Niphates nitida Fromont, 1993

Putra, Singgih Afifa, Ambo-Rappe, Rohani, Jompa, Jamaluddin & de Voogd, Nicole J., 2024, Preliminary study of marine sponges (Porifera) in the littoral of Spermonde Archipelago, Indonesia, ZooKeys 1208, pp. 275-313 : 275-313

Niphates nitida Fromont, 1993

Fig. 11

Diagnostic features.

Ramose repent sponge. Bluish green in life, pale white in alcohol. Oscula are small, 2–4 mm in diameter. Ectosomal shows reticulation fiber tract. Oxeas slightly curved, larger oxeas 120.3–171.3 (139.4) × 4.8–9.3 (6.1) µm (n = 22), thin oxeas 109.3–132.7 (121) × 2.4–5.3 (3.5) µm (n = 14). Microscleres are C-shaped sigmas. This specimen is identified as Niphates nitida due to the reticulation fiber tract on the skeleton and the present of sigmas. Previously, only two species of Niphates recorded from Indonesia. Niphates laminaris Calcinai et al., 2017 is characterized by a non-spiny, rather irregular, microconulose surface and a chaonosomal skeleton with primary and secondary reticulation fiber tracts, as well as numerous microscleres ( Calcinai et al. 2017). Niphates olemda ( de Laubenfels, 1954) is a tubular sponge with small oxeas ( de Laubenfels 1954). Niphates nitida is a new record for Indonesia.

Distribution and ecology.

Previously was reported from Magnetic Island, Australia ( Fromont 1993). This is first record for the Spermonde Archipelago (at Kayangan Island; turbid environment).

Figures

Figure 11. Niphates nitida Fromont, 1993 a habitus in situ at Kayangan Island, the Spermonde Archipelago (photograph by SAP) b ectosmal skeleton c oxeas d sigmas