Niphates lutea Lehnert & Van Soest, 1999

Niphates lutea Lehnert & Van Soest, 1999 View in CoL

Figs. 6 View FIGURE 6 A–D

Niphates lutea Lehnert & Van Soest, 1999: 161 View in CoL , Figs. 41–43.

Examined material. MCNPOR 5320, 5350, 72 m, 00°22’N – 44°52’W, 17.VII.2001 (MCNPOR 5320: fragment deposited in ZMAPOR xxxxx)

Material studied for comparison. Niphates alba Van Soest, 1980 : Holotype ZMAPOR 3942, Puerto Rico (material deposited in MCNPOR 2590).

Description. Massive, with cylindrical projection, possibly ramose sponge (not entire specimen) ( Fig. 6 View FIGURE 6 A); measurements of an entire projection: 13.5 cm long (since the base), 3.5 cm in diameter (MCNPOR 5320). Smooth surface, rough to the touch; inner body with branches that grow up toward the surface, where a thin dermis cover it. The dermis also cover the oscules, whose are circular and distributed all over the surface ( 0.1–0.7 cm in diameter). Preserved material compressible but firm consistency, colour light­brown.

Skeleton. Ectosome a confused arrangement of single spicules, tangential reticulation ( Fig. 6 View FIGURE 6 B); some vague tracts may occur. Choanosome a reticulation with multispicular tracts, somewhat dense and connected by seconday fibres, forming rounded to polygonal meshes ( Fig. 6 View FIGURE 6 C); loose spicules are present between the meshes. Primary fibres 70–110 µm in diameter, secondary fibres 30–60 µm in diameter. Meshes 90–710 µm in diameter.

Spicules. Strongyles ( Fig. 6 View FIGURE 6 D): somewhat curved, some almost straight, rarely strongyloxea­like. Measurements: 160– 210. 2 –250 / 2.5– 4. 9 –7.5 µm (MCNPOR 5320); 162.5– 194. 5 –237.5 / 3.8– 4. 8 –5 µm (MCNPOR 5350).

Remarks. Besides N. lutea , the only Niphates from the West Indies which bears strongyles is N. alba Van Soest, 1980 . However, this species has a markedly white colour even preserved, and our samples differ in having a light­brown colour and also a subtle difference in regard to spicules and skeletal features in comparing to N. alba ( holotype examined).

Distribution. Caribbean: Jamaica (Lehnert & Van Soest, 1999). Brazilian coast: Maranhão State (present study).