Leucandra donnani var. tenuiradiata Dendy, 1916

Van Soest, Rob W. M., 2024, Correcting sponge names: nomenclatural update of lower taxa level Porifera, Zootaxa 5398 (1), pp. 1-122 : 94

Leucandra donnani var. tenuiradiata Dendy, 1916

( Figs. 10G–I )

Leucandra donnani var. tenuiradiata Dendy, 1916: 86 , pl. I figs. 4a–b, pl. II figs. 9a–d.

The variety was described from Dwarka, Gujarat, Okhmandal region NW India, 22.2417°N 68.95°E. no depth given [with presumed holotype BMNH 1925.11.1.1266 (R.N.IV 8, cf. Dendy 1916: 87), and with an additional four paratypes)]. The five specimens were rather different in details of shape and spicule dimensions. Still, the habitus and general spiculation of the var. tenuiradiata was similar to that of the typical variety described by Dendy (1905: 238, pl. XIII fig. 10, from Gulf the of Mannar, approximate coordinates 9°S 79°E, holotype BMNH 1907.2.1. 103). The differences are the sizes and thickness of the spicules, with Dendy (1916: 87) emphasizing the “comparatively large size of the oxeas and the comparatively smaller size of the triradiates of the chamber layer”. Given that the five Okhmandal specimens differed among themselves in the spicule dimensions, the basis for distinguishing different taxonomic units appears too thin, and accordingly I propose to unite the varieties into a single species Leucandra donnani Dendy, 1905 .

Figures

FIGURE 10. A. Suberites microstomus var. stellatus Kirkpatrick, 1908: pl. XV figs. 10, 13, B. Suberites rugosa Kim & Sim, 2021: fig. 7, C. Suberites tortuosa var. austral Cuartas, 1986: fig. 14, D. Leucosolenia blanca var. bathybia Poléjaeff, 1883: pl. I fig. 2, E. Leucosolenia blanca var. brevicaulis Topsent, 1936: fig. 4, F. Grantia ciliata var. spinispiculum; Carter, 1884: pl. VIII, G–I. Leucandra donnani var. tenuiradiata Dendy, 1916, G–H. habitus pl. I figs. 4a–b, I. spicules pl. II figs. 9a–d, J. Leucandra gossei var. mahonica Topsent, 1937b: fig. 1, K. Leucandra regina var. regularis Brøndsted, 1927b: fig. 12.