New records of demosponges (Porifera) from the South Orkney Islands (Antarctica) with a checklist for the region Author Schejter, Laura Author Cristobo, Javier Author Ríos, Pilar text Zootaxa 2024 2024-01-23 5403 4 401 430 http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5403.4.1 journal article 10.11646/zootaxa.5403.4.1 1175-5326 10562154 C2EAB19C-07CB-4013-9C93-D25259EA2673 Crella (Pytheas) crassa ( Hentschel, 1914 ) ( Fig. 5a–f ) Restricted synonymy: Grayella crassa Hentschel, 1914 , Pytheas crassa ( Hentschel, 1914 ) . Material examined: 5 small specimens collected in station 11 ( SOI ; 60°53'S , 42°35'W ; 487 m ; 10/3/2014 ; MACN-In 44363; IEO-CSIC Col.) . Description: Massive to elongate specimens, light beige. Surface areolated ( Figure 5a ). Ectosome is a dense layer of acanthostyles, supported by multispicular fibers in the choanosome ( Figure 5e, f ). Megascleres are strongyles 430–500µm by 10µm, and acanthostyles, some slightly curved, 100–180 µm by 5 µm. Microscleres are arcuate isochelae of 25 µm ( Figure 5 b–d ). Remarks: This species has been recorded from Antarctic waters by Henstchel (1914), Koltun (1964) and Göcke & Janussen (2013) , among others. This is a new record for the SOI.