Haliclona (Reniera) tubifera ( George & Wilson, 1919 )

Bettcher, Larissa, Fernandez, Julio C. C., Gastaldi, Marianela, Bispo, André, Leal, Camille V., Leite, Dora, Avelino-Alves, Dhara, Clerier, Pedro H. B., Rezende, Dafinny, Gulart, Clara M. R., Pinheiro, Ulisses & Hajdu, Eduardo, 2023, Checklist, diversity descriptors and selected descriptions of a highly diverse intertidal sponge (Porifera) assemblage at Costa do Descobrimento (Bahia, Brazil), Zootaxa 5277 (3), pp. 443-489 : 469-470

Haliclona (Reniera) tubifera ( George & Wilson, 1919)

( Tab. 1–2, 9; Fig. 12A–E )

Synonymy. Reniera tubifera, George & Wilson (1919) . Haliclona hogarthi, Hechtel (1965) . Detailed synonymy in de Weerdt (2000).

Studied material. MNRJ 20562 , P.M.M. Coroa Alta (16°14.056′ S, 38°57.252′ W, Santa Cruz Cabrália, BA, Brazil), intertidal, coll. Leite, D., 25 th March 2019 ; MNRJ 21160 , Praia dos Pescadores (16°29.073′ S, 39°3.999′ W, Arraial D’Ajuda, Porto Seguro, BA, Brazil), intertidal, coll. Fioravanso, A. & Gastaldi, M., 19 th April 2019 ; MNRJ 22235 , P.M.M. Coroa Alta (16°13.200′ S, 38°57.038′ W, Santa Cruz Cabrália, BA, Brazil), intertidal, coll. Fioravanso, A. & Gastaldi, M., 22 nd April 2019 .

Description. Thinly to thickly encrusting, ca. 3 cm maximum diameter, sometimes like a tubular structure laying parallel to the substrate, ending in a circular oscule (3 mm in diameter), or bearing short lobate or volcaniform projections (<1 cm high) also topped by oscula. Fistular projections as a repeating extension or as a free biphid digitiform one were seen in two specimens (MNRJ 22235 and 21160, respectively). Surface visually rough and punctate. Consistency compressible and soft. Color in vivo varies from yellowish-beige to light-purple; light beige in fixative ( Tab. 9; Figs. 12A–B )

Skeleton. Ectosomal skeleton renieroid, from a strictly unispicular to an isotropic reticulation, with variable amounts of spongin. Choanosomal architecture a unispicular, isotropic reticulation, similar to the ectosome, but with loose round meshes; reminiscent of the H. (Soestella) pattern. Spongin more frequently in the choanosome than the ectosome. Sediment present in low amounts in the choanosome too ( Figs. 12C–D ).

Spicules. Megascleres only ( Fig. 12E ): oxeas, stout, with conical, mucronate or rounded points, 101‒139.6‒147 x 1.5‒4.8‒8.2 µm.

Ecology. Sciophilous, under calcareous substrate in the intertidal, growing in direct contact with Cladocroce caelum Santos, Da Silva, Alliz & Pinheiro, 2014 , near additional sponges and diverse filamentous organisms.

Distribution. Previously Virginian ( George & Wilson 1919), the Greater Caribbean (Florida— van Soest 1980. Greater Antilles— Pulitzer-Finali 1986; de Weerdt 2000; Alcolado 2007. Eastern Carib.— de Weerdt 2000; Pérez et al. 2017. Western Carib.— de Weerdt 2000; Ŗtzler et al. 2000; Díaz et al. 2004. Southwestern Carib.— Zea 1987; de Weerdt 2000; Díaz 2005. Southern Carib.— Sutherland 1980; de Weerdt 2000), Northern Gulf of Mexico ( de Weerdt 2000). New record—Southwestern Atlantic (Costa do Descobrimento, BA, Brazil).

Remarks. This species had been recorded from southern Brazil by Lerner (1996), but this identification was questioned by de Weerdt (2000), who suggested the record should be classified in H. (Halichoclona) instead. This record was reviewed in Bispo (2019), who considered Lerner (1996) record to be H. (Halichoclona) vansoesti . The specimens reported here match the species concept in terms of habit, architecture and spicule geometry and dimensions, confirming its occurrence in the Southwestern Atlantic.

Figures

FIGURE 12. Haliclona (Reniera) tubifera (George & Wilson, 1919), MNRJ 22235: A, specimen in life, with arrow pointing to an oscule; B, another specimen (MNRJ 21160) in life; C, longitudinal section of the surface showing an iso- to subisodictyal reticulation in the ectosomal region; D, transverse section showing an irregular iso- to subisodictyal reticulation and rounded channels in the choanosomal region; E, oxeas.