Haplosclerida and Petrosida (Poifera : Demospongiae) from the New Caledonia lagoon

Abstract

Sixteen species of Haplosclerida and Petrosida are described from the reefs and lagoon of New Caledonia. Five species are new and two species are reported for the first time from New Caledonia. Nine previously described species were also found in this study and extra characters are reported, or additional locality and habitat records provided. The new species belong to the Haplosclerida : Chalinidae, three species; Niphatidae, one species; and Callyspongiidae, one species. New records of Xestospongia bergquistia and X. exigua (Petrosida : Petrosidae) are reported. Some of the species described have reduced spiculation; this reduction in amount of silica in the skeleton, and increased fibre development, may be related to water temperature. The proportion of endemic species within the Haplosclerida and Petrosida shallow water fauna is 48% and 75% in deep water. Non-endemic species have closest affinities to the Australian fauna.