Iophon nigricans (Bowerbank, 1858)

Iophon nigricans (Bowerbank, 1858) View in CoL

Fig. 14 View Fig

Halichondria nigricans Bowerbank 1866: 266–268 .

Esperia nigricans – Fristedt 1885: 34–35, pl. III fig. 5.

Dendoryx (Iophon) nigricans – Topsent 1891: 528.

Iophon nigricans View in CoL – Stephens 1916: 233; 1920: 29.

Iophon pattersoni View in CoL – Alander 1942: 55.

Material examined (3 specimens)

SWEDEN • 1 spec.; 57.6451° N, 11.6114° E; 74–39 m depth; 24 Aug. 2006; Artprojektets Skagerrak-inventering leg. [SK51]; dredge; P067-111006-1; voucher: GNM Porifera 890 GoogleMaps • 1 spec.; 57.1492° N, 11.6842° E; 30–27 m depth; 31 Aug. 2006; Artprojektets Skagerrak-inventering leg. [KA19]; dredge; P067-111104-1; voucher: GNM Porifera 618 GoogleMaps • 1 spec.; 57.5213° N, 11.6144° E; 30–25 m depth; 20 Aug. 2009; Artprojektets Skagerrak-inventering leg. [KA111]; dredge; P067-111107-1; voucher: GNM Porifera 960 GoogleMaps .

Description

The three specimens have a cushion or arborescent morphology. The colour is dark brown when preserved in ethanol and the natural colour is unknown. The surface is irregular with visible ridges that correspond to the aquiferous system ( Fig. 13A View Fig ). However, the transparent membrane at the surface, typical for specimens of I. nigricans , is not visible. This membrane was possibly lost during collecting as all specimens were collected by dredging. The surface is hispid ( Fig. 13A View Fig ). The consistency is friable and very compressible.

Skeleton

Megascleres are: acanthostyles ( Fig. 13B View Fig ). measuring 198– 267.9– 293.9 ± 26.6 ×4– 7.4 –10.6 ± 2.39 µm (N =11), and tylotyles with spined crowns at the ends ( Fig. 13C View Fig ), measuring 220– 252.1 – 278.9± 21.73 ×3.9– 5.8 –7.5 ± 1.24 µm (N =8). Microscleres are: palmate anisochelae in two size categories ( Fig. 13C–D View Fig ), 10 µm and 30 µm, and very small bipocilles ( Fig. 13E View Fig ), ca 7.5 µm.

Distribution and ecology

The type locality is off Cornwall, England. Furthermore, this species has been reported from the North Atlantic (both eastern and western parts), from the Bering Sea to southern Portugal. There are also some reports from the Mediterranean Sea. This wide distribution might indicate that Iophon nigricans is a species complex.

Remarks

Unfortunately, we were not successful in generating sequences for these specimens. The amplicons obtained resulted in sequences of bacterial contamination from the phylum Pseudomonadota.