Sponges associated with octocorals in the Indo-Pacific, with the description of four new species Author Calcinai, Barbara Author Bavestrello, Giorgio Author Bertolino, Marco Author Pica, Daniela Author Wagner, Daniel Author Cerrano, Carlo text Zootaxa 2013 3617 1 1 61 journal article 39041 10.11646/zootaxa.3617.1.1 6174b35e-3228-4d50-a6ed-844e244f8b64 1175-5326 248150 4DCCD152-65DA-44A3-AB19-59811384E1E7 Spirastrella cf. cunctatrix Schmidt, 1868 ( Fig. 4 A–G) Examined material. Sample HL 162: Vietnam , Hang Trai Island , Hang Du II Lake, 5 m , 26 April 2004 . Description. The sponge, about 1 mm thick, covers the basal stolons and the proximal portion of a colony of Carijoa riisei , as well as a bivalve shell ( 24 cm 2) where the octocoral colony is settled ( Fig. 4 A). The surface is smooth, slightly pink in ethanol, with evident subectosomal canals. Skeleton. Spirasters II are concentrated in the ectosome forming a thick superficial crust ( Fig. 4 B). Choanosome with scattered spirasters I and II; tylostyles are grouped in multispicular tracts with tyles towards the substrate ( Fig. 4 C) and tips protruding beyond the surface. Spicules. Straight tylostyles with hastate tips and generally rounded heads ( Fig. 4 D, G), 225 – (341.5 ± 66.9) – 450 x 5 – (8.5 ± 2.3) – 10 μm, with evident axial canal starting from the head. Spirasters in two categories: spirasters I large, with thick, slightly bent axis and conical large spines ( Fig. 4 E, G), 30.5 – (46.3 ± 6.9) – 60.5 x 5 – (7.5 ± 1.3) – 10 μm, numerous spicules have a straight and thin axis; spirasters II small, with spiralled axis or rabd-like with straight axis; numerous intermediate forms ( Fig. 4 F, G), 5 – (8.7 ± 1.4) – 12.5 μm. Distribution and remarks. The spicule shape of the Vietnamese sample and the skeletal organisation are very similar to S. cunctatrix Schmidt, 1868 as described and illustrated by Rützler (2002) (see Fig. 5 : 223). The holotype has tylostyles with oval or rounded heads, 480 x 8 μm in length on average; small spirasters of 10 – 25 x 5 – 23 μm and large spirasters of 28 – 50 x 23 – 35 μm ( Rützler, 2002 ) slightly larger than those of the Vietnamese specimen. Spirastrella cunctatrix was originally described from the Mediterranean Sea, and later recorded also in the Indo- Pacific area (Mergui-Burma Archipelagos ( Carter 1887 ), Hong Kong (van Soest 1982 ), Madagascar ( Vacelet & Vasseur 1971 ), the Red Sea ( Lévi 1965 ), and Vietnam ( Azzini et al. 2007 )) but its distribution has to be considered restricted to the Atlanto-Mediterranean area (van Soest et al. 2011 ). Further molecular studies could clarify its cryptogenic nature. The species was always described as a thin encrusting sponge, with the exception of the massive sponge record from the Red Sea ( Lévi 1965 ).