Reference images for identification of common Antarctic glass sponges (Porifera: Hexactinellida: Rossellidae) based on macroscopic characteristics ...

• Main Authors: Federwisch, Luisa, Janussen, Dorte, Richter, Claudio
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: PANGAEA 2019
• Subjects: Bentho-Pelagic Processes @ AWI AWI_BPP; Antarc*; Antarctic; Glass sponges
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.1594/pangaea.897623; https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.897623

Glass sponges (Porifera: Hexactinellida) are important structuring elements in many Antarctic shelf communities. Despite many years of research on their ecology, species identification in the common genus Rossella and distinction against the well-studied species Anoxycalyx (Scolymastra) joubini remain problematic. The two main problems are: (1) the unresolved taxonomy of the genus Rossella which is in dire need of revision, and (2) the high morphological variability of some species. Some of the confusion is due to the fact that early species descriptions are partly based on very small individuals or just fragments and are often not comprehensive or clear enough. They usually focus on the spicules and include little information on the general external morphology of the species. However, with the increasing use of non-invasive techniques, such as Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and other camera systems, researchers have to rely on macroscopic features to identify species, and a working concept to this effect ... : Abbreviations for species names used throughout this Data Collection:Ajou = Anoxycalyx (Scolymastra) joubiniRant = Rossella antarcticaRfib = Rossella fibulataRlev = Rossella levisRnud = Rossella nudaRpod = Rossella podagrosaRrac = Rossella racovitzaeRvan = Rossella vanhoeffeniRvil = Rossella villosa ...