Diversity of Porifera in the Mediterranean coralligenous accretions, with description of a new species
Author
Bertolino, Marco
Author
Cerrano, Carlo
Author
Bavestrello, Giorgio
Author
Carella, Mirco
Author
Pansini, Maurizio
Author
Calcinai, Barbara
text
ZooKeys
2013
336
1
37
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.336.5139
journal article
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.336.5139
1313-2970-336-1
Cliona burtoni Topsent, 1932
Figs 4
A-L
Cliona burtoni
Topsent, 1932: 577.
Material examined.
Specimen IG-S-BL1-F5B-spB; dry state, Gallinara Island (station 3,
Sciusciau
)
44°01'34"N
,
8°13'45"E
, depth 30 m, collected 17-06-2009. The specimen was entirely used for spicule preparations.
Description.
Boring sponge in alpha growth form, occupying a surface of 1 cm2 in a section of conglomerate. Colour beige in dry state.
Skeleton. Not observed.
Spicules. Macroscleres: tylostyles to subtylostyles straight or slightly curved, 132 (225) 287
x
5 (6) 7.5
μm
. Heads with a rounded or oval tyle, sometimes in terminal position but more often shifted along the shaft (Figs 4A, B, C). Microscleres: spirasters of various shape and thickness, straight or curved, 10 (26.5) 45
x
1.25 (10) 17.5
μm
. The most abundant have scattered conical spines (Figs 4D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K) and numerous are amphiaster-like (Figs 4H, I, K). The smaller ones are microspinated (Fig. 4J, L).
Figure 4.
Cliona burtoni
.
A-C
Tylostyle heads
D-L
Spirasters of various shape and thickness.
Distribution and discussion.
This is a Mediterranean endemic species (
Pansini and Longo 2008
) originally described from Corsica (Strait of Bonifacio), where it is known to bore into calcareous rocks and mollusc shells (
Topsent 1932
). This is a new record for the Ligurian Sea (Gallinara Island) and the coralligenous assemblage and the first finding after the original description.