). Oscula typically 0.5���1.2 cm in diameter. Interior morphology. Massive fascicular fibers 90���300 ��m wide, sometimes cored, and always more heavily than interconnecting fibers. Interconnecting fibers 25���60 um wide, usually uncored (Figure 11). Irciniid filaments 2���6 ��m wide terminating in spherical to tear-drop knobs measuring 4���11 ��m in diameter. Foreign spicules and sediment are occasionally included in the cortex and are seldom found in the in mesohyl. Fascicles can be rare and difficult to discern from interconnecting secondary fibers (Figure 11). Ecology. This species is found growing on Rhizophora prop roots. Etymology. This species is named for the sponge researcher Rob van Soest. Remarks. Interior morphology can vary somewhat depending on population, as the Twin Cays specimens contained less foreign inclusions relative to the Blue Ground specimens. Referred to as the ���Sp. 1��� growth form in Kelly et al. (2021)., Published as part of Kelly, Joseph B. & Thacker, Robert W., 2021, New shallow water species of Caribbean Ircinia Nardo, 1833 (Porifera: Irciniidae), pp. 301-323 in Zootaxa 5072 (4) on pages 312-313, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5072.4.1, http://zenodo.org/record/5748820, {"references":["Kelly, J. B., Carlson, D. E., Low, J. S., Rice, T. & Thacker, R. W. (2021) The relationship between microbiomes and selective regimes in the sponge genus Ircinia. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12, 489. https: // doi. org / 10.3389 / fmicb. 2021.607289"]}

Ircinia ruetzleri sp. nov. Figures 12, 13; Tables 1, 2. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: C789E5F2-0BAB-4D78-9EFB-FD01E5E57D87 Holotype: USNM 1642001 (JK18x23; 16.8010, -88.1461; appx. 0.8 m depth; coll. J.B.K.; 17 August 2018). Paratypes: USNM 1641999 (JK18x21; 16.8010, -88.1461; appx. 0.8 m depth; coll. J.B.K.; 17 August 2018), USNM 1642000 (JK18x22; 16.8010, -88.1461; appx. 0.8 m depth; coll. J.B.K.; 17 August 2018), USNM 1642003 (JK18x25; 16.8010, -88.1461; appx. 0.8 m depth; coll. J.B.K.; 17 August 2018), USNM 1642004 (JK18x26; 16.8010, -88.1461; appx. 0.8 m depth; coll. J.B.K.; 17 August 2018). Type locality: Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Belize. External morphology. Ircinia with an encrusting growth form, commonly with digitate projections, and dark gray pinacoderm (Figure 12). Conules 1���1.3 mm in height. Oscula flush or slightly raised, always black, 0.2���1 cm in diameter. Interior morphology. Massive fascicular fibers 120���240 ��m wide, heavily cored and tightly bound. Interconnecting fibers 30���50 um wide, lightly cored (Figure 13). Irciniid filaments 2���5 ��m wide, terminating in spherical knobs, 5���10 ��m in diameter. Cortex contains abundant inclusions of sand grains. Ecology. This species is found on patch reefs co-inhabited by I. strobilina in shallow depths (0.5���1 m) adjacent to mangrove hammocks inhabited by I. vansoesti sp. nov. The surface is often covered with loose sand. The species commonly grows in close association with hydroids and multicellular algae. Etymology. This species is named in honor of the sponge researcher Klaus R��tzler. Remarks. Referred to as the ���Sp. 2��� growth form in Kelly et al. (2021)., Published as part of Kelly, Joseph B. & Thacker, Robert W., 2021, New shallow water species of Caribbean Ircinia Nardo, 1833 (Porifera: Irciniidae), pp. 301-323 in Zootaxa 5072 (4) on pages 314-315, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5072.4.1, http://zenodo.org/record/5748820, {"references":["Kelly, J. B., Carlson, D. E., Low, J. S., Rice, T. & Thacker, R. W. (2021) The relationship between microbiomes and selective regimes in the sponge genus Ircinia. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12, 489. https: // doi. org / 10.3389 / fmicb. 2021.607289"]}

Ircinia lowi sp. nov. Figures 2, 3; Tables 1, 2. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 78177724-A5A5-4396-B78D-F6A8181ACB82 Holotype: USNM 1582268 (P16x42; 9.37767, -82.3032; appx. 0.5 m depth; coll. J.B.K.; 22 July 2016). Paratypes: USNM 1582267 (P16x41; 9.37767, -82.3032; appx. 0.5 m depth; coll. J.B.K.; 22 July 2016), USNM 1582269 (P16x43; 9.37767, -82.3032; appx. 0.5 m depth; coll. J.B.K.; 22 July 2016), USNM 1582270 (P16x44; 9.37767, -82.3032; appx. 0.5 m depth; coll. J.B.K.; 22 July 2016), USNM 1582278 (P16x52; 9.37767, -82.3032; appx. 0.4 m depth; coll. J.B.K.; 23 July 2016). Type locality: Bocas del Toro, Panama. External morphology. Ircinia with a thickly encrusting growth habit and a forest green external surface color. Sometimes possesses lobate, short branches departing from base (Figure 2). Conules small (1.5���2 mm in height), sometimes of lighter color than the rest of the body. The body is dotted with black oscula that are uniform in size (0.4���0.5 cm diameter) and are either slightly elevated or flushed to the surface. Interior morphology. Primary fascicular fibers 80���200 ��m wide, cored. Interconnecting fibers 20���60 um wide, nearly uncored to completely uncored (Figure 3). Irciniid filaments 1���4 ��m wide, terminating in spherical knobs 6���10 ��m in diameter. Ecology. All specimens were collected from shallow depths (0.4���0.5 m) on patch reefs that occur in association with small seagrass beds. Etymology. This species is named for the immunologist Jun Siong Low for his methodological advances in identifying pan-coronavirus antibodies. Remarks. Tissue takes on a slightly crisper consistency when preserved in ethanol for several days. Referred to as the ���Encrusting��� growth form in Kelly et al. (2021)., Published as part of Kelly, Joseph B. & Thacker, Robert W., 2021, New shallow water species of Caribbean Ircinia Nardo, 1833 (Porifera: Irciniidae), pp. 301-323 in Zootaxa 5072 (4) on pages 304-305, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5072.4.1, http://zenodo.org/record/5748820, {"references":["Kelly, J. B., Carlson, D. E., Low, J. S., Rice, T. & Thacker, R. W. (2021) The relationship between microbiomes and selective regimes in the sponge genus Ircinia. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12, 489. https: // doi. org / 10.3389 / fmicb. 2021.607289"]}

Genus Ircinia Nardo, 1833 Diagnosis. The proteinaceous skeleton of irciniids is composed of primary fibers that are meshed together in fascicles. A system of secondary fibers intersect, often perpendicularly, with the fascicles and can differ in the degree of coring and fiber widths relative to the primary fibers. The networks of interconnecting secondary and fascicular primary fibers are reinforced by nearly transparent, thin fibers (termed irciniid filaments) that can be tightly packed in pleatlike layers or arranged in tracts, making the bodies of many irciniids compressible though difficult to tear. Ircinia are distinguishable from Psammocinia Lendenfeld, 1889 by the former���s absence of a thick outer layer of sediment that forms a cortical armor. The dermis of Ircinia is conulated and often clear of epibiont growth. Ircinia display a wide range of intraspecific variation in morphological characters at the macro- and microscopic level. Modified from Hooper & van Soest (2002); see Discussion for remarks on secondary fiber coring., Published as part of Kelly, Joseph B. & Thacker, Robert W., 2021, New shallow water species of Caribbean Ircinia Nardo, 1833 (Porifera: Irciniidae), pp. 301-323 in Zootaxa 5072 (4) on page 304, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5072.4.1, http://zenodo.org/record/5748820, {"references":["Hooper, J. & van Soest, R. W. M. (Eds.) (2002) Systema Porifera: A guide to the classification of sponges. Kluwer Academic / Plenum Publishers, New York, Boston, Dordrecht, London and Moscow, xlviii + 1708 pp. https: // doi. org / 10.1007 / 978 - 1 - 4615 - 0747 - 5"]}

Seven Ircinia morphospecies were collected from three sites in the Caribbean (Bocas del Toro, Panama; the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Belize; and the Florida Keys, United States of America). Previous research used an integrative taxonomic framework (genome-wide SNP sampling and microbiome profiling) to delimit species boundaries among these Ircinia. Here, we present morphological descriptions for these species, six of which are new to science (Ircinia lowi sp. nov., Ircinia bocatorensis sp. nov., Ircinia radix sp. nov., Ircinia laeviconulosa sp. nov., Ircinia vansoesti sp. nov., Ircinia ruetzleri sp. nov.) in addition to one species conferre (Ircinia cf. reteplana Topsent, 1923).

Ircinia cf. reteplana (Topsent, 1923) Figures 14, 15; Tables 1, 2. Representative specimens: USNM 1641981 (JK18x6; 24.6609, -81.4563; appx. 1.2 m depth; coll. J.B.K.; 5 July 2018), USNM 1641982 (JK18x7; 24.6609, -81.4563; appx. 1.2 m depth; coll. J.B.K.; 5 July 2018), USNM 1641984 (JK18x9; 24.6609, -81.4563; appx. 1.2 m depth; coll. J.B.K.; 5 July 2018), USNM 1641985 (JK18x10; 24.6609, -81.4563; appx. 1.2 m depth; coll. J.B.K.; 5 July 2018), USNM 1641989 (JK18x14; 24.6609, -81.4563; appx. 1.2 m depth; coll. J.B.K.; 5 July 2018). Collection locality: Summerland Key, Florida. External morphology. Ircinia with a flattened, branching morphology. Branches are usually not interconnecting (Figure 14). Surface with 1���1.2 mm-high conules. Most oscula are around 0.5 cm in diameter and are found across the face of the branches, where they sit flush, as well as at the edges of the branches. Interior morphology. Massive fascicular fibers are tightly bound, 90���250 ��m wide, and heavily cored. Interconnecting fibers 20���80 um wide, moderately cored with spicules and sand (Figure 15). Irciniid filaments 2���6 ��m wide, terminating in spherical knobs measuring 9���15 ��m in diameter. Cortex routinely incorporates sand and foreign spicule fragments. Ecology. Specimens were collected from a Thalassia -dominated seagrass bed and co-occurred next to I. campana, sometimes within a meter of each other. Symbiotic metazoans in the sponge are mostly crustaceans and polychaetes. Remarks. The body shape of I. reteplana Topsent, 1923 is distinct from those of the aforementioned Ircinia in that it is composed of flattened, interconnecting branches. Because the Floridian Ircinia growth form, called ���Ramose��� in Kelly et al. (2021), often displays a flattened branching morphology, we designate this growth form as Ircinia cf. reteplana Topsent, 1923, and maintain it as conferre due to the moderate degree of coring observed in secondary fibers, a characteristic that is absent from I. reteplana Topsent, 1923. Additionally, the branches of I. cf. reteplana seldom interconnect, as is reported for I. reteplana Topsent, 1923, and can also possess a rounded branching morphology. This growth form represents either a new species of Ircinia or it represents an extension of the documented range of I. reteplana to the Florida Keys. For reference, the range of I. reteplana encompasses the entirety of the Antilles and spans the Caribbean to the coast of Venezuela, and extends to the tip of the Yucutan Peninsula (van Soest et al. 2021). The collections of I. strobilina, I. felix, and I. campana were made within the documented ranges of these species (Table 1)., Published as part of Kelly, Joseph B. & Thacker, Robert W., 2021, New shallow water species of Caribbean Ircinia Nardo, 1833 (Porifera: Irciniidae), pp. 301-323 in Zootaxa 5072 (4) on pages 316-317, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5072.4.1, http://zenodo.org/record/5748820, {"references":["Kelly, J. B., Carlson, D. E., Low, J. S., Rice, T. & Thacker, R. W. (2021) The relationship between microbiomes and selective regimes in the sponge genus Ircinia. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12, 489. https: // doi. org / 10.3389 / fmicb. 2021.607289","van Soest, R. W. M., Boury-Esnault, N., Hooper, J. N. A., Rutzler, K., de Voogd, N. J., Alvarez, B., Hajdu, E., Pisera, A. B., Manconi, R., Schonberg, C., Klautau, M., Kelly, M., Vacelet, J., Dohrmann, M., Diaz, M. - C., Cardenas, P., Carballo, J. L., Rios, P., Downey, R. & Morrow, C. C. (2021) World Porifera Database. Available from: http: // www. marinespecies. org / porifera (accessed 1 March 2021)"]}

Seven Ircinia growth forms were collected from three sites in the Caribbean (Bocas del Toro, Panama; the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Belize; and the Florida Keys, United States of America). Previous research used an integrative taxonomic framework to delimit species boundaries among these growth forms. Here, we present descriptions for these species, six of which are new to science (Ircinia lowisp. nov., Ircinia bocatorensissp. nov., Ircinia radixsp. nov., Ircinia laeviconulosasp. nov., Ircinia vansoestisp. nov., Ircinia rutzlerisp. nov.) in addition to one species conferre (Ircinia cf. reteplana Topsent, 1923).

Sponges are key components of the benthic assemblages and play an important functional role in many ecosystems, especially in coral reefs. The Indonesian coral reefs, located within the so-called "coral triangle", are among the richest in the world. However, the knowledge of the diversity of sponges and several other marine taxa is far from being complete in the area. In spite of this great biodiversity, most of the information on Indonesian sponges is scattered in old and fragmented literature and comprehensive data about their diversity are still lacking. In this paper, we report the presence of 94 species recorded during different research campaigns mainly from the Marine Park of Bunaken, North Sulawesi. Six species are new for science and seven represent new records for the area. Several others are very poorly known species, sometimes recorded for the second time after their description. For most species, besides field data and detailed descriptions, pictures in vivo are included. Moreover, two new symbiotic sponge associations are described. This work aims to increase the basic knowledge of Indonesian sponge diversity as a prerequisite for monitoring and conservation of this valuable taxon.

33 species of shallow-water Demospongiae (Phylum Porifera) are described from Sodwana Bay, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, on the east coast of South Africa. Of the 33 species collected, 18 are redescribed from fresh material and 15 are new to science. Orders Clionaida, Poecilosclerida, Axinellida, Haplosclerida and Dictyoceratida are well represented in the collection with 4 to 6 species each, with the first three groups appearing to have the greatest diversity on the east coast of South Africa. The east coast of South Africa appears to have a high abundance of poecilosclerid and dictyoceratid sponges. The results of this study underscore the importance of poecilosclerid and dictyoceratid sponge fauna of the east coast of South Africa, in terms of the potential for the continued discovery of new species.

Ircinia felix (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864) Figures 10 a–d Restricted synonymy: Polytherses felix Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864: 72, pl. XIII fig. 2. Ircinia felix; Wiedenmayer 1977: 60, pl. 4 fig. 3 (with additional synonyms); Van Soest 1978: 33, text-fig. 11, pl. VI fig. 4 (with further synonyms). Ircinia strobilina; Van Soest 1978: 40 (in part, Guyana specimen only) (Not: Lamarck, 1814) Material examined. RMNH Por. 9333, 9838, Guyana, ‘Luymes’ Guyana Shelf Expedition, station 65, 7.55°N 57.0833°W, depth 63 m, sandy bottom, 31 August 1970; RMNH Por. 9371, 9797, Guyana, ‘Luymes’ Guyana Shelf Expedition, station 107, 7.7°N 57.5°W, depth 65 m, muddy sand bottom with shells, 5 September 1970; RMNH Por. 9817, Guyana, ‘Luymes’ Guyana Shelf Expedition, station 68, 7.4167°N 57.1333°W, depth 51 m, muddy sand bottom, 31 August 1970; RMNH Por. 9833, Guyana, ‘Luymes’ Guyana Shelf Expedition, station 87, 7.5667°N 57.2667°W, depth 59 m, bottom sand and shells, 2 September 1970; RMNH Por. 9839, Guyana, ‘Luymes’ Guyana Shelf Expedition, station 85, 7.65°N 57.25°W, depth 69 m, bottom sand and shells, 2 September 1970; RMNH Por. 9848, Suriname, ‘ Luymes O.C.P.S. II’ Guyana Shelf Expedition, station M97, 7.3083°N 54.1667°W, depth 130 m, bottom coarse sand, 16 April 1969; RMNH Por. 9904, 9953, Suriname, ‘ Snellius O.C.P.S. ’ Guyana Shelf Expedition, station G7, 7.28°N 56.7933°W, depth 64 m, bottom sand, 7 May 1966; RMNH Por. 9936, Guyana, ‘Luymes’ Guyana Shelf Expedition, station 63, 7.5833°N 57.0667°W, depth 71 m, sandy bottom, 31 August 1970; RMNH Por. 9966, Suriname, ‘ Snellius O.C.P.S. ’ Guyana Shelf Expedition, station G56, 7.26°N 56.6667°W, depth 67–68 m, Agassiz trawl, 10 May 1966; RMNH Por. 9996, Guyana, ‘ Snellius O.C.P.S. ’ Guyana Shelf Expedition, station H57, 7.595°N 56.8767°W, depth 94 m, bottom coarse sand and shells, 11 May 1966; RMNH Por. 10509, Suriname, ‘ Snellius O.C.P.S. ’ Guyana Shelf Expedition, station F46, 6.312°N 56.57°W, depth 25–29 m, bottom sand, 7 May 1966. Description. Massive, cake-shaped, globular, or more expanded (Figs 10 a–b). Size of largest individuals in the present collection up to 15 x 10 x 6 cm. Color (in alcohol) pinkish brown or purplish grey with, at least in RMNH Por. 9333, a dark purple oscule. In other specimens oscules are less distinct and vary in diameter from 2 to 8 mm. Conules are usually about 2–4 mm in height and are about 4–6 mm apart. Consistency is compressible, but firm. The sponges are harsh to the touch. Skeleton. (Fig. 10 c) The surface is covered by a tough mixture of filaments and sand grains, which is carried by endings of choanosomal fibers. The fiber system is irregular and may contain a considerable load of sand grains or spicule debris, but in other parts foreign material may be virtually absent. Fibers are generally less than 100 µm in diameter, lying 400–500 µm apart, and form irregular meshes of 500 µm or more in size. Filaments (Fig. 10 d) are usually conspicuous, but may occasionally be difficult to find in transmitted light, they are 2–5 µm in diameter with terminal knobs of about 8 µm. All these features are subject to considerable variation in the collected specimens. Distribution and ecology. Guyana Shelf, Greater Caribbean, NE Brazil, from shallow–water down to 130 m (previously down to 100 m). Remarks. It is with some hesitation that all the Ircinia specimens collected on the Guyana Shelf are here assigned to I. felix, as growth forms are quite variable. Several specimens are undoubted members of the species, but some others are doubtful. The species is polymorphic and can be distinguished from the similarly polymorphic sympatric Ircinia strobilina (Lamarck, 1814) only on the greater coarseness of the latter. A CREOCEAN specimen from French Guyana (72 m depth) is flattened and looks to be intermediate between I. felix and I. strobilina. Van Soest (1978) assigned a specimen from the Guyana coast (ZMA Por. 03538) to Ircinia strobilina, but this is here reassigned to Ircinia felix. Although typically inhabitants of the reef, both species have been reported from deeper water.

Van, Rob W. M. (2017): Sponges of the Guyana Shelf. Zootaxa 1: 1-225, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.272951

This thesis is focused on exploration of Australian and Antarctica marine plants and invertebrates for the discovery of new and unusual natural products. A marine extract library (Capon) of over 2500 Australian and Antarctica marine plants and invertebrates was the platform for this research. High-throughput chemical profiling was executed by UHPLC-DAD to rapidly de-replicate, prioritise and fast track the chemical analysis of 2626 marine extracts. The acquired data was compiled as a chromatography-based library, establishing one central platform equipped with chromatography knowledge of the entire marine collection. Concurrently, assessing the biological potentials of the extract library was carried out in order to rapidly prioritise extracts. Employed biological assays included Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) screening and a5b3g2-GABAA modulatory screening. Bioassay-guided fractionation was employed to guide the discovery of bioactive natural products. The prioritised hits were subjected to extraction, isolation and purification employing various techniques such as trituration, solvent-solvent partitioning, SPE fractionation, size exclusion chromatography, and analytical/semi-preparative and preparative HPLCs. Spectroscopic methods (UV-Vis, [a]D, HRMS, and 1H, 13C, 1H-13C HSQC, 1H-1H COSY, 1H-13C HMBC, 1H-1H NOESY and 1H-15N HSQC NMR) were utilized for structural elucidations of small molecules. Additionally, QTOF-MS/MS, along with 1D and 2D NMR analysis, and C3 Marfeyrs analysis was utilized to solve small peptide structures. Furthermore, chemical derivatisation methods including total and partial acid hydrolysis, and C3 Marfeyrs method was utilized to develop an innovative 2D technique for assigning regiochemistry of cyclic peptides. To a lesser extend, additional support for characterisation of structures was also accessed through synthetic methodologies. The isolated natural products were assessed for anti-microbial and cytotoxic activities along with GABAA modulatory activity. Chapter 1 A literature review on isolation of marine sponges-derived new natural products from Australia and the Antarctica during the period of 2000 to 2016. The trend in publications resulting from discoveries of Australian sponge-derived marine natural products is also highlighted from 1976 to 2016. Chapter 2 This chapter describes the chemical and biological profiling conducted on a collection of over 2500 marine invertebrates and plants sourced out from locations across Southern Australia and Antarctica over a period of 20+ years. It further outlines the strategy involved in prioritisation of extracts and discusses the isolation and characterisation of natural products discovered through bioassay-guided fractionation of prioritised bioactive extracts. Chapter 3 This chapter illustrates the function of the in-house UHPLC-DAD based database, which is a chromatographic-based record of the chemical constituents of the marine organisms in Capon marine collection, thus allowing us to search the entire library and detect compounds with unique chromophore present in one or more organisms. We used this database to search for organisms producing dragmacidin D in our collection consisting of over 2500 samples. Consequently, we reported that an Australian marine sponge RJC-98-305 contains dragmacidin D as a racemic mixture, while sponge RJC-91-011 contains (+)-dragmacidin D as enantiomeric excess. Additionally, the isolation and characterisation of two new dragmacidin analogues, dragmacidins I and J, together with the known dragmacidin E are described. Chapter 4 In this chapter, we report the isolation, characterisation and structure elucidation of leucettazoles AnD from a southern Australian marine sponge Leucetta sp. (CMB-01047), and provide commentary on likely biosynthetic relationships and chemical stability. Leucettazoles AnC are particularly noteworthy in that they feature dual N-fused 2-aminoimidazoles, and a biphenyl ether moiety, and can be viewed as a new sub-class of 2-aminoimidazoles, where leucettazole D can be viewed as a biosynthetic monomeric precursor to leucettazoles AnC. Chapter 5 This chapter describes an investigation into the chemistry of two Australian Irciniidae (CMB-01018, Psammocinia sp. and CMB-01012, Sarcotragus sp.) sponges. These investigations afforded four new sesterterpene glycinyl-lactams, two new sesterterpene phenylethylene lactams, a new sesterterpene lactone, four known variabilin isomers, glycinyl lactam ircinialactams A and C and a C-21 furanoterpene acid. Chapter 6 This chapter accounts for a comprehensive exploration of the structural class of the CspB inhibitor (oceanapiate A) from a marine sponge Oceanapia sp. (CMB-02017). Structural characterisation portrays in-depth analysis of LC-QTOF-MS along with utilisation of synthesis revealing a new class of natural product. Chapter 7 This chapter describes method development and verification of 2D C3 Marfeyrs method using a known cyclic hexapeptide, desotamide A. The 2D C3 Marfeyrs method is an analytical approach for determining the regiochemistry of enantiomeric amino acid residues in natural products. Furthermore, we describe its application in structure elucidation of a new heptapeptide, talarolide A, accomplished by NMR data and extensive MS/MS interpretation.

Chemical investigation of two Irciniidae sponges collected by hand (SCUBA) from Australian near shore waters, afforded six new examples of a rare class of sesterterpene lactam; ircinialactams B (1), G (2), H (5), and I (6), and 8-hydroxyircinialactams C (3) and G (4); together with the new biosynthetically related lactone, ircinialactone A (7). Also isolated were seven biosynthetically related known Irciniidae metabolites; ircinialactams A (8) and C (9), (7E,12E,20Z,18S)-variabilin (10), (7Z,12Z,20Z,18S)-variabilin (11), (7E,12Z,20Z,18S)-variabilin (12), (7Z,12E,20Z,18S)-variabilin (13) and irciniafuran A (14). The structure elucidation of 1-14 was achieved by detailed spectroscopic analysis, and consideration of a plausible biosynthetic relationship linking Irciniidae sesterterpene β-furans, lactams and lactones.

Marine sponges harbour complex microbial communities of ecological and biotechnological importance. Here, we propose the application of the widespread sponge family Irciniidae as an appropriate model in microbiology and biochemistry research. Half a gram of one Irciniidae specimen hosts hundreds of bacterial species-the vast majority of which are difficult to cultivate-and dozens of fungal and archaeal species. The structure of these symbiont assemblages is shaped by the sponge host and is highly stable over space and time. Two types of quorum-sensing molecules have been detected in these animals, hinting at microbe-microbe and host-microbe signalling being important processes governing the dynamics of the Irciniidae holobiont. Irciniids are vulnerable to disease outbreaks, and concerns have emerged about their conservation in a changing climate. They are nevertheless amenable to mariculture and laboratory maintenance, being attractive targets for metabolite harvesting and experimental biology endeavours. Several bioactive terpenoids and polyketides have been retrieved from Irciniidae sponges, but the actual producer (host or symbiont) of these compounds has rarely been clarified. To tackle this, and further pertinent questions concerning the functioning, resilience and physiology of these organisms, truly multi-layered approaches integrating cutting-edge microbiology, biochemistry, genetics and zoology research are needed. Portuguese Foundation [PTDC/MAR/101431/2008, PTDC/BIA-MIC/3865/2012]; European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Operational Competitiveness Programme (COMPETE); national funds through FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology) [PEst-C/MAR/LA0015/2011]; FCT [SFRH/BD/60873/2009] info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Ircinia variabilis (Schmidt, 1862) Figure 2 E, 3 E(1, 2, 3) Hircinia variabilis Schmidt 1862: 34 Ircinia variabilis Manconi et al. 2013: 31, Figure 19. Material examined. ESFM ���POR / 2014 ���006, October 2013, 9 m, on sandy bottom, 1 specimen. Notes. Specimen has brown color in alcohol (Fig. 2 E). Consistency is soft and elastic. Oscules are arranged in disorder, which is up to 6 mm. Skeleton network of primary (80���180 ��m) fibres were cored by grains (Fig. 3 E 2), and secondary fibres are thinner than primary fibres (30���40 ��m) (Fig. 3 E 1). It has a very thin filaments (4���8 ��m), and the inclusions were absent (Fig. 3 E 3). Habitat and distribution. This species was previously collected in different hard bottom (cave, coralligenous community, detritic and rocky) habitats in the Mediterranean Sea (Schmidt 1862, Vacelet 1959, Pansini 1987, Voultsiadou 2005, Evcen & Cinar 2012) and the coasts of West Africa, Atlantic Ocean (Burton 1956)., Published as part of Evcen, Alper, ��inar, Melih Ertan, Zengin, Mustafa, S��er, Serdar & R��zgar, Melih, 2016, New records of five sponge species (Porifera) for the Black Sea, pp. 267-275 in Zootaxa 4103 (3) on page 272, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4103.3.5, http://zenodo.org/record/264012, {"references":["Schmidt, O. (1862) Die Spongien des adriatischen Meeres. Wilhelm Engelmann, Leipzig, i - viii, 1 - 88, pls 1 - 7.","Manconi, R., Cadeddu, B., Ledda, F. & Pronzato, R. (2013) An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). Zookeys, 281, 1. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.3897 / zookeys. 281.4171","Vacelet, J. (1959) Repartition generale des eponges et systematique des eponges cornees de la region de Marseille et de quelques stations mediterraneennes. Recueil des Travaux de la Station marine d'Endoume, 16, 39 - 101.","Pansini, M. (1987). Littoral demosponges from the banks of the Strait of Sicily and the Alboran Sea. In: Vacelet, J. & Boury- Esnault, N. (Eds.), Taxonomy of Porifera from the N. E. Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. NATO ASI Series G 13. Springer- Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp. 149 - 185.","Voultsiadou, E. (2005) Demosponge distribution in the eastern Mediterranean: a NW - SE gradient. Helgolander Marine Research, 59, 237 - 251. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1007 / s 10152 - 005 - 0224 - 8","Evcen, A. & Cinar, M. E. (2012) Sponge (Porifera) species from the Mediterranean coast of Turkey (Levantine Sea, eastern Mediterranean), with a checklist of sponges from the coasts of Turkey. Turkish Journal of Zoology, 36, 460 - 474.","Burton, M. (1956) The sponges of West Africa. Atlantide Report (Scientific Results of the Danish Expedition to the Coasts of Tropical West Africa, 1945 - 1946, Copenhagen), 4, 111 - 147."]}

This paper describes a dataset of macrofaunal organisms associated with the sponge Sarcotragus foetidus Schmidt, 1862, collected by scuba diving from two sampling sites: one in Greece (North Aegean Sea) and one in Cyprus (Levantine Sea). This dataset includes macrofaunal taxa inhabiting the demosponge Sarcotragus foetidus and contributes to the ongoing efforts of the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) which aims at filling the gaps in our current knowledge of the world's oceans. This is the first paper, to our knowledge, where the macrofauna associated with S. foetidus from the Levantine Basin is being recorded. In total, 90 taxa were recorded, from which 83 were identified to the species level. Eight of these species are new records for the Levantine Basin. The dataset contains 213 occurrence records, fully annotated with all required metadata. It is accessible at http://lifewww-00.her.hcmr.gr:8080/medobis/resource.do?r=organismic_assemblages_sarcotragus_foetidus_cyprus_greece

Marine sponges of the Irciniidae family contain both bioactive furanosesterterpene tetronic acids (FTAs) and prenylated hydroquinones (PHQs). Both classes of compounds are known for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties and known to display growth inhibitory effects against various human tumor cell lines. However, the different experimental conditions of the reported in vitro bioassays, carried out on different cancer cell lines within separate studies, prevent realistic actual discrimination between the two classes of compounds from being carried out in terms of growth inhibitory effects. In the present work, a chemical investigation of irciniid sponges from Tunisian coasts led to the purification of three known FTAs and three known PHQs. The in vitro growth inhibitory properties of the six purified compounds have been evaluated in the same experiment in a panel of five human and one murine cancer cell lines displaying various levels of sensitivity to proapoptotic stimuli. Surprisingly, FTAs and PHQs elicited distinct profiles of growth inhibitory-responses, differing by one to two orders of magnitude in favor of the PHQs in all cell lines. The obtained comparative results are discussed in the light of a better selection of drug candidates from natural sources., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

CINAR, Melih Ertan/0000-0002-1802-2801 WOS: 000375270800005 PubMed: 27394733 The present study deals with five sponge species [Chalinula renieroides, Haliclona (Halichoclona) fulva, H. (Rhizoniera) rosea, Hymedesmia (Hymedesmia) pansa and Ircinia variabilis] belonging to 3 families (Chalinidae, Hymedesmiidae, and Irciniidae) found at one locality (near the opening of Kizilirmak River) on the Black Sea coast of Turkey. All these species are new records for the Black Sea. Three species (Chalinula renieroides, H. (R.) rosea and H. (H.) pansa] are also new records for the marine fauna of Turkey. All these species were previously reported from Mediterranean Sea and the eastern Atlantic Ocean. The morphological and distributional features of these species are presented project BENTHIS [EU-FP7-312088] Sponge specimens were collected during the field works of the project BENTHIS EU-FP7-312088 (Benthic Ecosystem Fisheries Impact Study).

8 páginas, 1 figura., The demosponge orders Dictyoceratida and Dendroceratida are historically assigned to the keratose (or “horny”) sponges, which are mostly devoid of primary skeletal elements, but possess an elaborate skeleton of organic fibres instead. This paucity of complex mineral skeletal elements makes their unambiguous classification and phylogenetic reconstruction based on morphological features difficult. Here we present the most comprehensive molecular phylogeny to date for the Dendroceratida, Dictyoceratida, and also other sponge orders that largely lack a mineral skeleton or skeletal elements at all (i.e. Verongida, Halisarcida, Chondrosida), based on independent mitochondrial and nuclear markers. We used molecular data to validate the coherence of all recognised orders, families and subfamilies that are currently defined using morphological characteristics. We discussed the significance of morphological and chemotaxonomic characters for keratosesponges, and suggested adapted definitions for the classification of dendroceratid, dictyoceratid, and verongid higher taxa. Also, we found that chondrosid sponges are non-monophyletic with respect to Halisarcida. Verongida and Dendroceratida were monophyletic, however most of their classically recognised families were not recovered. This indicated that the current distinction between dendritic and mesh-like fibre skeletons is not significant at this level of classification. Dysideidae were found to be the sister-group to the remaining Dictyoceratida. Irciniidae formed a distinct clade, however Thorectidae and Spongiidae could not be separated with the molecular markers used. Finally, we are establishing the name Verongimorpha for the clade combining verongid, chondrosid and halisarcid taxa and readjust the content of its sister-clade Keratosa., DE acknowledges financial support of the European Union under a Marie-Curie outgoing fellowship (MOIF-CT-2004 Contract No. 2882). GW acknowledges funding from the German Science Foundation (DFG, project Wo896/6 in the SPP1174 ‘‘Deep Metazoan Phylogeny’’).

Screening an extract library of >2500 southern Australian and Antarctic marine invertebrates and algae for modulators of glycine receptor ( GlyR) chloride channels identified three Irciniidae sponges that yielded new examples of a rare class of glycinyl lactam sesterterpene, ircinialactam A,8-hydroxyircinialactam A, 8-hydroxyircinialactam B, ircinialactam C, ent-ircinialactam C and ircinialactam D. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) investigations revealed a new pharmacophore with potent and subunit selective modulatory properties against alpha 1 and alpha 3 GlyR isoforms. Such GlyR modulators have potential application as pharmacological tools, and as leads for the development of GlyR targeting therapeutics to treat chronic inflammatory pain, epilepsy, spasticity and hyperekplexia. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Genus Ircinia Nardo, 1833 Definition. Unarmoured Irciniidae with massive fascicular primary fibers, cored with foreign debris (from Cook & Bergquist 2002 b)., Published as part of Sandes, Joana & Pinheiro, Ulisses, 2014, Dictyoceratida (Porifera: Demospongiae) from Tropical Southwestern Atlantic (Northeastern Brazil, Sergipe State) and the description of three new species, pp. 445-461 in Zootaxa 3838 (4) on page 446, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3838.4.4, http://zenodo.org/record/227652, {"references":["Nardo, G. D. (1833) Auszug aus einem neuen System der Spongiarien, wonach bereits die Aufstellung in der Universitats- Sammlung zu Padua gemacht ist. In: Isis, oder Encyclopadische Zeitung Coll. Oken, Jena, pp. 519 - 523.","Cook, S. de C. & Bergquist, P. R. (2002 b) Family Irciniidae. In: Hooper, J. N. A., van Soest, R. W. M. (Eds.), Systema Porifera: A guide to the supraspecific classification of the phylum Porifera. Kluwer Academic / Plenum Publishers, New York, pp. 1034 - 1039."]}

Ircinia strobilina (Lamarck, 1816) (Fig. 1���3; Fig. 4) Spongia strobilina Lamarck, 1816: 363. Ircinia strobilina, Hajdu et al. 2011: 210; Moraes 2011: 192. For additional synonymy see Muricy et al. (2011) Specimens examined. UFSPOR 29, off Pirambu (10 �� 49 ��� 47 ������S 36 �� 32 ��� 10 ������W), Sergipe State, Brazil, 30 m depth, coll. Cosme Assis and Dami��o Assis, May 2002; UFSPOR 87, UFSPOR 88, off Pirambu (10 �� 49 ��� 47 ������S 36 �� 32 ��� 10 ������W), Sergipe State, Brazil, 30 m depth, coll. Cosme Assis and Dami��o Assis, July 2002; UFSPOR 85, off Pirambu (10 �� 49 ��� 47 ������S 36 �� 32 ��� 10 ������W), Sergipe State, Brazil, 20 m depth, coll. Cosme Assis and Dami��o Assis, July 2002; UFSPOR 30, UFSPOR 130, off Pirambu (10 �� 49 ��� 47 ������S 36 �� 32 ��� 10 ������W), Sergipe State, Brazil, 20 m depth, coll. Cosme Assis and Dami��o Assis, July 2003; UFSPOR 31, UFSPOR 86, UFSPOR 153, off Aracaju (11 ��03��� 14.71 ������S 36 �� 54 ��� 52.36 ������W), Sergipe State, Brazil, 30 m depth, leg. Petrobras, July 2002; UFSPOR 78, UFSPOR 127, off Aracaju (11 ��03��� 14.71 ������S 36 �� 54 ��� 52.36 ������W), Sergipe State, Brazil, 30 m depth, leg. Petrobras, July 2003; UFSPOR 83, UFSPOR 151, off Est��ncia (11 �� 21 ��� 15.14 ������S 37 ��06��� 1.4 ������W), Sergipe State, Brazil, 30 m depth, leg. Petrobras, December 2002 and July 2002, respectively (Fig. 1���3). External morphology (Fig. 4 A���B). Massive, lobed or globular sponge. The largest specimen is 10.5 x 8 cm (length x width). Conulose surface, with conules up to 5 mm high. The oscules are 1���5 mm in diameter and are grouped on the surface. The consistency is elastic and difficult to cut. Yellowish beige a light brown color in ethanol. Skeleton (Fig. 4 C���D). The skeleton consists of a loose network of fasciculated spongin fibers, cored with foreign spicules and debris. Fibers width: 10���110 ��m (Fig. 4 C). Collagenous filaments are 2.5���5 ��m in diameter, occur in high density and have an oval expanded end (Fig. 4 D). Ecology. The specimens were found 20���30 m deep and some of them were observed attached to coralline algae. Geographical distribution. Tropical Northwestern Atlantic: Florida, Bahamas, Belize, Bonaire, Curacao, Porto Rico, Guiana, Jamaica, Cuba, Colombia, Panama, Bermuda and Venezuela. On the Brazilian coast: Amap��, Cear��, Rio Grande do Norte, Para��ba, Pernambuco, Alagoas, Bahia, Esp��rito Santo (Muricy et al. 2011) and Sergipe States (present study). Remarks. The specimens examined show similarity to other characterizations of Ircinia strobilina from the Caribbean (Wiedenmayer 1977, van Soest 1978, Zea 1987) and Brazil (Muricy et al. 2008, Hajdu et al. 2011, Moraes 2011), such as the shape, size and distance between conules and grouping and characteristics of oscules. However, they differed in some points. The specimens examined here are yellowish beige to light brown in ethanol, while the characteristic colour of I. strobilina was gray or dark brown. Moreover, the fibers of the specimens examined here were thinner (up to 110 ��m thick) when compared to the Caribbean and Brazilian material previously described [up to 1000 ��m wide, according to van Soest (1978)]. However, the specimens from Brazilian oceanic islands showed fibers up to 130 ��m wide (Moraes 2011), which is similar to the specimens examined here. Nevertheless, these differences are considered here to be no more than intraspecific variation., Published as part of Sandes, Joana & Pinheiro, Ulisses, 2014, Dictyoceratida (Porifera: Demospongiae) from Tropical Southwestern Atlantic (Northeastern Brazil, Sergipe State) and the description of three new species, pp. 445-461 in Zootaxa 3838 (4) on pages 453-454, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3838.4.4, http://zenodo.org/record/227652, {"references":["Lamarck, J. B. P. de M. C. de. (1816) Histoire naturelle des animaux sans vertebres, presentant les caracteres generaux et particuliers de ces animaux, leur distribution, leurs classes, leurs familles, leurs genres, et la citation des principales especes qui s'y rapportent. Verdiere, Paris, 586 pp.","Muricy, G., Lopes, D. A., Hajdu, E., Carvalho, M. S., Moraes, F. C., Klautau, M., Menegola, C. & Pinheiro, U. (2011) Catalogue of Brazilian Porifera. Museu Nacional, [Serie Livros, nº 46.], Rio de Janeiro, 212 pp.","Wiedenmayer, F. (1977) Shallow-water sponges of the western Bahamas. Experientia Supplementum, 28, 1 - 287. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1007 / 978 - 3 - 0348 - 5797 - 0","Soest, R. W. M. van. (1978) Marine sponges from Curacao and other Caribbean localities. Part I. Keratosa. In: Hummelinck, P. W., van der Steen, L. J. (Eds.), Uitgaven van de Natuurwetenschappelijke Studiekring voor Suriname en de Nederlandse Antillen. No. 94. Studies on the Fauna of Curacao and other Caribbean Islands, 56 (179), pp. 1 - 94.","Zea, S. (1987) Esponjas del Caribe Colombiano. Bogota, Catalogo Cientifico, Colombia, 286 pp.","Muricy, G., Esteves, E. L., Moraes, F., Santos, J. P., Silva, S. M., Klautau, M. & Lanna, E. (2008) Biodiversidade Marinha da Bacia do Potiguar: Porifera. Museu Nacional, (Serie Livros, v. 29), Rio de Janeiro, 156 pp."]}

Ircinia felix (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864) Synonymy and references. Ircinia felix (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864): Wiedenmayer (1977): 60, pl. 4: 3; van Soest (1978): 33, fig. 11; pl. 6: 4. Material. USNM 1229143, Carrie Bow Cay west, under concrete dock, 0.5 m; K. Ruetzler col. 12 May 1978. More specimens were observed under rock and in forereef caves but not collected. External morphology. Irregular massive and lobate, with oscula slightly raised on lobes. Overall dimensions, 10 x 7 cm, 2 cm thick. Finely conulose surface, conules about 1 mm tall and 2 mm apart. Oscules measure up to 8 mm in diameter. Consistency very tough; color purplish brown, oscules surrounded by a darker, nearly black collar. Skeleton. The ectosome is a tough, conulose skin. Ascending, fasciculated primary fibers (300–500 Μm thick) support the conules and are loaded with sediment particles. The connecting secondaries (20–100 Μm) are mostly clear of debris. Associated filaments (3 Μm) occur in thick strands, their ends ball-shaped and about 10 Μm in diameter. Ecology. A member of the open-reef and mangrove community, but also observed under rocks and in cave habitats, 0.5– 20 m. Distribution. Bermuda, Florida, and the entire Caribbean region., Published as part of Rützler, Klaus, Piantoni, Carla, Van, Rob W. M. & Díaz, Cristina, 2014, Diversity of sponges (Porifera) from cryptic habitats on the Belize barrier reef near Carrie Bow Cay, pp. 1-129 in Zootaxa 3805 (1) on pages 93-94, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3805.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/249983, {"references":["Duchassaing de Fonbressin, P. & Michelotti, G. (1864) Spongiaires de la mer Caraibe. Natuurkundige verhandelingen van de Hollandsche maatschappij der wetenschappen te Haarlem, 21, 1 - 124.","Wiedenmayer, F. (1977) Shallow-water sponges of the western Bahamas. Experimentia Supplementum 28, Birkhauser Verlag, Basel & Stuttgart, pp. 1 - 287, pls. 1 - 43.","van Soest, R. W. M. (1978) Marine sponges from Curacao and other Caribbean localities. Part I. Keratosa. Studies on the Fauna of Curacao and other Caribbean Islands, 56 (179), 1 - 94."]}

Rützler, Klaus, Piantoni, Carla, Van, Rob W. M., Díaz, Cristina (2014): Diversity of sponges (Porifera) from cryptic habitats on the Belize barrier reef near Carrie Bow Cay. Zootaxa 3805 (1): 1-129, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3805.1.1

Ircinia strobilina (Lamarck, 1816) Synonymy and references. Ircinia strobilina (Lamarck, 1816): Wiedenmayer (1977): 61, pl. 5: 1, 2; van Soest (1978): 40; pl. 8: 2. Material. USNM 1229144, Curlew Bank forereef cave, 20 m; C. Piantoni col. 29 Jun 2007. External morphology. This specimen is cone-shaped, 4 cm tall, 3 cm in diameter. The surface conules are large, up to 7 mm tall and about that much apart from each other, and many are interconnected by ridges. There are a few oscula of 2 mm diameter, one of 5 mm near the top. Color is dark grayish brown. Skeleton. The ectosome is a tough skin, with sand grains embedded. The fiber network is very similar to that in Ircinia felix, but coarser: primary, fasciculated fibers can be nearly 1 mm thick and are connected by branching secondaries. Filaments and their end knobs too resemble the ones in I. felix. Ecology. Large specimens occur in abundance on the open reef, occasionally in the mangrove, but the species is rare in caves; most specimens were seen in 2– 20 m. Distribution. Bermuda, Florida, and the entire Caribbean region; also off Brazil., Published as part of Rützler, Klaus, Piantoni, Carla, Van, Rob W. M. & Díaz, Cristina, 2014, Diversity of sponges (Porifera) from cryptic habitats on the Belize barrier reef near Carrie Bow Cay, pp. 1-129 in Zootaxa 3805 (1) on page 94, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3805.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/249983, {"references":["Lamarck, J. B. P. de M. (1816) Histoire naturelle des animaux sans vertebres, presentant les caracteres generaux et particuliers de ces animaux, leur distribution, leurs classes, leurs familles, leurs genres, et la citation des principales especes qui s'y rapportent. Vol. 2. Verdiere, Paris, 568 pp.","Wiedenmayer, F. (1977) Shallow-water sponges of the western Bahamas. Experimentia Supplementum 28, Birkhauser Verlag, Basel & Stuttgart, pp. 1 - 287, pls. 1 - 43.","van Soest, R. W. M. (1978) Marine sponges from Curacao and other Caribbean localities. Part I. Keratosa. Studies on the Fauna of Curacao and other Caribbean Islands, 56 (179), 1 - 94."]}

Ircinia repens sp. nov. (Fig. 1–2; Fig. 3; Tab. 1–2) Ircinia ramosa, sensu Boury-Esnault 1973: 289. Not Hircinia ramosa Keller, 1889: 345; Hircinia ramosa de Laubenfels 1934: 24; Hircinia dickinsoni de Laubenfels, 1936: 18; Ircinia ramosa, de Laubenfels 1948: 73; de Laubenfels 1950: 12, de Laubenfels 1954: 23, Hartman 1955: 164. Type specimens. Holotype—MNRJ 17619, off Pirambu (10 º 45 ’ 36 ’’S 36 º 36 ’08’’W), Sergipe State, Brazil, 20 m depth, coll. Cosme Assis and Damião Assis, July 2003. Paratypes: UFSPOR 47, UFSPOR 129, off Pirambu (10 º 45 ’ 36 ’’S 36 º 36 ’08’’W), Sergipe State, Brazil, 20 m depth, coll. Cosme Assis and Damião Assis, July 2003; UFPEPOR 1622, off Pirambu (10 º 45 ’ 36 ’’S 36 º 36 ’08’’W), Sergipe State, Brazil, 20 m depth, coll. Cosme Assis and Damião Assis, July 2002; UFSPOR 34, UFSPOR 103, UFSPOR 117, UFSPOR 152, off Aracaju (11 º03’ 14.71 ’’S 36 º 54 ’ 52.36 ’’W), Sergipe State, Brazil, 30 m depth, leg. Petrobras, July 2002 (Fig. 1–2). Diagnosis. Ircinia of ramose growth form, composed by repent branches and oscular projections. External Morphology (Fig. 3 A–B). Ramose shaped, composed of repent branches with pointed ends (Fig. 3 A). The largest specimen is 18 x 2 cm (length x width). Conulose surface, with conules less than 1 mm high, 0.5–2 mm apart from each other. The oscular projections are up to 10 mm high (Fig. 3 B) and irregularly distributed over the surface. The oscules have 2 mm in diameter. The consistency is compressible, elastic and easy to cut. Light to dark brown color in ethanol. Skeleton (Fig 3 C–E). The skeleton consists of a loose network of fasciculated spongin fibers, cored with foreign spicules and debris. The dermis is covered with an abundance of foreign debris. Primary fibers are 125–215 – 287.5 µm wide and secondary fibers are 35–81 – 112.5 µm. The primary fibers are cored with more debris than the secondary fibers. Some secondary fibers aren’t cored (Fig. 3 C–D). Collagenous filaments are 2.5–5 µm wide and occur in high density. Its expanded end is oval, 5–6.3 µm in diameter (Fig. 3 E). Ecology. The specimens were found 20–30 m deep and some of them were observed attached to coralline algae. Geographical distribution. Tropical Southwestern Atlantic, Northeastern of Brazil, Bahia and Sergipe States (Boury-Esnault 1973 and present study). Etymology. The species name refers to its repent growth. Remarks. The new species belongs in Ircinia due to the presence of fasciculated fibers cored with foreign debris and collagenous filaments. The presence of a dermal dusting of foreign debris is similar to Psammocinia. However, the massive fascicular fibers differentiate the new species from this genus, which makes Ircinia the best fit for the new species. Of all species of Ircinia from the Tropical Western Atlantic, Ircinia repens sp. nov. is more similar to Ircinia ramosa, since both have ramose form (Tab. 1). This species was described by Keller (1889) and collected in the Red Sea, characterized by possessing a ramose growth form and thin collagenous filaments (2 mm thick), but its material type was unknown. De Laubenfels (1950) and Hartman (1955) reported this species to the Caribbean and Western Mexico, respectively. Their characterizations differ from the description of Keller (1889), mainly in the distance between conules, the thickness of collagenous filaments and the presence of a dermal dusting of foreign debris (Table 2). However, this latter feature is not reliable to separate these populations since the foreign debris in dermis might be a result of environmental conditions. De Laubenfels (1954) and Bergquist (1965) recorded I. ramosa for the Pacific Ocean and their characterizations were quite similar to the original description of Keller (1889). Bergquist (1965) noticed that I. ramosa from Pacific Ocean is co-specific with the Red Sea, and concluded that, due to the morphological differences and the great geographical distance between the Caribbean and these regions, the population of I. ramosa from Caribbean needed a new name. Nevertheless, Boury-Esnault (1973) identified sponges collected in Brazil (Bahia and Sergipe State) as I. ramosa. Analyzing images of these specimens, we realized that the new species is co-specific with I. ramosa sensu Boury-Esnault (1973), which differs from its congeners in the Tropical Western Atlantic in the presence of repent branches and oscular projections, whereas the population of I. ramosa from the Caribbean has vertical branches and absence of oscular projections (Table 1–2). Even though the ramose growing form is a common characteristic I. ramosa, I. dickinsoni (de Laubenfels, 1936) and I. felix, I. repens sp. nov. differs from them because of the presence of repent branches and oscular projections. Additionally, compared to the new species, I. dickinsoni has higher and more widely spaced conules (1–2 mm high and 2–3 mm apart), no visible oscules and a spongy consistency, whereas I. felix has larger oscules (3–6 mm in diameter) scattered over the surface, and higher and more widely spaced conules (0.5–4 mm high and 1–6 mm apart).

Sandes, Joana, Pinheiro, Ulisses (2014): Dictyoceratida (Porifera: Demospongiae) from Tropical Southwestern Atlantic (Northeastern Brazil, Sergipe State) and the description of three new species. Zootaxa 3838 (4): 445-461, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3838.4.4

Ircinia sergipana sp. nov. (Fig. 1 ��� 1; Fig. 2; Tab. 1) Type specimen. Holotype���MNRJ 17618, off Pirambu (10 �� 45 ��� 36 ������S 36 �� 36 ���08������W), Sergipe State, Brazil, 20 m depth, coll. Cosme Assis and Dami��o Assis, December 2002 (Fig. 1 ��� 1). Diagnosis. Ircinia with massive lobed form, conulose surface with projections up to 10 mm high and region between conules perforated by oscules. External morphology (Fig. 2 A���B). Massive lobed in shape, single specimen, 8 x 7.5 cm (width x height) (Fig. 2 A). Conulose surface with projections up to 10 mm high and region between conules perforated by oscules smaller than 1 mm in diameter. The conules are 1���5 mm high, 3���5 mm apart (Fig. 2 B). Consistency firm, elastic, easy to cut, and little compressible. Light beige color in ethanol. Skeleton (Fig. 2 C���D). The skeleton consists of a loose network of fasciculated spongin fibers with primary and secondary elements cored with foreign debris. Fibers are 35���82.8 ��� 130 ��m wide and oval meshes up to 160 ��m in diameter (Fig. 2 C). Collagenous filaments are 2.5���5 ��m wide and occur in high density. Its expanded end is a circle of 5���7.5 ��m in diameter (Fig. 2 D). Foreign spicules were also observed coring the fibers. Ecology. The specimen was found at 20 m depth. Geographical distribution. Tropical Southwestern Atlantic, Northeastern of Brazil, Sergipe State. Etymology. The species name refers to the study area, Sergipe State. Remarks. The family Irciniidae is characterized by spongin fiber skeletons supplemented with thin collagenous filaments. Ircinia is different from other genera of Irciniidae due to the presence of fascicular primary fibers, cored with foreign debris, and the absence of sand-armoured crust (Cook & Bergquist 2002 b). Even though the genus is easily recognized, the presence of a dermal dusting of foreign debris makes it difficult to differentiate Ircinia and Psammocinia Lendenfeld, 1889. However, characteristics of fascicular primary fibers are useful in separating these groups, since Ircinia species have massive fascicular fibers, whereas Psammocinia species sometimes show moderate fasciculation with simple primary fibers (Cook 2007). More difficult is the ability to consistently and clearly differentiate species of Ircinia due to uniformity of their internal morphology, habitat variability and surface characteristics. This difficulty makes ecological and morphological studies urgently needed in this genus (Bergquist 1965). Ircinia presently consists of 74 species, 13 of which occur in the Tropical Western Atlantic (Van Soest et al. 2014). Five of the species occur on the Brazilian coast: Ircinia campana (Lamarck, 1814); Ircinia felix (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864); Ircinia pauciarenaria Boury-Esnault, 1973; Ircinia ramosa (Keller, 1889) and Ircinia strobilina (Lamarck, 1816) (Muricy et al. 2011). Ircinia pauciarenaria was described by Boury-Esnault (1973) based on the presence of collagenous filaments of small thickness and small amount of foreign debris. However, when Muricy et al. (2011) proposed syntypes based on material from the Mus��um National d' Histoire Naturalle (MNHN), they realized that the only two specimens identified as I. pauciarenaria were in fact not co-specific. Moreover, Moraes (2011) remarked that the species was a junior synonym of I. strobilina. We analyzed fragments of specimens and realized that the syntype MNHN 1012 actually corresponds to I. strobilina (see Muricy et al. 2011, p. 76, fig. 7 H). Thus, we designated MNHN 1022 as lectotype of I. pauciarenaria (see Muricy et al. 2011, p. 77, fig. 8 A). The new species described here belongs in Ircinia because of the presence of collagenous filaments, the absence of dermal armour and fasciculate fibers cored with foreign debris. Traditionally, only the fasciculate primary fibers of Ircinia are cored by foreign debris. However, like Ircinia sergipana sp. nov., Ircinia felix sensu van Soest (1978) has both primary and secondary fibers cored. Also, it differs from Ircinia sergipana sp. nov. due to the presence of small conules (up to 4 mm high) and the absence of projections and oscules with dark edges. Ircinia sergipana sp. nov. is set apart from its congeners in the Tropical Western Atlantic by reason of the combination of massive lobed growth form, the presence of projections up to 10 mm high and the region between conules is perforated by oscules. The only species that has conules up to 10 mm high is Ircinia strobilina. However, compared to the new species, it presents more widely spaced conules (5���15 mm) and no projections. Both species have visible oscules on the surface, but the oscules of I. strobilina are larger (4���10 mm in diameter) and always occur in groups, while the oscules of I. sergipana sp. nov. are less than 1 mm in diameter and distributed in the region between conules (Fig. 2 B; Tab. 1). Ircinia sergipana sp. nov. shares the massive lobed form with I. pauciarenaria. However, it differs from the new species in the dark brown color, the absence of projections up to 10 mm high and the absence of a region between conules perforated by oscules. Moreover, I. campana also has large conules (up to 8 mm high) as for I. sergipana sp. nov., but differs from the new species due to its cup-shaped growth form (Tab. 1)., Published as part of Sandes, Joana & Pinheiro, Ulisses, 2014, Dictyoceratida (Porifera: Demospongiae) from Tropical Southwestern Atlantic (Northeastern Brazil, Sergipe State) and the description of three new species, pp. 445-461 in Zootaxa 3838 (4) on pages 446-448, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3838.4.4, http://zenodo.org/record/227652, {"references":["Cook, S. de C. & Bergquist, P. R. (2002 b) Family Irciniidae. In: Hooper, J. N. A., van Soest, R. W. M. (Eds.), Systema Porifera: A guide to the supraspecific classification of the phylum Porifera. Kluwer Academic / Plenum Publishers, New York, pp. 1034 - 1039.","Lendenfeld, R. von. (1889) A monograph of the horny sponges. Trubner and Co., London, 936 pp.","Cook, S. de C. (2007) Clarification of dictyoceratid taxonomic characters, and the determination of genera. In: Custodio, M. R., Lobo-Hajdu, G., Hajdu, E., Muricy, G (Eds.). Porifera Research: Biodiversity, Innovation and Sustainability. Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro, pp. 265 - 274.","Bergquist, P. R. (1965) The Sponges of Micronesia, Part I: The Palau Archipelago. Pacific Sciences, 19 (2), 123 - 204.","Soest, R. W. M. van, Boury-Esnault, N., Hooper, J. N. A., Rutzler, K., Voogd, N. J. de, Alvarez, B., Hajdu, E., Pisera, A. B., Manconi, R., Schoenberg, C., Janussen, D., Tabachnick, K. R, Klautau, M., Picton, B., Kelly, M., Vacelet, J., Dohrmann, M., Diaz, C. M. & Cardenas, P. (2014) World Porifera Database. Available from: http: // www. marinespecies. org / porifera / (accessed 1 April 2014)","Duchassaing F. de P. & Michelotti, G. (1864) Spongiaires de la mer Caraibe. Nat. Verh. Holl. Maatsch. Wetensch. Haarlem, 21 (2), 1 - 124.","Boury-Esnault, N. (1973) Resultats Scientifiques des Campagnes de la ' Calypso': Campagne de la ' Calypso' au large des cotes atlantiques de l'Amerique du Sud (1961 - 1962). I. 29. Spongiaires. Annales de l'Institut oceanographique, 49 (Supplement 10), 263 - 295.","Keller, C. (1889) Die Spongienfauna des rothen Meeres (I. Halfte). Zeitschrift fur wissenschaftliche Zoologie, 48, 311 - 405.","Lamarck, J. B. P. de M. C. de. (1816) Histoire naturelle des animaux sans vertebres, presentant les caracteres generaux et particuliers de ces animaux, leur distribution, leurs classes, leurs familles, leurs genres, et la citation des principales especes qui s'y rapportent. Verdiere, Paris, 586 pp.","Muricy, G., Lopes, D. A., Hajdu, E., Carvalho, M. S., Moraes, F. C., Klautau, M., Menegola, C. & Pinheiro, U. (2011) Catalogue of Brazilian Porifera. Museu Nacional, [Serie Livros, nº 46.], Rio de Janeiro, 212 pp.","Soest, R. W. M. van. (1978) Marine sponges from Curacao and other Caribbean localities. Part I. Keratosa. In: Hummelinck, P. W., van der Steen, L. J. (Eds.), Uitgaven van de Natuurwetenschappelijke Studiekring voor Suriname en de Nederlandse Antillen. No. 94. Studies on the Fauna of Curacao and other Caribbean Islands, 56 (179), pp. 1 - 94."]}

Two new species of the genus Psammocinia (Dictyoceratida, Irciniidae), P. conulosa n. sp. and P. ulleungensis n. sp., are described from Namhaedo Island and Ulleungdo Island, Korea. Psammocinia conulosa n. sp. seems to be close to both P. amodes Cook and Bergquist, 1998 and P. hawere Cook and Bergquist, 1996 on the basis of the skeletal structure. However, these three species are clearly separated by the following differences: Shape of P. amodes is spatulate and thin, with a broad blade narrowing to a semi‐cylindrical stalk; P. hawere forms cups with a shallow excavated bowl, and attached to the substratum by a narrow base. The whole surface of the new species is very finely conulose. Psammocinia ulleungensis n. sp. is similar to P. gageoensis Sim and Lee, 2001 in shape, but this species is easily distinguished from P. gageoensis by the simple skeletal structure.

Two new species of the genus Psammocinia (Dictyoceratida, Irciniidae), P. lobatus and P. rubra, are described from Gageodo Island (Sohuksando Island) and Jejudo Island, Korea. Psammocinia lobatus is most closely related to P. wandoensis Sim and Lee in growth form. However, it can be distinguished by its sharp conules and primary and secondary fibres, lightly cored with detritus. Psammocinia rubra is readily distinguished from the other described Psammocinia species by the blunt conules, reddish brown color of specimen, brown color of fibres and filaments, secondary web between adjacent primary fibres and filament coated with brown granules.

Complex and distinct bacterial communities inhabit marine sponges and are believed to be essential to host survival, but our present-day inability to domesticate sponge symbionts in the laboratory hinders our access to the full metabolic breadth of these microbial consortia. We address bacterial cultivation bias in marine sponges using a procedure that enables direct comparison between cultivated and uncultivated symbiont community structures. Bacterial community profiling of the sympatric keratose species Sarcotragus spinosulus and lrcinia variabilis (Dictyoceratida, Irciniidae) was performed by polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and 454-pyrosequecing of 16S rRNA gene fragments. Whereas cultivation-independent methods revealed species-specific bacterial community structures in these hosts, cultivation-dependent methods resulted in equivalent community assemblages from both species. Between 15 and 18 bacterial phyla were found in S. spinosulus and I. variabilis using cultivation-independent methods. However, Alphaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria dominated the cultivation-dependent bacterial community. While cultivation-independent methods revealed about 200 and 220 operational taxonomic units (OTUs, 97% gene similarity) in S. spinosulus and I. variabilis, respectively, only 33 and 39 OTUs were found in these species via culturing. Nevertheless, around 50% of all cultured OTUs escaped detection by cultivation-independent methods, indicating that standard cultivation makes otherwise host-specific bacterial communities similar by selectively enriching for rarer and generalist symbionts. This study sheds new light on the diversity spectrum encompassed by cultivated and uncultivated sponge-associated bacteria. Moreover, it highlights the need to develop alternative culturing technologies to capture the dominant sponge symbiont fraction that currently remains recalcitrant to laboratory manipulation. Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) [PTDC/MAR/101431/2008]; FCT [SFRH/BD/60873/2009]; FCT postdoctoral fellowship [SFRII/BPD/62946/2009]; European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the COMPETE (Operational Competitiveness) Programme; FCT under the project [PEst-C/MAR/LA0015/2011]; FCT-funded research project [PTDC/BIA-MIC/3865/2012] info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Ircinia variabilis (Schmidt, 1862) Fig. 19 Hircinia variabilis Schmidt, 1862: 34. Description. Growth form massive up to 20-25 cm in height and diameter. Colour also notably variable: from light or dark grey, to light or dark brown and light or dark violet. Consistency elastic and strong. Dimension and density of conules variable, not representing a valid diagnostic character. Oscules arranged in disorder. Skeleton network of primary (150-250 µm) fibres cored by opaque foreign materials supporting conules at their apices; secondary fibres mostly free of inclusions, and highly variable in diameter (10-200 µm). Habitat. Cave, coralligenous community, detritic and rocky bottom, Posidonia oceanica meadow, lagoon, epibiotic on Pinna nobilis. Bathymetric range 0-450 m. Mediterranean caves. Blava, Blue, Meda Petita, Petita de la Vaca caves (Balearic Sea); Galatea*, Falco*, Bisbe* caves (Sardinian Sea); Niolon Cave (Gulf of Lions); Punta Manara, Western-Bonassola caves (Ligurian Sea); Azzurra, Isolotto, Giannutri, Ponza, Monte Vico, Mago, Secca delle Formiche-Vivara, Misteri, Scraio-Vico Equense, Mitigliano caves (Central Tyrrhenian Sea); Maratea, Azzurra, Leone caves (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea); Taccio Vecchio 1 Cave-Lampedusa* (Sicily Channel); Castro Marina, Porto Cesareo, Mazzere*, Gymnasium* caves (Ionian Sea); Croatian, Vrbnik-Krk, Columbera caves (Northern Adriatic Sea); Pagliai, Viole, Bue Marino, Regina, Torre Incine, Piccolo Ciolo, Marinella, Principessa caves (Southern Adriatic Sea); Gournia Cave (Crete, Aegean Sea) (Vacelet 1959; Sarà 1962, 1964a; Labate 1965; Pulitzer-Finali and Pronzato 1976, 1980; Pansini et al. 1977; Pulitzer-Finali 1977; Pansini and Pronzato 1982; Bibiloni et al. 1984a, b; Balduzzi et al. 1989; Corriero et al. 2000, 2004; Arko-Pjevac et al. 2001; Martì et al. 2004; Bussotti et al. 2006; Faresi et al. 2006; Turon et al. 2009; Pronzato and Manconi 2011; Bakran-Petricioli et al. 2012; Cadeddu 2012)., Published as part of Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio & Pronzato, Roberto, 2013, An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae), pp. 1-68 in ZooKeys 281 on page 24, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.281.4171

15 páginas, 7 figuras, 1 tabla., Recent studies have unravelled the diversity of sponge-associated bacteria that may play essential roles in sponge health and metabolism. Nevertheless, our understanding of this microbiota remains limited to a few host species found in restricted geographical localities, and the extent to which the sponge host determines the composition of its own microbiome remains a matter of debate. We address bacterial abundance and diversity of two temperate marine sponges belonging to the Irciniidae family - Sarcotragus spinosulus and Ircinia variabilis – in the Northeast Atlantic. Epifluorescence microscopy revealed that S. spinosulus hosted significantly more prokaryotic cells than I. variabilis and that prokaryotic abundance in both species was about 4 orders of magnitude higher than in seawater. Polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) profiles of S. spinosulus and I. variabilis differed markedly from each other – with higher number of ribotypes observed in S. spinosulus – and from those of seawater. Four PCR-DGGE bands, two specific to S. spinosulus, one specific to I. variabilis, and one present in both sponge species, affiliated with an uncultured sponge-specific phylogenetic cluster in the order Acidimicrobiales (Actinobacteria). Two PCR-DGGE bands present exclusively in S. spinosulus fingerprints affiliated with one sponge-specific phylogenetic cluster in the phylum Chloroflexi and with sponge-derived sequences in the order Chromatiales (Gammaproteobacteria), respectively. One Alphaproteobacteria band specific to S. spinosulus was placed in an uncultured sponge-specific phylogenetic cluster with a close relationship to the genus Rhodovulum. Our results confirm the hypothesized host-specific composition of bacterial communities between phylogenetically and spatially close sponge species in the Irciniidae family, with S. spinosulus displaying higher bacterial community diversity and distinctiveness than I. variabilis. These findings suggest a pivotal host-driven effect on the shape of the marine sponge microbiome, bearing implications to our current understanding of the distribution of microbial genetic resources in the marine realm., This work was financed by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT - http://www.fct.pt) through the research project PTDC/MAR/ 101431/2008. CCPH has a PhD fellowship granted by FCT (Grant No. SFRH/BD/60873/2009). JRX’s research is funded by a FCT postdoctoral fellowship (grant no. SFRH/BPD/62946/2009).

The present study deals with five sponge species [ Chalinula renieroides , Haliclona ( Halichoclona ) fulva , H. ( Rhizoniera ) rosea, Hymedesmia ( Hymedesmia ) pansa and Ircinia variabilis ] belonging to 3 families (Chalinidae, Hymedesmiidae, and Irciniidae) found at one locality (near the opening of Kizilirmak River) on the Black Sea coast of Turkey. All these species are new records for the Black Sea. Three species ( Chalinula renieroides , H. ( R. ) rosea and H. ( H. ) pansa ] are also new records for the marine fauna of Turkey. All these species were previously reported from Mediterranean Sea and the eastern Atlantic Ocean. The morphological and distributional features of these species are presented

Sponges of the family Irciniidae are poorly known in Korean waters. This paper describes a new species of new genus, Bergquistia coreana n. sp. in the family Irciniidae (Demospongiae: Dictyoceratida) from Jejudo Island, Korea from 1998 to 1999. Bergquistia n. gen. is characterized by extremely simple fasciculated and uncored primary fibres. However, in the choano‐somal region, primary fibres are made of wider clear web. Secondary fibres form a very thin regular uncored network. The sponge surface has thick and regular conules. The colour is beige throughout the sponge, and the texture is slightly hard and compressible. Thickness of filament is variable.