Clathria ( Cornulotrocha ) rosetafiordica sp. nov. from a south-east Pacific fjord (Chilean Patagonia) (Microcionidae: Poecilosclerida: Demospongiae: Porifera)

• Published in: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
• Main Authors: Hajdu, Eduardo, Desqueyroux-Faúndez, Ruth, Willenz, Philippe
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2006
• Subjects: Aquatic Science; Antarctic; Patagonia; Pacific; Antarc*
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0025315406013920; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0025315406013920

This article reports on a new species originating from the northern Chilean fjord region, which argued for the resurrection of Cornulotrocha , here classified as a new subgenus of Clathria , for sponges with choanosomal acanthostyles, ectosomal quasidiactinal monactines and rosettes of palmate (an)isochelae. Clathria ( Cornulotrocha ) rosetafiordica sp. nov. was collected at 23 m depth at Quintupeu fjord (∼42°S), and is unique within this very large genus, in possessing rosettes of palmate anisochelae. The new species is compared to the only other known Clathria ( Cornulotrocha ), viz. C. ( Cornulotrocha ) cheliradians n. comb.; to the single other Clathria known with anisochelae, viz C. ( Thalysias ) dubia to other crustose Clathria from southern South America, the subantarctic and Antarctic areas; and also to other sponges bearing rosettes; and is considered clearly distinct from all. The phylogenetic significance of rosettes is discussed, a likely adaptive value being discarded in view of the variable location of such structures in the distinct poecilosclerid taxa in which they occur.