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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 21(2)

Iotrochota revisited: a new sponge and review of species from the western tropical Atlantic (Poecilosclerida : Iotrochotidae)

Klaus Rützler A C , Manuel Maldonado B , Carla Piantoni A and Ana Riesgo B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Smithsonian Institution, Department of Invertebrate Zoology, MRC 163, Washington, DC 20013-7012, USA.

B Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Blanes (CSIC), Department of Aquatic Ecology, Acceso Cala St Francesc 14, Blanes 17300, Girona, Spain.

C Corresponding author. Email: ruetzler@si.edu

Invertebrate Systematics 21(2) 173-185 https://doi.org/10.1071/IS06040
Submitted: 27 September 2006  Accepted: 27 February 2007   Published: 21 May 2007

Abstract

The systematics of tropical and subtropical western Atlantic species of Iotrochota is re-examined in light of the discovery of an undescribed species. Iotrochota birotulata (Higgin), the type species, is found to have more characters than previously recognised and is redefined with emphasis on a skeleton of spongin fibres containing stout, curved styles and strongyles (category I) and an interstitial spiculation consisting mainly of longer, slender and straight styles (II). Iotrochota bistylata Boury-Esnault is confirmed as a synonym of the above. The new species, named I. arenosa, sp. nov., differs in external morphology, strong mucus development, incorporation of sand and interstitial spicules that are mainly long, straight strongyles. Iotrochota atra (Whitfield), thought to be a synonym of I. birotulata, is recognised as a separate species occurring exclusively in the Bahamas and is found to be a senior synonym of I. imminuta Pulitzer-Finali; it is morphologically very similar to I. birotulata, but lacks birotulae and has a strongly reduced skeleton of megascleres (mostly one category of delicate strongyles). Iotrochota agglomerata Lehnert & van Soest is recognised as the fourth distinct species for its unusual colour (orange), thinly encrusting habit and special spiculation (styles with tylostylote modifications).

Additional keywords: Caribbean coral reefs, distributional ecology, diversity, new species, Porifera, sympatric distribution, systematic revision.


Acknowledgements

We thank Eric Lazo-Wasem and Lourdes M. Rojas of Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History for making available R. P. Whitfield’s material of Iotrochota atra, including a fragment of the holotype. Some of the specimens we examined were provided by the USA Geological Survey’s Biological Resources Division, Minerals Management Service (contract no. 01ERGR0001). We appreciate critical comments contributed by two anonymous reviewers. This study was partially supported by a grant of the Caribbean Coral Reef Ecosystems Program of the Smithsonian Institution (contribution no. 761) and a MEC grant of the Spanish government.


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