Suberites ficus ( Johnson, 1842 )

Samaai, Toufiek, Maduray, Seshnee, Janson, Liesl & Ngwakum, Benedicta, 2017, A new species of habitat – forming Suberites (Porifera, Demospongiae, Suberitida) in the Benguela upwelling region (South Africa), Zootaxa 4254 (1), pp. 49-81 : 69-70

Suberites ficus ( Johnson, 1842)

( Figure 10 a–d; Table 2 ; Table S1)

Original description. Suberites ficus ( Johnson, 1842) ; see also van Soest & Hooper 2002, pg. 242.

Synonomy. Alcyonium ficus sensu Linnaeus, 1767 , pg. 1295; Ficulina ficus Linnaeus, 1767 , pg. 1295 (see Uriz 1984, pg. 58); Alcyonium bulbosum Esper, 1806 , pg. 235; Halichondria ficus Johnston, 1842 , pg. 144; Suberites domuncula von Lendenfeld, 1888 , pg. 65 (not Suberites domuncula Olivi, 1792 , pg. 241); Suberites ficus Ackers et al., 1992 , pg. 68.

Material examined. Lectotype BMNH 1847.9.7.51, Halichondria ficus Johnson, 1842 .

Description of gross morphology. Bulbous, or pear–shaped, sometimes bulging from a narrow stalk, 2.5–8 cm in length ( Figure 10 a). Van Soest (2002) described the species as lobate, occasionally cylindrical and may include specimens enveloping gastropod shells and encrusting scallops, 10–40 cm in length. Surface smooth with a velvety appearance with one or more conspicuous, large oscules. Consistency firm and incompressible. Colour in life russet red; in dried state cream/white.

Megascleres. Styles, two types ( Figure 10 b). Type I, slightly curved, heads rounded and having a slight bump. Distally fusiform, sometimes mucronate, 288–345 µm x 7 µm (Van Soest, 2002, measurements 350–500 µm x 10 µm). Type II, very thin, sinuous, heads rounded having a slight bump. Distally fusiform, 153–268 µm x 2 µm (Van Soest, 2002, measurements 100–250 µm x 5 µm) (please refer to Table 2 for comparative measurements).

Microscleres. Microrhabds ( Figure 10 c)—microspined microstrongyles, usually centrotylote, common, 16–28 µm. Smooth microstrongyles, usually centrotylote ( Figure 10 d), common, 24–48 µm.

Skeleton. The skeletal architecture is confused, almost halichondroid, being radial near the surface. The ectosomal skeleton is made up of smaller tylostyles arranged pendicularly forming a dense palisade at the surface. Type locality. Scarborough , England, North Atlantic.

Habitat. Deep water.

Figures

FIGURE 10. Lectotype of S. ficus (Johnson, 1842); a. Habitus; b. Large tylostyle. c. Microspined microcentrostrongyle; d. Smooth microacanthostrongyles.