Integrative taxonomy justifies a new genus, Nodastrella gen. nov., for North Atlantic "Rossella" species (Porifera: Hexactinellida: Rossellidae)

Molecular systematic studies have indicated that the hexactinellid sponge species Rossella nodastrella Topsent (Lyssacinosida, Rossellidae), previously only known from the NE Atlantic, is only distantly related to its congeners, which are restricted to the Southern Ocean, representing the only case...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Zootaxa
Main Authors: DOHRMANN, MARTIN, GÖCKE, CHRISTIAN, REED, JOHN, JANUSSEN, DORTE
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Mangolia Press 2012
Subjects:
Porifera
Asconema
cold-water coral reefs
glass sponges
molecular systematics
new genus
North Atlantic Ocean
Rossella nodastrella
Southern Ocean
North Atlantic
Glass sponges
Online Access:https://www.mapress.com/j/zt/article/view/zootaxa.3383.1.1
https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3383.1.1
Description
Summary:Molecular systematic studies have indicated that the hexactinellid sponge species Rossella nodastrella Topsent (Lyssacinosida, Rossellidae), previously only known from the NE Atlantic, is only distantly related to its congeners, which are restricted to the Southern Ocean, representing the only case thus far reported of a diphyletic genus in the class Hexactinellida. Here we describe new material of "Rossella" nodastrella from cold-water coral reefs in the NW Atlantic (Florida). Morphological comparison with the holotype from the Azores and specimens recently reported from off Ireland reveal at least two distinct species, which we corroborate with molecular data. Because the diphyletic nature of "Rossella" is further supported with inclusion of the new specimens in the molecular phylogeny, we erect a new genus, Nodastrella gen. nov., for these two species. The Irish specimens are synonymized with our new species Nodastrella asconemaoida sp. nov. Subtle morphological and molecular differences between the E and W Atlantic specimens are for the time being ascribed to intraspecific geographic variation, but indicate that Nodastrella might contain more (sub) species, pending investigation of additional specimens, especially from intermediate locations.

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