Bulletin 20 - Peabody Museum of Natural History - Yale University

PEABODY MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 

YALE UNIVERSITY 

BULLETIN 20 

A Systematic Study of the Demospongiae 

of Port Royal, Jamaica 

BY 

GEORGE JOHN HECHTEL 

Department of Biology 

State University of New York 

Stony Brook, L. I., N. Y. 

NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT 

1965

Bulletins published by the Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale University 

embody research carried out under the auspices of the Museum. The issues are numbered 

consecutively as independent monographs and appear at irregular intervals. Shorter papers 

are published at frequent intervals in the Peabody Museum Postilla Series. 

EDITORIAL BOARD: Elwyn L. Simons, Chairman 

Charles L. Remington 

N. Philip Ashmole 

EDITOR: Ellen T. Drake 

Communications concerning purchase or exchange of publications should be addressed 

to the Editor, Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 

06520, U.S.A. 

Issued March 1, 1965

A SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF THE DEMOSPONGIAE 

OF PORT ROYAL, JAMAICA

Printed in the United States of America

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

ABSTRACT 

INTRODUCTION 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

METHODS 

HABITATS 

PREVIOUS JAMAICAN RECORDS 

CLASSIFICATION 

TAXONOMIC CRITERIA 

SYSTEMATICS 

FAMILY Spongiidae 

Dysideidae 

Aplysillidae 

Haliclonidae 

Desmacidonidae 

Adociidae 

Callyspongiidae 

Tedaniidae 

Microcionidae 

Mycalidae 

Halichondriidae 

Spirastrellidae 

Suberitidae 

Clionidae 

Placospongiidae 

Tethyidae 

Geodiidae 

Chondrillidae 

Plakinidae 

DISTRIBUTION BY HABITAT 

FIELD KEY 

ZOOGEOGRAPHICAL NOTES 

SUMMARY 

LITERATURE CITED 

INDEX 

PLATES I-VIII 

CONTENTS 

V 

vi 

1 

2 

2 

2 

3 

4 

4 

5 

5 

8 

14 

17 

18 

21 

26 

31 

37 

41 

45 

52 

54 

59 

60 

62 

65 

68 

74 

76 

77 

80 

83 

84 

85 

90 

95

ILLUSTRATIONS 

TEXT-FIGURES 

1. Spicules of Haliclona hogarthi, p. 20. 

2. Spicules of Adocia implexiformis, p. 27. 

3. Spicules of Adocia albifragilis, p. 28. 

4. Spicules of Pellina coeliformis, p. 29. 

5. Spicules of Sigmadocia caerulea, p. 30. 

6. Spicules of Callyspongia pallida, p. 36. 

7. Spicules of Microciona microchela, p. 41. 

8. Spicules of Microciona rarispinosa, p. 43. 

9. Spicules of Thalyseurypon conulosa, p. 44. 

10. Spicules of Ulosa hispida, p. 51. 

11. Spicules of Halichondria magniconulosa, p. 53. 

12. Spicules of Diplastrella megastellata, p. 58. 

13. Spicules of Geodia papyracea, p. 71. 

14. Spicules of Erylus ministrongylus, p. 73. 

15. Spicules of Corticium tetralophum, p. 77. 

PLATES 

I. 

II. 

III. 

IV. 

V. 

VI. 

VII. 

VIII. 

Fig. 1. 

Figs. 2,3. 

Fig. 4, 

Fig. 5 

Fig. 

Fig. 2 

Fig. 3, 

Fig. 4 

Fig. 1 

Figs. 2,3 

Fig. 4, 

Fig. 5 

Fig. 

Fig. 2 

Fig. 1 

Fig. 2, 

Fig. 3 

Fig. 4 

Fig. 

Fig. 2, 

Fig. 1 

Fig. 2 

Fig. 3 

Figs. 4,5. 

Figs. 1,2. 

Fig. 3. 

Verongia fistularis (Pallas). 

Haliclona erina de Laubenfels. 

Haliclona doria de Laubenfels. 

Oligoceras hemorrhages de Laubenfels. 

Haliclona hogarthi n. sp. 

Adocia implexiformis n. sp. 

Gelliodes areolata (Wilson). 

Desmapsamma anchorata (Carter). 

Pellina coeliformis n. sp. 

Adocia carbonaria (Lamarck). 

Sigmadocia caerulea n. sp. 

Callyspongia pallida n. sp. 

Callyspongia plicifera (Lamarck). 

Callyspongia fallax Duchassaing and Michelotti. 

Halichondria magniconulosa n. sp. 

Halichondria melanadocia de Laubenfels. 

Zygomycale parishii (Bowerbank). 

Tedania ignis (Duchassaing and Michelotti). 

Thalyseurypon conulosa n. sp. 

Mycale laevis (Carter). 

Placospongia carinata (Bowerbank). 

Diplastrella megastellata n. sp. 

Terpios zeteki (de Laubenfels). 

Anthosigmella varians (Duchassaing and Michelotti). 

Geodia papyracea n. sp. 

Erylus ministrongylus n. sp. 

VI

YALE UNIVERSITY PEABODY MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BULLETIN 

NO. 20, 104 p., 8 PLS., 15 TEXT-FIGS., 1965. 


OF PORT ROYAL, JAMAICA 

By GEORGE JOHN HECHTEL 

ABSTRACT 

A systematic study of the shallow water sponges of Port Royal has added 54 species to the 

Jamaican faunal list, of which 16 are new. One new genus, Neofibularia, is proposed for the 

preoccupied Fibularia Carter. The new species are Darwinella rosacea, Haliclona hogarthi, Adocia 

implexiformis, Adocia albifragilis, Pellina coeliformis, Sigmadocia caerulea, Callyspongia pallida, 

Halichondria magniconulosa, Microciona microchela, Microciona rarispinosa, Thalyseurypon 

conulosa, Ulosa hispida, Diplastrella megastellata, Geodia (Cydonium) papyracea, Erylus ministrongylus, 

and Corticium tetralophum. 

The use of field characteristics on the species level is discussed. The classification of de 

Laubenfels (1936a) is utilized, with several modifications. The Adociidae are transferred to the 

Haplosclerida, and Lundbeck's family Mycalidae is used in place of de Laubenfels' Amphilectidae. 

A review of the taxonomy and distribution of each species is presented. The zoogeographical 

affinities of the Jamaican sponge fauna are noted. 

1


OF PORT ROYAL, JAMAICA* 

GEORGE JOHN HECHTEL 

INTRODUCTION 

The West Indian sponge fauna has not been intensively studied. Detailed 

regional surveys were not begun until the twentieth century, when Wilson (1902a) 

described a collection of Puerto Rican sponges. Arndt (1927) has studied the 

fauna of Curacao. In a series of papers (1936a, 1936b, 1949, 1950a, 1953a) de 

Laubenfels discussed the shallow water sponges of localities on the periphery of 

the West Indies (the Dry Tortugas, in the Florida Keys; Panama; Bimini in the 

Bahamas; Bermuda; and the west coast of Florida, respectively.) The fauna of the 

Antilles is still poorly known. 

Jamaica was chosen for study as one of the Greater Antilles. The University 

College of the West Indies maintains a marine station on the Jamaican south 

coast. The present report is a systematic study of the Demospongiae growing in 

less than twenty feet of water near the station. 

This study was submitted in 1962 to the Faculty of the Graduate School of 

Yale University as a dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

I wish to express my sincere appreciation to Dr. Willard D. Hartman, who 

introduced me to the study of sponges. His encouragement, advice and criticisms 

have been invaluable. An initial trip to Jamaica in the summer of 1959 was 

made possible by the Department of Zoology and the Peabody Museum of Yale 

University. Extensive field work was made possible by an assistantship at the 

University College of the West Indies during the academic year 1959-60 and 

1960-61. Professor David M. Steven of the Zoology Department at the University 

College of the West Indies generously provided laboratory facilities at the University 

and its marine station. Dr. Ivan Goodbody and Dr. Thomas Goreau, 

also of the University, contributed valuable specimens. Mr. John Howard and 

Dr. Patricia R. Bergquist at the Peabody Museum of Yale University gave invaluable 

aid in the preparation of the plates. Finally, I am deeply grateful to 

my wife, Florence M. Hechtel, for her aid and encouragement. 

METHODS 

Most specimens were collected by hand, after wading or diving with snorkel 

and face mask. Several specimens were collected in deeper water by Dr. T. F. 

Goreau, using an aqua-lung. Field characteristics, such as color, consistency and 

oscular size, were noted at the time of collection. The specimens were preserved 

in two changes of 75 per cent alcohol. 

Spicule preparations were obtained by boiling small samples in concentrated 

nitric acid, within a small Erlenmeyer flask. The acid was removed by a process 

* Published with the aid of a National Science Foundation Publication Grant, No. GN257. 

2

INTRODUCTION 3 

of washing, centrifuging, and decanting. Water and then alcohol were used in 

washing. The spicules were then suspended in alcohol and poured onto slides 

for drying and mounting. 

Dermal structure was studied from thin strips of the surface, removed by a 

razor blade or forceps. Internal morphology was examined in hand sections cut 

from paraffin-embedded pieces of the specimens. Sections were taken tangentially 

and at right angles to the surface. Longitudinal sections were made of elongate 

specimens. Most preparations were stained with Poinceau red or light green. 

Spicules are conspicuous in such sections, and spongin becomes somewhat more 

deeply stained than the surrounding flesh. 

HABITATS 

Port Royal is a fishing village at the tip of the Palisadoes Peninsula. The latter 

forms the southern shore of Kingston Harbor. The northern edge of the peninsula 

is fringed by mangrove swamps which begin about one mile northeast of 

the marine station. A chain of reefs and islands (the Kingston Cays) lies offshore 

from Port Royal. The geography of the area is detailed in British Admiralty 

maps 454 and 456. A variety of habitats could easily be reached by small boat. 

The principal collecting areas were: 

Habitat A—Port Royal Docks: Sponges were a conspicuous element of the 

dock and seawall community. The water was 8-10 feet deep at the base of the 

seawall. Many specimens were collected from the dock of the old university 

marine station, located just beyond the northeastern wall of Port Royal. A second 

collecting point was a seawall near the tide guage of the Port Royal police 

post on Port Royal Point. 

Habitat B—Port Royal Harbor: Specimens were collected in 15-20 feet of 

water, just offshore from Port Royal, by Dr. T. F. Goreau using an aqua-lung. 

They were growing on coral masses. 

Habitat C—Rasta's wreck: A shallow, mangrove-fringed inlet opens into Port 

Royal harbor between the naval yard and Gallow's Point. The inlet is located at 

17° 56'30" N. Lat., 76° 50' W. Long. A wooden hulk, known locally as Rasta's 

wreck, was submerged in 4-8 feet of water at the eastern end of the inlet. Sponges 

covered much of its surface. 

Habitat D—Port Royal turtle grass bed: Turtle grass grew over much of the 

muddy bottom of the inlet near Rasta's wreck. The water was 3-6 feet in depth. 

A few species were growing on or among the turtle grass. 

Habitat E—Mangroves bordering inlet: The well-illuminated water was 1-2 

feet deep. Many mangrove roots were covered with sponges. 

Habitat F—Main boat channel: A rowboat channel, averaging 10 feet in 

width and 2-3 feet in depth, running from the northeastern corner of the inlet toward 

Kingston harbor. It was shaded by the tops of mangroves and had a steady 

current. Sponges were abundant on mangrove roots along the channel. 

Habitat G—Pigeon House Pile: Several species were dredged from a mussel 

bank near Pigeon House Pile, in Kingston harbor, at 17° 57'30" N. Lat., 76° 

49'30" W. Long. The sponges were growing in 10-15 feet of water. 

Habitat H—Shallow water at the cays: Sponges were collected under rocks 

and ledges in 1-6 feet of water. Study was concentrated on Drunkenman's Cay, 

and to a lesser extent, Maiden Cay. Drunkenman's Cay is located at 17° 54' N. 

Lat., 76° 30'36" W. Long. Maiden Cay is at 17° 54'30" N. Lat., 76° 48W W. 

Long.

4 A SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF THE DEMOSPONGIAE OF JAMAICA 

Habitat I—Deeper water near the cays: Sponges were common on coral masses 

and gorgonian colonies in 10-15 feet of water. Most specimens were collected in 

an area between Lime Cay (17° 55' N. Lat., 76° 49' W. Long) and Maiden Cay. 

Habitat J—Offshore turtle grass beds: Several areas of sand and turtle grass 

were located near Port Royal. Study was concentrated on a small patch in several 

feet of water on the leeward side of Drunkenman's Cay. 

PREVIOUS JAMAICAN RECORDS 

Twelve published reports of Jamaican sponges, referring to ten species, have 

been noted in the course of the present study. The earliest record is that of 

Higgin (1877). His Halichondria birotulata (transferred to Iotrochota by Ridley, 

1884) was described from Venezuela, the Bahamas, and Kingston Bay, Jamaica. 

De Laubenfels (1932a, p. 40) examined Jamaican specimens (those of Higgin?) in 

the British Museum (Natural History) collections. The species is abundant at 

Port Royal. 

Suberites angulospiculatus was described from Jamaica by Carter (1879a, p. 

346). Its peculiar spicules are somewhat similar in form to those of Plakortis, but 

are much larger. De Laubenfels (1936a, p. 162) attributed Dry Tortugas specimens 

to Carter's species, which he transferred to Epipolasis. De Laubenfels' 

sponges, with oxeas and strongyloxeas, are not even congeneric with Suberites 

angulospiculatus. Carter's species was not found in the present study, and its 

taxonomic position remains obscure. 

Suberites coronarius Carter (1882, p. 352) was described from Honduras, the 

Bahamas, and Jamaica. The species was transferred to Anthosigmella by Topsent 

(1918, p. 557) and placed into synonymy with A. varians by de Laubenfels (1936a, 

p. 13). Several specimens were collected in the present study. 

Spinosella maxima Dendy (1887d, p. 506; 1890, p. 365) was described from 

Nassau in the Bahamas. A Jamaican variety was characterized by the presence 

of vestigial spicules. Dendy's species, with its variety, is almost certainly conspecific 

with Callyspongia plicvfera, which is common near the Kingston Cays. 

Lendenfeld included three Jamaican records in his 1889 monograph of the 

Keratosa. The specimen attributed to Hircinia variabilis Schmidt was probably 

an example of Ircinia fasciculata. His record of Aplysina flagelliformis Carter 

(1886) probably refers to Verongia longissima. Both species occur at Port Royal. 

His Aplysina spengelii, reported from Jamaica and Ceylon, is probably a synonym 

of Verongia lacunosa, as suggested by Topsent (1932). It was not found at Port 

Royal. 

Spirastrella andrewsii George and Wilson (1919, p. 135) was described from 

North Carolina and Jamaica. De Laubenfels (1932b, p. 50) has shown that the 

species is conspecific with Spheciospongia vesparia. A specimen was collected in 

the present survey. 

Uliczka (1929, p. 38) described Cinachyra rhizophyta from Kingston, Jamaica. 

No further specimens have been found. 

Geodia media Bowerbank was reported by Uliczka (1929, p. 38) from Barbados, 

Tortugas, and Kingston. G. media is a probable synonym of the common 

Geodia gibberosa. 

CLASSIFICATION 

The classification of de Laubenfels (1936a) has been adopted in large part. 

It requires considerable revision but remains the most complete and widely-used 

system. Several alterations do seem necessary, however. The keratose sponges

SYSTEMATICS 5 

are divided into the suborders Dictyoceratina and Dendroceratina of Minchin 

(1900). The Adociidae are transferred to the order Haplosclerida, as discussed in 

the systematic section. The family Mycalidae Lundbeck (1905) is used in place 

of the similarly defined family Amphilectidae of de Laubenfels. The order 

Homosclerophorida, reconstituted by Levi (1953, 1956b), has been utilized in 

preference to de Laubenfels* treatment. 

TAXONOMIC CRITERIA 

In de Laubenfels* classification, genera are usually based on spicule complement 

or fiber composition. Species are characterized by their shape, color, consistency, 

spicule size ranges and details of architecture. 

Burton (1932, p. 377) has questioned the taxonomic value of microscleres, 

even on a species level. In the present study only two species were found to vary 

in spicule complement. The first, Sigmadocia caerulea, is a new species established 

for blue, sigma-rich, inshore sponges. Blue, algae-infested cay sponges with 

extremely rare sigmas are only provisionally considered to be conspecific with it. 

Gelliodes areolata provides a case of variation in the presence of microscleres between 

specimens which are certainly conspecific. It seems probable that most 

sponge species have a stable spicule complement. Spicule size ranges, considered 

as variable by Burton, have been relatively consistent within a species in my experience. 

The field characteristics of color and consistency have been invaluable in the 

recognition of species. The color is unfortunately lost from almost all species 

after preservation. The consistency of preserved sponges is usually not unlike 

that of the living ones. The uniformity of coloration in a large majority of species 

is very striking. The observed specimens of common species such as Haliclona 

rub ens, Iotrochota birotulata and Tedania ignis did not differ appreciably in 

color. The intensity of coloration does vary in many species. Algae occasionally 

impart a greenish tinge to a sponge. Terpios zeteki does exhibit a wide range of 

colors, however, but can be recognized by its characteristic shape and consistency. 

Levi (1952, p. 37) has also emphasized the taxonomic value of color in tropical 

sponges. 

Sponges have often been described as extremely plastic in form, (cf., for example, 

Bowerbank, 1866, p. 212). Burton (1932, p. 376) and Wells et al. (1960, 

p. 202) have noted that most species do have a characteristic shape or range of 

shapes. The shape can, however, be described only in general terms, such as 

incrusting, massive and ramose. An occasional sponge may depart from the 

normal. A single massive example of the usually ramose Iotrochota birotulata 

and a single semi-ramose example of the incrusting Microciona microchela were 

found. 

SYSTEMATICA 

A nomenclatorial summary is included with the description of each previously 

described species. The localities of collection are included within the summaries. 

The zoogeographical range of each species is presented under the heading of 

distribution, using the terminology of Ekman (1953). The term spicule category 

refers to spicules having the same morphological form, such as sigmas. In spicule 

analyses, the number of measured spicules is indicated in parentheses after the 

range. The spicule ranges of holotypes are starred (*). 

Fifty-four species are discussed in the present report. One species cannot be 

completely classified at this time. Of the remaining 53, 16 are new. One new


genus is established. The known Jamaican sponge fauna now consists of 57 

species, including three (Verongia lacunosa, Suberites angulospiculatus, and 

Cinachyra rhizophyta) not found in the present study. The collection is deposited 

in the Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University (YPM), New 

Haven, Connecticut. In the text, the United States National Museum is abbreviated 

as USNM. 

The fauna of Port Royal is summarized in the following outline: 

CLASS DEMOSPONGIAE 

ORDER KERATOSA 

SUBORDER Dictyoceratina 

FAMILY SPONGIIDAE 

Ircinia fasciculata (Pallas), p. 8 

Ircinia strobilina (Lamarck), p. 10 

Oligoceras hemorrhages de Laubenfels, p. 11 

Verongia fistularis (Pallas), p. 12 

Verongia longissima (Carter), p. 13 

FAMILY DYSIDEIDAE 

Dysidea fragilis (Montagu), p. 14 

lanthella ardis de Laubenfels, p. 16 

SUBORDER Dendroceratina 

FAMILY APLYSILLIDAE 

Darwinella rosacea n. sp., p. 17 

ORDER HAPLOSCLERIDA 

FAMILY HALICLONIDAE 

Haliclona doria de Laubenfels, p. 18 

Haliclona rub ens (Pallas), p. 18 

Haliclona erina de Laubenfels, p. 19 

Haliclona hogarthi n. sp., p. 20 

FAMILY DESMACIDONIDAE 

Desmapsamma anchorata (Carter), p. 21 

Neofibularia n. gen., p. 22 

Neofibularia massa (Carter), p. 23 

Iotrochota birotulata (Higgin), p. 24 

Gelliodes areolata (Wilson), p. 25 

FAMILY ADOCIIDAE 

Adocia carbonaria (Lamarck), p. 26 

Adocia implexiformis n. sp., p. 27 

Adocia albifragilis n. sp., p. 28 

Pellina coeliformis n. sp., p. 29 

Sigmadocia caerulea n. sp., p. 30 

FAMILY CALLYSPONGIIDAE 

Callyspongia fallax Duchassaing and Michelotti, p. 31 

Callyspongia vaginalis (Lamarck), p. 32 

Callyspongia plicifera (Lamarck), p. 34 

Callyspongia pallida n. sp., p. 36

ORDER POECILOSCLERIDA 

FAMILY TEDANIIDAE 

Tedania ignis (Duchassaing and Michelotti), p. 37 

Lissodendoryx isodictyalis (Carter), p. 38 

Acanthacarnus souriei LeVi, p. 40 

FAMILY MICROCIONIDAE 

Microciona microchela n. sp., p. 41 

Microciona rarispinosa n. sp., p. 42 

Thalyseurypon conulosa n. sp., p. 44 

FAMILY MYCALIDAE 

Mycale laevis (Carter), p. 46 

Mycale microsigmatosa Arndt, p. 47 

Zygomycale parishii (Bowerbank), p. 48 

Ulosa hispida n. sp., p. 51 

ORDER HALICHONDRIDA 

FAMILY HALICHONDRIIDAE 

Halichondria melanadocia de Laubenfels, p. 52 

Halichondria magniconulosa n. sp., p. 53 

ORDER HADROMERIDA 

SYSTEMATICS 7 

FAMILY SPIRASTRELLIDAE 

Spirastrella coccinea (Duchassaing and Michelotti), p. 54 

Anthosigmella varians (Duchassaing and Michelotti), p. 55 

Spheciospongia vesparia (Lamarck), p. 57 

Diplastrella megastellata n. sp., p. 58 

FAMILY SUBERITIDAE 

Terpios zeteki de Laubenfels, p. 59 

FAMILY CLIONIDAE 

Cliona vermifera Hancock, p. 60 

Cliona viridis (Schmidt), p. 61 

FAMILY PLACOSPONGIIDAE 

Placospongia carinata (Bowerbank), p. 62 

ORDER EPIPOLASIDA 

FAMILY TETHYIDAE 

Tethya seychellensis (Wright), p. 65 

Tethya actinia de Laubenfels, p. 66 

Tethya sp., cf. maza Selenka, p. 67 

ORDER CHORISTIDA 

FAMILY GEODIIDAE 

Geodia (Geodia) gibberosa (Lamarck), p. 68 

Geodia (Cydonium) papyracea n. sp., p. 71 

Erylus ministrongylus n. sp., p. 72 

FAMILY CHONDRILLIDAE 

Chondrilla nucula Schmidt, p. 74


ORDER HOMOSCLEROPHORIDA 

FAMILY PLAKINIDAE 

Plakortis zyggompha (de Laubenfels), p. 76 

Corticium tetralophum n. sp., p. 77 

CLASS DEMOSPONGIAE Sollas, 1888 

ORDER KERATOSA Grant, 1861 

SUBORDER Dictyoceratina Minchin, 1900 

FAMILY SPONGIIDAE Gray, 1867, 

sensu de Laubenfels, 1948 

GENUS IRC INI A Nardo 

Ircinia fasciculata (Pallas) de Laubenfels 

Spongia fasciculata Pallas, 1766, p. 381 [neotype: Dry Tortugas, Florida (not from type 

locality); USNM no. 22503]; Lamarck, 1813, p. 372. 

[non] Spongia fasciculata Esper, 1794, p. 253 (fide Topsent, 1930.) 

Hircinia fasciculata, Schmidt, 1862, p. 34; Lendenfeld, 1889, p. 587; Topsent, 1920b, p. 

320; idem, 1930, p. 16. 

Ircinia fasciculata, de Laubenfels, 1948, p. 66; idem, 1949, p. 5; idem, 1950a, p. 9; idem, 

1953a, p. 514; idem, 1956, p. 2; Hartman, 1955, p. 165; Wells et al., 1960, p. 206; 

Little, 1963, p. 34. 

[non] Hircinia fasciculata, Row, 1911, p. 373. 

Hircinia variabilis, Lendenfeld (not Schmidt, 1862), 1889, p. 557 [partim]; Wilson, 1902a, 

p. 405; de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 19; idem, 1936b, p. 457; idem, 1947, p. 35. 

[non] Ircinia variabilis, de Laubenfels, 1950a, p. 14. 

Hircinia ectofibrosa George and Wilson, 1919, p. 166 (fide de Laubenfels, 1948.) 

HABITAT. Common on pilings at Port Royal and on rocks near the cays. 

SHAPE. Lobate or branching. Many specimens consist of a cluster of laterally fused 

cylindrical lobes. The sponges are often fist-sized, but may reach 15 cm in height. Branches 

and projections are typically several cm in diameter. Their distal ends are somewhat 

rounded in outline. 

COLOR. In life, the upper surfaces may be yellowish-brown, reddish-brown, or reddishpurple. 

The interior and basal parts of the sponge are drab to cream. The oscules are 

dark brown to black. Preserved specimens retain some pigment, particularly around the 

oscular rims. The upper surfaces become olive green to gray in alcohol. 

CONSISTENCY. Tough, slightly compressible, difficult to cut or tear. 

ODOR. Fetid. 

SURFACE. Finely conulose. The conules on the side and upper surfaces are 0.5 to 3, 

often 1 to 2 mm, in height, and 1 to 2, or occasionally 3 mm, apart. They are less 

numerous near the base of the sponge. Many conules are connected to adjacent ones 

by ridges. A network of lines, visible to the unaided eye, radiates outward from the 

conules. 

The dark-rimmed oscules are scattered apically, sometimes in ill-defined groups. In life, 

they are several millimeters to nearly a centimeter in diameter. Most of them are closed 

in preserved specimens, with their positions indicated by darkened areas. The oscules of 

one branching specimen are located terminally on thin processes which are about 5-6 mm 

in height and a few millimeters in diameter. 

ECTOSOME. The ectosome is a tough skin difficult to detach from the underlying flesh. 

A few openings, perhaps ostia, 80-100 /x in diameter, were found in surface strips. The 

surface contains foreign material, knobbed filaments, and spotted, knobbed filaments. 

Some of the debris is condensed into a network of loose tracts. The tracts are 30-150 fi

SYSTEMATICS 9 

in diameter; the meshes about 150 p. in width. Filaments and spotted filaments may be 

grouped into dense bands. The branching specimen with projecting oscules has a very 

course and irregular dermal network of spongin fibers which are 20-60 p in diameter. 

George and Wilson (1919) have reported dermal fibers in their North Carolina specimens. 

ENDOSOME. The skeleton is a coarse fibroreticulation. The primary fibers are 20-75 JM 

in diameter and contain an abundance of foreign material. No fibrillar pith is present. 

The primary fibers are grouped into loose or condensed fascicles. The fascicles ascend to 

the conules at intervals of 0.5-1 mm. The connective fibers are similar in size to those 

of the fascicles. They contain less debris than the primaries, and indeed are often composed 

entirely of spongin. Often simple in mid-length, they divide into a root-like network 

of narrow fibers near the fascicles. The roots may join a fascicle or run parallel to 

it. In many cases, the debris-filled primaries form an axial tract within a column of clear 

secondary fibers. Such compound fascicles have been noted in Hircinia ectofibrosa George 

and Wilson, here considered as a synonym of Ircinia fasciculata. Adjacent connectives 

may be nearly a millimeter apart. 

The flesh contains some scattered debris and an abundance of filaments. The latter 

have a strand diameter of 3-5 p. They terminate in spherical knobs, 7-10 fi in diameter. 

Many strands have a similar form but a slightly larger diameter. They also differ from 

typical Ircinia filaments through the presence of small refractile bodies on the strands 

and terminal swellings. George and Wilson (1919, p. 167) noted the presence of such 

"spotted fibers" in Hircinia ectofibrosa. Many strands are only partially spotted, thus 

providing a clear link between the spotted and typical filaments. Spotted filaments are 

also present in Jamaican specimens of Ircinia strobilina. De Laubenfels (1954a, p. 22) 

has suggested that the spotted filaments are algae which become digested and modified 

by the sponge. 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: North Carolina—George and Wilson, 1919, 

p. 166 (as Hircinia ectofibrosa); de Laubenfels, 1947, p. 35 (as Hircinia variabilis)', Wells 

et al., 1960, p. 206. Florida—Hartman, 1955, p. 165. Dry Tortugas, Florida—de Laubenfels, 

1936a, p. 19 (as Hircinia variabilis). West coast, Florida—de Laubenfels, 1953a, p. 

514; Little, 1963, p. 34. Atlantic coast: Panama—de Laubenfels, 1936b, p. 457 (as Hircinia 

variabilis). Brazil—de Laubenfels, 1956, p. 2. Bermuda—de Laubenfels, 1950a, p. 9; 

Hartman, 1955, p. 165. Bahamas—de Laubenfels, 1949, p. 5; Hartman, 1955, p. 165. 

Jamaica—Lendenfeld, 1889, p. 557, partim (as Hircinia variabilis). Puerto Rico—Wilson, 

1902a, p. 405 (as Hircinia variabilis). 

Mediterranean—-Pallas, 1766, p. 381 (as Spongia fasciculata); Lamarck, 1813, p. 372 

(as Spongia fasciculata) (?); Adriatic—Schmidt, 1862, p. 34 (as Hircinia fasciculata) (?). 

DISCUSSION. The branched specimen with oscular projections and surface spongin 

fibers is provisionally considered to be conspecific with the other specimens. Its large, 

dark-rimmed oscules are of the usual Ircinia fasciculata type. The specimen resembles 

others in conule pattern, surface reticulation and internal architecture. 

The Jamaican specimens are considered to be conspecific with the fine-grained West 

Indian sponges attributed to Ircinia fasciculata by de Laubenfels. A few Jamaican specimens 

have the elongate, blunt-tipped form of /. ramosa (Keller). They differ from 

Keller's species in having large, dark-rimmed, fasciculata-type oscules. In addition, bundles 

of thick filaments and tracts of foreign material are present in the ectosome. Hartman 

(1955) found such a pattern in specimens of /. fasciculata but not in /. ramosa. 

Ircinia fasciculata was originally described by Pallas for Mediterranean specimens 

which have apparently been lost. The Mediterranean specimens of Esper and Lamarck 

have been restudied by Topsent (1920b, 1930). Topsent (1930) concluded that the two 

sponges were not conspecific. Lamarck's specimens, with thick filaments and debriscontaining 

fibers, is certainly similar in skeletal structure to the West Indian species. 

Schmidt (1862) used the name fasciculata for an unrecognizable, macerated, Adriatic 

sponge. Row's Red Sea sponge, with widely scattered conules, is certainly not conspecific 

with the West Indian species. The relationship of the common fine-grained West Indian 

Ircinia to similar sponges in other parts of the world remains obscure. Many specimens 

of Ircinia with low conules have been recorded as Ircinia variabilis (Schmidt), which was


considered to be a circumtropical species. Lendenfeld's Jamaican specimen is very probably 

an Ircinia fasciculata. De Laubenfels (1948, 1950a) concluded that most records of 

/. variabilis Schmidt were not conspecific with the common West Indian fine-grained 

Ircinia. He ignored the extant Mediterranean specimens of Esper and Lamarck and 

unwisely chose an Ircinia from the Dry Tortugas, Florida, as the neotype of /. fasciculata 

(Pallas). He also listed an extensive synonymy for the species. It is by no means certain 

that the West Indian species under consideration has a wider distribution. De Laubenfels' 

synonymy certainly requires verification in every case. Vacelet (1959) has already conserved 

/. oros and /. dendroides Schmidt as distinct species. 

Levi (1952, 1959, 1960), Vacelet (1959, 1961) Sara and Siribelli (1960) and Sara (1958b, 

1960a, 1961a, 1961b) have used /. fasciculata for Mediterranean and West African sponges 

which formerly would have been called /. variabilis. The specimens of Vacelet (1959) and 

Sara (1961a) may be conspecific with the West Indian species. LeVi's Gulf of Guinea 

sponge, however, differs from the West Indian in conule pattern and color. 

Ircinia strobilina (Lamarck) de Laubenfels 

Spongia strobilina Lamarck, 1816, p. 383 [type: locality uncertain; Mus. nat. Hist. nat. 

Paris]; idem, 1836, p. 573. 

Hircinia strobilina, de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 18. 

Ircinia strobilina, de Laubenfels, 1948, p. 71; idem, 1948, p. 71; idem, 1949, p. 6; idem, 

1950a, p. 14; idem, 1953a, p. 514; Sara, 1958a, p. 240 (?); Little, 1963, p. 35. 

[non] Ircinia strobilina irregularis, de Laubenfels, 1954a, p. 21. 

Spongia linteiformis var. ft Lamarck, 1813, p. 457 (fide Topsent, 1933a.) 

Hircinia gigantea, Topsent (not Lendenfeld, 1889), 1933a, p. 15. 

HABITAT. Common on pilings at Port Royal and on corals offshore from the cays. 

SHAPE. Massive, often lobate or cake-shaped. Many specimens attain a height of 8-10 

cm, and a maximum diameter of 4-6 cm. Sponges as large as 2 or 3 feet in diameter were 

seen in the field. 

COLOR. The upper and lateral surfaces are gray to black in life and when preserved 

in alcohol. The basal surfaces and the interior are a dull yellowish-orange. The oscular 

rims are always dark gray or black. 

CONSISTENCY. Tough, compressible. 

ODOR. Unpleasant, strong. 

SURFACE. Coarsely conulose. The thick, blunt, often bifid conules are mostly 3-7 mm 

high, and 3-8 mm apart. Many of them are joined by high connecting ridges. The conules 

become lower and less frequent near the base. Fine tracts, visible to the unaided eye, 

radiate outward from the conules. They are joined by fine connective tracts. The oscules 

are 2-3 mm, occasionally 5 mm, in diameter. They occur in groups on the apices of the 

lobes. 

ECTOSOME. A tough detachable skin contains an abundance of filaments, spicule fragments 

and sand. Much of the debris is condensed into spongin-free tracts which are 50- 

150 fi in diameter. They form the above-mentioned network, with meshes frequently 

150-200 /M in width. A few dermal pores, 70-150 p in diameter, were noted in the interstices. 

ENDOSOME. Numerous macroscopic canals traverse the interior. The skeleton consists 

of ascending fascicular columns of spongin fibers. The individual fibers, 30-250 /x in 

diameter, are heavily charged with foreign material. Short intervals of debris-free spongin 

occur sporadically in the skeleton. In one specimen considerable lengths of fiber have 

little or no foreign matter. The spongin in such intervals often appears laminated. The 

fibers never have the fibrillar pith characteristic of the subgenus Sarcotragus as redefined 

by Vacelet (1959). Adjacent fascicles may be more than a millimeter apart. Connective 

fibers are rarely present. The flesh contains scattered debris and, occasionally, large 

clumps of foreign material. It is permeated by a thick feltwork of Ircinia filaments which 

may even form thick bands. The filament strands are 3-5 /x, occasionally 7 /x, in diameter. 

The terminal knobs are 7-10 /x in diameter. In addition to typical filaments, the skin

SYSTEMATICS 11 

and interior contain slightly thicker knobbed filaments over which small refractile bodies 

are sparsely to thickly scattered. 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: Dry Tortugas, Florida—de Laubenfels, 

1936a, p. 18 (as Hircinia strobilina). West coast, Florida—de Laubenfels, 1953a, p. 514; 

Little, 1963, p. 35. Bermuda—de Laubenfels, 1950a, p. 14. Bahamas—de Laubenfels, 

1949, p. 6. Mediterranean: Ligurean Sea—Sara, 1958a, p. 240 (?). 

DISCUSSION. The Jamaican specimens are similar in appearance to Ircinia strobilina 

as described by de Laubenfels and photographed by Topsent. Foreign material has been 

recorded for fibers of I. strobilina by de Laubenfels (1950a). Topsent did not mention 

foreign matter in his redescription of the type. He considered Lamarck's sponge to be 

conspecific with Hircinia gigantea (Lendenfeld), which lacks foreign material. The Jamaican 

specimens are certainly conspecific with those of de Laubenfels who also studied the 

type. It should be noted that the type locality is unknown. Lamarck listed it as doubtfully 

Mediterranean. Sara (1958a) has reported the species from the Mediterranean, but he 

may be referring to Ircinia muscarum (Schmidt). (Cf. Vacelet 1959). 

De Laubenfels (1948) considered a number of Indo-Pacific species to be conspecific 

with 7. strobilina. New field studies and examination of the types will be needed to 

establish the synonymies. The Palau Islands specimen recorded as Ircinia strobilina, subspecies 

irregularis (Polejaeff) by de Laubenfels (1954a) differs from typical West Indian 

specimens by its brick red endosome and small conules. 

Genus OLIGOCERAS Schulze 

Oligoceras hemorrhages de Laubenfels 

(Plate I, fig. 5) 

Oligoceras hemorrhages de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 16 [type: Dry Tortugas, Florida; 

USNM No. 22484]; idem, 1949, p. 6; idem, 1953b, p. 16; Hartman, 1955, p. 162. 

Oligoceras collectrix hemorrhages, de Laubenfels, 1948, p. 57. 

HABITAT. Common in the turtle grass area near Drunkenman's Cay. One specimen 

was dredged from the Pigeon House mussel bank. 

SHAPE. Small, lobate, spreading masses, usually less than two cm in height. 

COLOR. The exterior is basically brown, with red, green or purple tinges in some 

specimens. The interior is drab. In alcohol, the exterior becomes brown, drab, or olive 

green. The sponge emits a vivid red exudate when handled some time after collection. 

De Laubenfels has stated that death must occur before the sponge emits the pigment, 

(1949, 1953b). The red pigment quickly leaches out in alcohol. 

CONSISTENCY. Spongy, compressible. 

SURFACE. The surface is covered with fine conules which are less than a millimeter 

in height, and only 0.5-3 mm apart. The scattered oscules are 2-4 mm in diameter. 

ECTOSOME. Little dermal specialization. The thin skin contains a small to considerable 

quantity of debris. The ostia are 30-40 ^ in diameter. Both the ectosome and the endosome 

are heavily penetrated by blue-green filamentous algae, 5 p in diameter. 

ENDOSOME. The skeleton is a very irregular network of spongin-cemented masses of 

debris. A specimen with much spicular debris has occasional debris-cored spongin fibers 

30-70 fj, in diameter. Such fibers are rarely found in sand-rich specimens. The latter 

contain clumps of coarse sand which may be as much as 700 JU, in diameter. Ascending 

skeletal columns typically terminate in the conules. Connecting fibers, where evident, 

contain foreign material. The flagellated chambers are 30-40 ju, in diameter. 


1936a, p. 16. Yucatan—Hartman, 1955, p. 162. Bahamas—de Laubenfels, 1949, p. 6. 

DISCUSSION. De Laubenfels (1948) somewhat doubtfully reduced Oligoceras hemorrhages 

to a subspecies of Oligoceras collectrix Schulze (1879). Schulze's Adriatic sponge, 

however, was black and had sparsely distributed conules. No exudate was reported. The 

skeleton had an antler-like (hirschgeweihahnlich) mode of branching. The differences 

warrant the retention of the West Indian sponge as a distinct species. 

Wilson's (1902a) Cacospongia spongeliformis of Puerto Rico was transferred to Oligo-


ceras by de Laubenfels (1948). It differs from O. hemorrhages in having an elongate, 

cylindrical shape. It also has less debris, particularly in the secondary fibers. 

Genus VERONGIA Bowerbank 

Verongia fistularis (Pallas) Bowerbank 


Spongia fistularis Pallas, 1766, p. 385 [type: American seas; repository unknown]; Esper, 

1794, p. 228; Lamarck, 1813, p. 435. 

Fistularia fistularis, Bowerbank, 1841c, p. 32; idem, 1844a, p. 37. (Genus preoccupied, 

fide Bowerbank, 1845.) 

Verongia fistularis, Bowerbank, 1845, p. 403; idem, 1864, p. 209; Hyatt, 1875, p. 402; 

Polejaeff, 1884a, p. 70; de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 21; idem, 1948, p. 82; idem, 1949, p. 6; 

idem, 1950a, p. 17; idem, 1953a, p. 515; idem, 1956, p. 2. 

Luff aria fistularis, Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 60. 

Aplysina fistularis, Lendenfeld, 1889, p. 422; Verrill, 1907, p. 332; Topsent, 1932, p. 71, 72. 

Spongia tubaeformis Lamarck, 1813, p. 435 (fide Topsent, 1932.) 

Verongia tenuissima Hyatt, 1875, p. 403 (fide de Laubenfels, 1948); Polejaeff, 1884a, p. 71. 

Verongia hirsuta var. fistularoides Hyatt, 1875, p. 403 (fide de Laubenfels, 1948.) 

Aplysina hirsuta, Wilson, 1902a, p. 409. 

HABITAT. Most of the observed specimens were growing on coral heads in 10-15 feet 

of water near the cays. A few specimens were found on pilings at Port Royal. 

SHAPE. Thick-walled, nearly cylindrical tubes of rather uniform diameter. Colonies of 

several basally-united tubes occur. Many specimens are 10-30 cm in height. The walls 

may be considerably more than a centimeter in thickness, particularly near the base of 

the sponge. 

COLOR. The living sponge is a bright yellow and sometimes has mustard or greenish 

tinges. When removed from the water the sponge soon becomes reddish and then progressively 

darker in color. It eventually becomes a very dark brown or black. 

CONSISTENCY. Toughly spongy in life, becoming stiff after death. 

SURFACE. The outer surface is finely conulose. The conules are usually under a millimeter 

in height and several millimeters apart. Many of the conules are connected to 

adjacent ones by low ridges. The resultant interconular depressions are shallow and 

inconspicuous in life and when preserved in alcohol. Dried specimens come to have a 

honeycombed surface with prominent saucer-shaped depressions. 

The wide-mouthed cloacal openings are typically several centimeters in diameter. 

Immediately inside the rim is a very narrow, membranous ridge. The lining of the cloacal 

cavity ranges from smooth to wrinkled, or even finely conulose. The cavity narrows 

toward the base of the sponge. A few small openings, 1 mm in diameter or less, occur 

on the cloacal and also the outer surface. 

ECTOSOME. A densely pigmented skin covers both the outer and cloacal surfaces of the 

sponge. No microscopic openings could be found in strips of the cloacal surface. The 

outer surface is pierced by numerous, scattered dermal pores. Typical ostial sizes are 

72 X 48, 87 X 58 and 101 x 72 /x. 

ENDOSOME. The skeleton is a coarse, irregular network of fibers, 70-175 JX in diameter. 

The fibers are amber, pithed and stratified. The pith typically occupies slightly more 

than I/3 of the fiber. The pith can undergo considerable variation in diameter along a 

fiber. Parallel fibers are 100 ^-1 mm apart. 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America—America: Lamarck, 1813, p. 435 (as Spongia 

fistularis); 1813, p. 435 (as Spongia tubaeformis). Florida—Hyatt, 1875, p. 402; 1875, p. 

403 (as Verongia tenuissima). West coast, Florida—de Laubenfels, 1953a, p. 515. South 

America—Esper, 1794, p. 228 (as Spongia fistularis). Brazil—Polejaeff, 1884a, p. 71 (as 

Verongia tenuissima) (?); de Laubenfels, 1956, p. 2. Bermuda—Bowerbank, 1845, p. 403; 

Hyatt, 1875, p. 402; Verrill, 1907, p. 332 (as Aplysina fistularis); de Laubenfels, 1950a, 

p. 17. Bahamas—Hyatt, 1875, p. 402; de Laubenfels, 1949, p. 6. Cuba—Hyatt, 1875, p. 

403 (as Verongia hirsuta fistularoides). Puerto Rico—Wilson, 1902a, p. 409 (as Aplysina 

hirsuta). Guadeloupe—Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 60 (as Luff aria fistularis).


DISCUSSION. Verongia fistularis is a West Indian tubular species which undergoes a 

marked color change with death. The large dimensions of the tubes suggest that the 

slender, solid West Indian specimens of Verongia are not conspecific with fistularis. 

De Laubenfels (1948) has placed Luffaria sebae Duchassaing and Michelotti (1864, 

p. 59), and Aplysina praetexta Hyatt (1875, p. 405) into synonymy with Verongia fistularis. 

The first, to judge from the original description, is more likely to be V. lacunosa. 

The second was very inadequately described and apparently had a cup-like shape. Hyatt's 

Verongia hirsuta included both solid and tubular sponges with a rough, probably macerated 

surface. Aplysina fenestrata, also listed as a synonym of V. fistularis by de Laubenfels, 

is clearly congeneric with it, but not conspecific. As described by both Carter (1882) 

and Wilson (1902a), the internal skeleton has a peculiar honeycombed architecture. 

Verongia longissima (Carter) de Laubenfels 

Aplysina longissima Carter, 1882, p. 271 [type: Nassau, Bahamas; Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.)] 

Verongia longissima, de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 21, 23; idem, 1948, p. 85; idem, 1953a, p. 

515; idem, 1956, p. 2, 3; Little, 1963, p. 35. 

Aplysina flagelliformis, Lendenfeld (not Carter, 1886), 1889, p. 412 \partim]; Wilson, 

1902a, p. 406 (including var. rugosa, p. 407.) 

HABITAT. The first specimen was collected by Dr. T. F. Goreau of the University of 

the West Indies in 20 feet of water offshore from Port Royal. He found a second specimen 

in shallow water at a point eleven miles east of Kingston in St. Thomas parish. 

SHAPE. The first (i.e. Port Royal) sponge is a solid cylinder 20 cm in length and about 

1 cm in diameter. It arises from a basal crust which has an area of several square centimeters. 

The second specimen is a cluster of erect, anastomosing branches with a maximum 

height of 18 cm. 

COLOR. When received, the first specimen was reddish in color; the second had a 

yellowish to reddish coloration. The Port Royal sponge is grayish-brown in alcohol. The 

second specimen, which is dry, is now a dark reddish-brown. 

CONSISTENCY. Both sponges were tough and stiff when received. 

SURFACE. Finely conulose. The conules are seldom 1 mm and often only 100-300 //, in 

height. Adjacent conules are usually 1 mm apart and are often connected by low ridges. 

The skeleton of the dried, partially macerated St. Thomas sponge projects above the 

flesh over much of the surface. The oscules are 1-2 mm in diameter. They are scattered 

irregularly on the first and partly arranged in linear rows in the second example. Some 

oscules are in depression in the latter sponge. The depressions often have conules on 

their walls and probably resulted from drying. 

ECTOSOME. A thin outer skin is present in both examples. Dermal pores are scattered 

over the surface at intervals of about 75 p. Typical ostial sizes are 58 X 43, 87 X 65, 

116 x 58, and 145 x 58 p. Spongin fibers occasionally run parallel to and just beneath 

the surface in the interconular ridges. 

ENDOSOME. In both examples, the skeleton is a coarse-meshed reticulation of stratified, 

amber, pithed spongin fibers. Fiber diameter ranges between 40-115 //,. Parallel fibers are 

300 /A to 1 mm apart. The finely granular pith usually occupies y3 to 14 of the diameter. 


1936a, p. 21, 23. West coast, Florida—de Laubenfels, 1953a, p. 515; Little, 1963, p. 35. 

Brazil—de Laubenfels, 1956, p. 2, 3. Bahamas—Carter, 1882, p. 271 (as Aplysina longissima). 

Jamaica—Lendenfeld, 1889, p. 412, partim (?). Puerto Rico—Wilson, 1902a, p. 406 

(as Aplysina flagelliformis and A. flagelliformis var. rugosa). 

DISCUSSION. The Jamaican specimens are similar in color and consistency to Aplysina 

longissima Carter. The peculiar star-like surface knots of Carter's sponge are not present. 

They may have been the result of maceration. My specimens are almost certainly conspecific 

with Verongia longissima as understood by de Laubenfels (1936a, 1948). He stressed 

particularly the relative lack of color change in the species. The sponge is described as 

yellow in life, carmine soon after collection, and dull gray in alcohol. My specimen when 

received may have already begun to alter in color. 

Carter described three species, under as many generic names, which are closely related


to, if not conspecific with, V. longissima. The first, Aplysina cauliformis Carter (1882, p. 

270), of the Bahamas, is a solid cylindrical sponge which differs from V. longissima only 

in having "flaccid" spongin fibers and "subpenicillate" rather than star-like surface fiber 

knots. De Laubenfels (1948, p. 87) considered A. cauliformis to be a synonym of Verongia 

aurea. The pinkish-brown color reported by Carter is certainly inconsistent with de Laubenfels' 

statement (1948, p. 85) that aurea "has to an even greater extent than fistularis 

the property of changing color upon death." Aplysina cauliformis is more likely to be 

conspecific with V. longissima. It would, in that case, take precedence over the latter 

name. Until the types can be re-examined, it is certainly convenient to retain the name 

V. longissima for the sponges reported by de Laubenfels from several localities. We can 

provisionally characterize the Aplysina cauliformis of Carter by its flaccid skeleton. 

Luff aria cauliformis Carter (1882, p. 268) of Antigua and Nassau was described as a 

typically black, stiff, cylindrical sponge, containing stiff, fragile fibers. Carter reported 

that Luff aria cauliformis and Aplysina cauliformis often grew in "conjunction" at Nassau. 

The pale varieties of L. cauliformis are very similar in external appearance to A. cauliformis. 

The distinction between Luffaria and Aplysina as understood by Carter was based 

largely on the presence of a continuous pith in the former and a supposedly discontinuous 

pith in the latter genus (cf. Carter, 1875). We can distinguish Verongia longissima 

from Luffaria cauliformis on the basis of the black color reported for the dried typical 

variety of the latter species. A dried, black Verongia had very probably undergone considerable 

color change after death. 

Hircinia flagelliformis Carter (1886a, p. 372) of southern Australia is also similar in 

form to V. longissima. Carter himself considered it "just possible that the two are the 

same." (p. 373.) Lendenfeld, who examined the type of flagelliformis, concluded that the 

Australian sponge was indeed conspecific with Carter's earlier species. He retained the 

later-published name in violation of the rules of priority. Lendenfeld also assigned a 

Jamaican sponge in the collections of the British Museum to Aplysina flagelliformis 

(Carter). De Laubenfels (1948, p. 87) considered Hircinia flagelliformis Carter to be 

unrecognizable. He (p. 86) curiously included Lendenfeld's Australian record, based on 

Carter's sponge, in the distribution of V. longissima. Two factors weigh against the 

acceptance of the conspecificity of V. longissima and the Australian species. The geographical 

gap is wide, and the fibers may differ in structure. Carter described Hircinia 

flagelliformis as containing sand-cored primary and transparent lateral fibers. The 

Hirciniosa of his classification (1875, p. 136) were characterized by just such a distinction 

between the fibers. Lendenfeld neither mentioned nor denied the existence of two 

types of fibers. 

FAMILY DYSIDEIDAE Gray, sensu de Laubenfels, 1948 

GENUS DYSIDEA Johnston 

Dysidea fragilis (Montagu) Johnston 

Spongia fragilis Montagu, 1818, p. 114 [type: Devon, England; Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) (?)]. 

Duseideia fragilis, Johnston, 1842, p. 187 (corrected to Dysidea on p. 251.); Burton, 1932, 

p. 341. 

Dysidea fragilis, Johnston, 1842, p. 251; Bowerbank, 1864, p. 211; idem, 1866, p. 381; 

idem, 1874, p. 175; idem, 1882, p. 188; Hyatt, 1875, p. 545; Carter, 1876, p. 232; 

Burton, 1934, p. 583; idem, 1936a, p. 26; idem, 1937, p. 41; idem, 1956, p 137; 

idem, 1959b, p. 51; de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 27; idem, 1948, p. 137; idem, 1950a, p. 

22; idem, 1950b, p. 9; idem, 1951b, p. 213; idem, 1953a, p. 515; idem, 1954a, p. 35; 

idem, 1955, p. 138; Rao, 1941, p. 463; Alander, 1942, p. 17; Arndt, 1943, p. 343; 

Sara, 1958a, p. 241; idem, 1958b, p. 274; idem, 1960a, p. 468; idem, 1960b, p. 263; 

Sara and Siribelli, 1960, p. 87; Sara, 1961b, p. 15; LeVi, 1959, p. 138; Vacelet, 1959, p. 

67; idem, 1960, p. 270; idem, 1961, p. 43; Wells et al., 1960, p. 206; Bergquist, 1961, 

p. 211. 

Spongelia fragilis, Schmidt, 1870, p. 27; Lendenfeld, 1889, p. 660 [partim]; Topsent, 1891, 

p. 533; idem, 1891c, p. 127; idem, 1892, p. 134; idem, 1894, p. 43; idem, 1896, p. 123;


idem, 1897, p. 482; idem, 1902b, p. 329; idem, 1925b, p. 452; Topsent and Olivier, 

1943, p. 6; Dendy, 1905, p. 208; idem, 1916a, p. 139; Verrill, 1907, p. 332; Stephens, 

1912, p. 39; idem, 1917, p. 14; Hentschel, 1912, p. 447; idem, 1929, p. 994; Hernandez, 

1916, p. 38; idem, 1917, p. 32; Wilson, 1925, p. 476 (var. fasciculata); Burton, 1933, 

p. 242; Br0ndsted, 1934, p. 25. 

Halichondria areolata Johnston, 1842, p. 121 (fide Bowerbank, 1866.) 

Spongelia incrustans Schmidt, 1862, p. 29 (fide Schmidt, 1864, and Burton, 1934.) 

Spongelia pallescens Schmidt, 1862, p. 30 {fide Burton, 1934); idem, 1864, p. 28; idem,. 

1870, p. 27; Carter, 1876, p. 232; Schulze, 1878a, p. 150, 154; Polejaeff, 1884, p. 42; 

Wilson, 1902a, p. 410; Topsent, 1891b, p. 13; idem, 1925a, p. 715. 

[non] Spongelia pallescens, de Laubenfels, 1935b, p. 327 (fide de Laubenfels, 1950b.) 

Dysidea coriacea Bowerbank, 1874, p. 175 (fide Stephens, 1912, and Burton, 1934); idem, 

1882, p. 188. 

Spongelia elastica var. massa and var. lobata Lendenfeld, 1889, p. 658. 

Spongelia elastica var. lobosa Dendy, 1905, p. 208. 

HABITAT. Common on pilings and mangrove roots at Port Royal. Also found in offshore 

turtle grass beds. 

SHAPE. Incrusting to massive or lobate. Many specimens are fist-sized. 

COLOR. Living specimens vary in color from a dull gray to a gray-blue or a pale purple. 

In alcohol the sponges become drab, with purplish specimens retaining tinges of that 

color. 

CONSISTENCY. Soft, compressible. 

SURFACE. Finely conulose. The conules are 0.5 to 1 mm in height and 1-2 mm apart. 

A delicate, nearly transparent skin covers the surface. It is pierced by oscules which are 

usually 2-3 mm in diameter. In life, the oscules are often rimmed by transparent collars 

several millimeters in height. 

ECTOSOME. A detachable skin contains a small amount of foreign matter. The dermal 

pores are 20-40 jx in diameter. Groups of 6-12 ostia are separated by dense bands of flesh 

which are 20-35 p in diameter. 

ENDOSOME. The skeletal fibers form a very irregular reticulation. In the interior, parallel 

fibers may be as much as one millimeter apart. Considerable amounts of debris, 

including large clumps, may be present in the flesh. Larger fibers, particularly in a sandrich 

specimen, are columns of debris cemented by spongin. Smaller fibers, 30-150 /*, in 

diameter, are composed of spongin which is lightly to heavily cored with foreign material. 

The quantity of sand or spicule fragments present in the sponge probably depends on 

the available material. The sandiest specimen was growing in a sandy turtle grass area 

at Drunkenman's Cay. Specimens collected from pilings and mangrove roots contain 

largely spicular debris. The interior contains numerous, narrow, elongate flagellated 

chambers. Typical sizes are 58 x 29, 65 x 50, and 87 X 72 /*,. Large embryos are present 

in specimens collected in September and December. 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: North Carolina—Wells et al., 1960, p. 206. 

Florida—Schmidt, 1870, p. 27 (as Spongelia pallescens); Hyatt, 1875, p. 545. Dry Tortugas, 

Florida—de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 27. West coast, Florida—de Laubenfels, 1953a, 

p. 515. Brazil—Polejaeff, 1884, p. 42 (as Spongelia pallescens); Lendenfeld, 1889, p. 660 

(as Spongelia fragilis). Bermuda—Verrill, 1907, p. 332 (as Spongelia fragilis); de Laubenfels, 

1950a, p. 22. Antilles—Schmidt, 1870, p. 27 (as Spongelia pallescens). Puerto Rico— 

Wilson, 1902a, p. 410 (as Spongelia pallescens). 

European Boreal Atlantic—North Atlantic: Carter, 1876, p. 232; Topsent, 1892, 

p. 134 (as Spongelia fragilis). Iceland—Schmidt, 1870, p. 27 (as Spongelia pallescens); 

Carter, 1876, p. 232 (as Spongelia pallescens); Burton, 1959b, p. 51. Ireland—Stephens, 

1912, p. 39 (as Spongelia fragilis); 1917, p. 14 (as Spongelia fragilis). Britain—Montagu, 

1818, p. 114 (as Spongia fragilis); Johnston, 1842, p. 187 (as Duseideia) and p. 251 

(as Dysidea); Johnston, 1842, p. 121 (as Halichondria areolata); Bowerbank, 1864, p. 211; 

1866, p. 381; 1874, p. 175; 1882, p. 188; Bowerbank, 1874, p. 175, (as Dysidea coriacea); 

1882, p. 188 (as Dysidea coriacea). Sweden—Alander, 1942, p. 17. Germany—Arndt, 1943, 

p. 343. Roscoff, France—Topsent, 1891, p. 533, (as Spongelia fragilis). Atlantic coast,


France—Topsent, 1891c, p. 127 (as Spongelia fragilis). Atlantic coast, Spain—Hernandez, 

1917, p. 32 (as Spongelia fragilis). 

Mediterranean—Atlantic—Mediterranean coast: Spain—Hernandez, 1916, p. 38 (as 

Spongelia fragilis). Mediterranean coast, France—Topsent, 1896, p. 123 (as Spongelia 

fragilis); 1925b, p. 17 (as Spongelia fragilis); Topsent and Olivier, 1943, p. 6 (as Spongelia 

fragilis); Vacelet, 1959, p. 67; 1960, p. 270. Ligurean Sea, Italy—Sara, 1958a, p. 241. 

Naples, Italy—Topsent, 1925a, p. 715 (as Spongelia pallescens); Sara, 1958b, p. 274; 

1960a, p. 468; 1960b, p. 263; 1961b, p. 15; Sara and Siribelli, 1960, p. 87. Adriatic- 

Schmidt, 1862, p. 29 (as Spongelia incrustans); 1862, p. 30 (as Spongelia pallescens); 

Schulze, 1878a, p. 150, 154 (as Spongelia pallescens). Corsica—Vacelet, 1961, p. 43. 

Mediterranean coast, Egypt, Burton, 1936a, p. 26. Tunisia—Topsent, 1894a, p. 43 (as 

Spongelia fragilis). Algeria—Topsent, 1902b, p. 328 (as Spongelia fragilis). Black Sea— 

de Laubenfels, 1951b, p. 213. 

Tropical West Africa—Topsent, 1891b, p. 13 (as Spongelia pallescens); Burton, 1956, 

p. 137; Levi, 1959, p. 138. 

South Atlantic: Ascension Island—Burton, 1932, p. 341 (as Duseideia fragilis). 

South Africa—Burton, 1933, p. 242 (as Spongelia fragilis). Indian Ocean—Zanzibar, 

East Africa—Hyatt, 1875, p. 545; Burton, 1959a, p. 272. South Arabian coast—Burton, 

1959a, p. 272. Mauritius—Lendenfeld, 1889, p. 660 (as Spongelia fragilis). Okhamandal, 

India—Dendy, 1916a, p. 139 (as Spongelia fragilis). Madras, India—Burton, 1937, p. 41. 

Ceylon—Dendy, 1905, p. 208 (as Spongelia fragilis); 1905, p. 208 (as Spongelia elastica 

var. lobosa); Rao, 1941, p. 463. Indo-Malaya—Malaya—Rao, 1941, p. 463. Straits of 

Malacca—Lendenfeld, 1889, p. 658 (as Spongelia elastica varieties massa and lobata). 

East Indies—Topsent, 1897, p. 482 (as Spongelia fragilis); Hentschel, 1912, p. 447 (as 

Spongelia fragilis); Br0ndsted, 1934, p. 25 (as Spongelia fragilis). 

Australia—Lendenfeld, 1889, p. 660 (as Spongelia fragilis); 1889, p. 658 (as Spongelia 

elastica, varieties massa and lobata). Great Barrier Reef—Burton, 1934, p. 583. Chatham 

Islands—Bergquist, 1961, p. 211. 

West Central Pacific—de Laubenfels, 1954a, p. 35; 1955, p. 138. 

DISCUSSION. The circumtropical Dysidea fragilis extends into cold temperate and even 

sub-Arctic waters in the northeastern Atlantic. Although it seems unlikely that all of 

the populations are conspecific, present evidence does not permit a division into species 

or subspecies. The extensive synonymies of Burton (1934) and de Laubenfels (1948) 

require verification. Bowerbank (1866) and Burton (1934) have discussed intraspecific 

variation in Dysidea fragilis. 

De Laubenfels (1936a) described Dysidea etheria from the West Indies. It differs from 

the Jamaican sponge in having a brilliant sky-blue color and a coarser surface. Its primary 

and secondary fibers enclosed different types of foreign matter. 

GENUS IANTHELLA Gray 

Ianthella ardis de Laubenfels 

lanthella ardis de Laubenfels, 1950a, p. 31 [type: Bermuda; Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) reg. 

no. 1950.5.23.1]; idem, 1953a, p. 516; Little, 1963, p. 36. 

lanthella basta, de Laubenfels (not Pallas, 1766), 1936a, p. 31 (fide de Laubenfels, 1950a). 

HABITAT. A single specimen was collected by Dr. T. F. Goreau of the University of 

the West Indies, in shallow water, eleven miles east of Kingston (in St. Thomas parish). 

SHAPE. Massive, attaining a maximum thickness of 5 cm. 

COLOR. The sponge had a bluish-purple exterior, and a yellowish interior when received 

on shore. In alcohol, the entire specimen is purplish-black, the exterior being 

darkest in color. 

CONSISTENCY. The sponge is stiff and exhibits little compressibility. When cut, it has 

the consistency of cheese. 

SURFACE. Smooth to the touch, but uneven. Low, blunt conules, 1-3 mm in height, are 

scattered over the surface. They are joined to each other by flattened ridges and raised


plateaux. The resultant depressions may be areas up to 5 mm in diameter, or merely 

narrow furrows. The sparsely distributed oscules are 2-3 mm in diameter. 

ECTOSOME. The detachable skin is strongly pigmented. It is pierced by dermal pores, 

that vary in size from 40 x 30 to 90 X 40 /A. Groups of 5-10 ostia are located in irregularly 

polygonal areas, 150-220 ^ in maximum width. They are separated by broad dense 

bands of flesh. 

ENDOSOME. The interior is traversed by canals which often reach a centimeter in diameter. 

The skeleton is coarse-meshed and irregular. Adjacent fibers are usually several 

millimeters apart. They branch acutely and occasionally anastomose. The spongin fibers 

are yellow, laminated and pithed. Fiber diameter varies between 300-600 [i, with the 

pith accounting for 35-90 per cent of the total. The amount of pith is not constant even 

for fibers of similar diameter. The pith contains a granular material and also small cells, 

7-10 n in diameter, of unknown function. Debris, largely in the form of coarse sand 

grains, is sparingly distributed in the flesh, but is absent from the fibers. 


1936a, p. 31 (as Ianthella basta). West coast, Florida—de Laubenfels, 1953a, p. 516; Little, 

1963, p. 36. Bermuda—de Laubenfels, 1950a, p. 31. 

DISCUSSION. De Laubenfels has recorded the color in life as yellow, yellow-green or 

grass-green. He has noted a change to blue and then to purple after death. My specimen 

had apparently begun such a transformation. Ianthella ianthella de Laubenfels, 1949, 

another West Indian representative of the genus, differs from the present species by its 

carmine red color in life, more dendritic skeleton, peculiarly knobbed conules and much 

more delicate fibers. 

SUBORDER Dendroceratina Minchin, 1900 

FAMILY APLYSILLIDAE Vosmaer, sensu de Laubenfels, 1948 

GENUS DARWINELLA Muller 

Darwinella rosacea n. sp. 

HOLOTYPE. YPM 5032. Mangrove boat channel, July 13, 1961. 

HABITAT. The sponge is common on mangrove roots and shells. 

SHAPE. A small thin crust, seldom exceeding 0.5 mm in thickness. Most specimens are 

only 1-2 square cm in area. 

COLOR. The living sponge is pink. In alcohol, it becomes pinkish-brown or beige. 

CONSISTENCY. Soft. 

SURFACE. Conulose. The slender conules rise about 0.5 mm above the surrounding 

surface. They are one to several millimeters apart. No oscular openings were seen. A 

network of bands, visible under a magnification of 20 X, radiates outward from the 

conules. 

ECTOSOME. A delicate detachable dermal membrane is present. The dermal pores are 

20-30 fj, in diameter. They are typically located in groups of 6 to 12. The partitions 

between adjacent pores are 7-15 p in diameter. The previously mentioned surface bands, 

30 fx in diameter, enclose the pore groups. 

ENDOSOME. The spongin fibers run obliquely from their basal expansions up to the 

conules. The fibers branch infrequently and never anastomose with adjacent parts of 

the skeleton. They are 40-100 ^ in diameter just above the base, and gradually diminish 

in size toward their distal end. The fibers consist of a longitudinally striated cortex and 

a central pith. The latter usually occupies somewhat more than one half of the total 

fiber diameter. At irregular intervals, the pith is crossed by transverse, distally convex 

lines. 

The spongin spicules are triactinal, with sharp-pointed rays. They lie free in the flesh, 

near the base of the sponge. The rays are only 130-276 ^ in length. Their basal diameter 

ranges between 10-17 p. The rays may be nearly straight, with slightly irregular outlines, 

or bent near their proximal or distal ends. 

Much of the interior is occupied by closely packed, sac-like flagellated chambers. 

Typical sizes include 87 X 43, 94 x 72, and 108 X 87 /x. Specimens collected in May, 

July and August contain embryos near the substratum.


DISCUSSION. TWO species of Darwinella have been reported from Tropical Atlantic 

America. Darwinella joyeuxi Topsent, 1889, is a cylindrical sponge with long-rayed 

spicules. D. millleri (M. Schultze) Miiller is a yellow sponge with multi-rayed spicules. 

The Darwinella millleri recorded by de Laubenfels (1950a) from Bermuda is a large 

ramose sponge with long-rayed triactinal spicules. It is certainly conspecific with neither 

the Jamaican sponge nor the D. millleri of Miiller and Schulze. 

The Jamaican sponge is most similar to D. intermedia Topsent (1894e) of France. 

Topsent's species differs in having a yellow color and spicules with markedly flexuous 

rays of a rather uniform small size (100-150 p). Taking the differences and wide geographical 

gap into consideration, the Jamaican sponge is unlikely to be conspecific with 

D. intermedia. 

ORDER HAPLOSCLERIDA Topsent 1928 

FAMILY HALICLONIDAE de Laubenfels 1932b 

GENUS HALICLONA Grant 

Haliclona doria de Laubenfels 


Haliclona doria de Laubenfels, 1936b, p. 458 [type: Fort Randolph, Panama; USNM 

no. 22245.] 

HABITAT. Several specimens were collected at Gun Cay. The species was very abundant 

in the shallow water turtle grass bed at the Port Royal end of the Port Royal-Kingston 

mangrove boat channel. 

SHAPE. A typical specimen is a complex of repent, anastomosing, cylindrical to ovoid 

branches which are 1-1.5 cm in diameter. A colony may extend over several feet of turtle 

grass. Gun Cay specimens are thicker, with branches often several centimeters in 

diameter. 

COLOR. In life, the upper surfaces are brownish-yellow to dark brown with a purplish 

tinge. Under-surfaces are light brown to cream. The interior is yellowish. In alcohol, 

the specimens are drab. 

CONSISTENCY. Stiff, easily broken into pieces. 

SURFACE. Even. The scattered oscules, 1-4 mm in diameter, often have low rims. 

ECTOSOME. No dermal specialization. The vertical bundles of the interior merely come 

to an end, forming a microhispid surface. 

ENDOSOME. The skeleton is a rather symmetrical framework of spicule tracts. The 

meshes are square to rectangular, with a maximum width of 70-240 p. The bundles are 

loosely organized, 30-60 ^ in diameter, and occasionally bound at nodes by small amounts 

of spongin. In addition, many spicules are scattered in the flesh. 

SPICULES. Oxeas, stout, straight to slightly curved, typically hastate, with the points 

beginning at about 1 1/2 diameters from the end, 140-188 X 3-12 /A. Individual analyses, 

lengths in microns, 50 spicules each: 140-176; 152-174; 140-176; 152-188; 140-176; 140-176. 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America; Atlantic coast of Panama—de Laubenfels, 

1936b, p. 458. 

DISCUSSION. The dark brown color and pasteboard consistency of Haliclona doria is 

unusual for the genus. H. longleyi de Laubenfels, 1932a, of the West Indies does resemble 

H. doria in shape and consistency. It differs in having a yellowish-green color in life. Its 

spicules are more fusiform and less robust than those of H. doria. The Gun Cay specimens 

are identical in structure and spiculation with the inshore specimens. They have, 

however, a coarsely porous surface and thicker, more irregularly shaped branches. They 

are therefore only provisionally considered as conspecific with Haliclona doria. 

Haliclona rub ens (Pallas) de Laubenfels 

Spongia rubens Pallas, 1766, p. 389 [type: American seas; repository unknown]; Duchassaing 

and Michelotti, 1864, p. 41. 

Pachychalina rubens, Schmidt, 1870, p. 37; Wilson, 1902a, p. 392. 

Chalina rubens, Carter, 1882, p. 276 [partim.]


Haliclona rubens, de Laubenfels, 1932a, p. 59; idem, 1936a, p. 40; idem, 1949, p. 9; idem, 

1953a, p. 519; Burton, 1954, p. 223; Hartman, 1955, p. 167; Little, 1963, p. 39. 

Amphimedon arhorescens Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 79 {fide Wilson, 1902a.) 

HABITAT. The species is common on coral outcroppings near the cays. 

SHAPE. Some specimens are irregularly massive but most are ramose. In the latter 

case, the erect branches may reach a height of more than one foot and a diameter of 

1-2 cm. 

COLOR. A very constant dark red which becomes somewhat darker in preserved and 

dried specimens. 


SURFACE. Even, punctiform. The scattered oscules are 2-5 mm in diameter. 

ECTOSOME. No dermal specialization. 

ENDOSOME. The skeleton is an irregular network of fibers and tracts, typically with 

rounded meshes. Numerous interstitial spicules are present. Spongin varies in amount 

within the skeleton of an individual. Many fibers of 30-45 /x diameter seem to lack it 

entirely. In adjacent parts of the skeleton spongin may form either a cementing layer 

or the greater part of the fiber. In the latter case, the fibers contain a multispicular core 

and may reach 70-90 ju, in total diameter. 

SPICULES. Oxeas, blunt to hastate, mostly curved, 117-163 x 3-8 p. As noted by Hartman 

(1955), many of the blunt spicules are actually styles or strongyles. Their frequency 

varies in different specimens. In one specimen, nearly 20 per cent of the spicules are 

strongyles. Some strongyles have irregular lumps in mid-shaft. Individual analyses, oxeas, 

lengths in microns, 50 spicules each: 117-146; 117-140; 123-163; 117-146. 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: American Seas—Pallas, 1776, p. 389 (as 

Spongia rubens); Florida—Schmidt, 1870, p. 37 (as Pachychalina rubens); Dry Tortugas, 

Florida—de Laubenfels 1932a, p. 59 and 1936a, p. 40; West Coast, Florida—de Laubenfels, 

1953a, p. 519; West Coast, Florida—Little, 1963, p. 39; Yucatan—Hartman, 

1955, p. 167; Bahamas—Carter, 1882, p. 276 (as Chalina rubens), de Laubenfels, 1949, p. 

9; Cuba—Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 41 (as Spongia rubens); Puerto Rico— 

Wilson, 1902a, p. 392 (as Pachychalina rubens); Gorda Cay, Mosquito Bank, West Indies 

—Burton, 1954, p. 223. Lesser Antilles—Viecques, St. Thomas, Guadeloupe, Dominican 

Republic—Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 41 (as Spongia rubens); St. Thomas, 

Tortole (?), St. Barthelemy—Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 79 (as Amphimedon 

arborescens); Antilles—Schmidt, 1870, p. 37, (as Pachychalina rubens); Australia—South 

Australia—Carter, 1882, p. 276 (as Chalina rubens)} 

DISCUSSION. The species is attributed to Pallas whose red ramose sponge came from 

American Seas. De Laubenfels (1936a) has verified Duchassaing and Michelotti's record 

of H. rubens from their specimens. The type of their red Amphimedon arbor escens had 

apparently been lost. Cacochalina rubiginosa Schmidt (1870, p. 73) may be another 

synonym of H. rubens. Carter's Australian record, based on a light yellow sponge, is 

almost certainly erroneous. 

Haliclona erina de Laubenfels 

(Plate I, figs. 2, 3) 

Haliclona erina de Laubenfels, 1936b, p. 457 [type: Fort Randolph, Panama; USNM 

no. 22245]; idem, 1956, p. 3. 

[non] Haliclona erina, Burton, 1954, p. 223. 

HABITAT. Common in the turtle grass bed near Port Royal. It also occurs in the 

mangrove boat channel. Some of the mangrove specimens were growing over specimens 

of Geodia. 

SHAPE. A thickly encrusting to massive base, with volcano-shaped oscular projections. 

The sponge may also be somewhat ramose. 

COLOR. A dull dark green in life. The color is similar in specimens growing under

20 A SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF THE DEMOSPONGIAE OF JAMAICA 

shaded and well-lit conditions. Preserved specimens become pale drab or dull yellowishgreen. 

CONSISTENCY. Firm. The sponge is very easily crumbled. 

SURFACE. Even, punctiform and smooth to the touch. The oscules are 3-4 mm in 

diameter. Most of the vents are apically placed on volcanic projections, 1-6 cm in height. 

The thick-walled projections enclose axial cloacal cavities which may be several centimeters 

long. 

ECTOSOME. No skeletal specialization. The scattered dermal pores are 30-60 ^ in 

maximum diameter. They pierce an aspiculous dermal membrane. 

ENDOSOME. Microcavernous. The skeleton is a spicular network with some spongin 

at the nodes. The network is composed of single spicules and ill-defined tracts with 

several rows of spicules. The meshes are typically 3-4 sided, with parallel sides 70-150 //, 

apart. Radial and connective bundles are well developed near the periphery, becoming 

as much as 90 jx in diameter. The tracts often project slightly beyond the fleshy surface. 

SPICULES. Robust oxeas, slightly curved to straight, 135-188 x 5-12 /x. A few long 

oxeas, apparently proper, are 200-270 ^ in length. The spicules narrow near the ends 

but are seldom strongly hastate. Mucronate spicules also occur. The developmental stages 

are thin and fusiform. A few styles, strongyles and centrotylote strongyles are present. 

Individual analyses, lengths in microns, 50 spicules each: 152-198; 163-188; 152-188; 141- 

176; 141-182; 135-182. 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: Atlantic coast of Panama—de Laubenfels, 

1936b, p. 457; Brazil—de Laubenfels, 1956, p. 3. American Atlantic Boreal: Newfoundland—Burton, 

1954, p. 223? 

DISCUSSION. TWO species of green haliclonids occur in the West Indies. Haliclona 

viridis (Duchassaing and Michelotti) de Laubenfels is said to have a limp, soft consistency 

in life. Most of the reported specimens have spicules which are much less robust than 

those of my specimens. The North Carolina example of H. viridis reported by Wells 

et al. does have robust spicules. It differs in color and consistency from the Jamaican 

sponge. A Spicule slide prepared from de Laubenfels' Bahaman specimen at the American 

Museum of Natural History contains only thin fusiform oxeas. A sample of 50 spicules 

varied in length between 130-152 fi. The diameter was only 2-3 /x. A Bermudan specimen 

in the Yale Peabody Museum, identified by de Laubenfels, has oxeas, 123-145 x 2-3 JJL 

(25 spicules). 

De Laubenfels emphasized a brilliant green color and wide range of spicule size in 

his brief description of Haliclona erina. Oscular position was not described. Except for a 

less brilliant color, the Jamaican sponges are similar to H. erina and are provisionally 

considered to be conspecific with it. 

Burton's Newfoundland record is questionable in view of the locality and the inadequacy 

of the original description. 

Haliclona hogarthi n. sp. 

(Text-fig. 1; Plate II, fig. 1) 

Fig. 1. —Spicules of Haliclona hogarthi. Oxeas. YPM 5033. Holotype.



HABITAT. Abundant on mangrove roots near Port Royal. 

SHAPE. The sponge consists of numerous, slender, anastomosing branches. The 

branches are often only several millimeters and are seldom more than 1 cm in diameter. 

COLOR. The living sponge has a light reddish-purple periphery. It gradually becomes 

drab toward the interior. In alcohol, the sponges are a pale to dark drab. 

CONSISTENCY. Limp, soft, compressible, somewhat resilient. 

SURFACE. Punctiform. Even but wrinkled. The surface is microtuberculate as seen 

under a dissecting microscope at a magnification of 14 x. The numerous scattered oscules 

are 1-3 mm in diameter. They may be even with the surface or slightly raised. 

ECTOSOME. The dermal pores are 12-35 p, in diameter. They are separated by narrow 

aspiculous bands of flesh. At the surface many spicules are tangential while others project 

from the surface. 

ENDOSOME. An isodictyal, largely unispicular reticulation with 3- or 4-sided meshes. 

No spicule bundles are present. Spongin is present at nodes and occasionally envelops 

an entire spicule. The thin developmental stages of oxeas are scattered in the flesh. 

Aspiculous embryos are present in specimens collected in January, February and May. 

SPICULES. Oxeas, straight to slightly curved, hastate, occasionally mucronate, 117-157 

X 5-9 fi. A few styles occur. 

Individual analyses, lengths in microns, 50 spicules each: 128-152*; 123-140; 123-145; 

128-146; 117-152; 117-157. 

DISCUSSION. The species is characterized by its anastomosing form, reddish-purple 

color, limp consistency and hastate spicules. It is named in honor of Mr. W. E. Hogarth, 

of Kingston, Jamaica, whose encouragement is deeply appreciated. 

FAMILY DESMACIDONIDAE Gray, sensu de Laubenfels, 1936a 

GENUS DESMAPSAMMA Burton 

Desmapsamma Burton, (1934) has the spiculation of Desmacidon Bowerbank and a 

similar structure, aside from the presence of debris. De Laubenfels (1936a, p. 98) placed 

Desmapsamma in his heterogeneous family Psammascidae, which only obscures its relationships. 

Desmapsamma anchorata (Carter) Burton 

(Plate II, fig. 4) 

Fibularia anchorata Carter, 1882, p. 283 [type: Antigua; Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.)(?)] 

Desmapsamma anchorata, Burton, 1934, p. 547; idem, 1956, p. 131; idem, 1959, p. 239; 

Levi, 1959, p. 135. 

Desmacidon reptans Ridley and Dendy, 1886, p. 345 (fide Burton, 1934); idem, 1887, p. 

105; Lindgren, 1897, p. 482; idem, 1898, p. 303. 

Desmacidon carterianum Arndt, 1927, p. 147. 

HABITAT. Common on pilings at Port Royal and on coral heads in 10-12 feet of water 

near the cays. 

SHAPE. In a typical example a number of solid cylindrical branches arise from a 

common base. The branches may be several millimeters to more than a centimeter in 

diameter and often attain a height of 12 cm. Small oscules are sparsely scattered over 

their surface. In many specimens the base also gives rise to thick-walled oscular tubes. 

The tubes have an axial cloaca and wide apical oscules. The projections are typically 

1-2 cm in diameter and 1-3 cm in height. A few specimens have only the oscular type of 

projection. 

COLOR. In life the exterior is a pale pink and the interior, a darker reddish-orange. 

In alcohol the sponges become beige to light gray but often retain a pinkish tinge. 

CONSISTENCY. Compressible, quite resilient. 

SURFACE. The surface is smooth to the touch but somewhat wrinkled. A dermal membrane 

can be detached with some difficulty. The oscules are 1-2 mm in diameter along


the branches and up to 5 mm in diameter on the oscular projections. All oscules have 

a membranous rim which is depressed with respect to the adjacent surface. 

ECTOSOME. The dermal membrane is supported by the plumose, slightly projecting 

ends of the interior spicule fibers. The dermal membrane contains sigmas, very numerous 

isochelas and scattered oxeas. Considerable amounts of sand and spicule fragments are 

scattered in the skin of all the examined specimens. The proper megascleres and debris 

form a reticulate pattern when they are condensed in inter-ostial partitions. The dermal 

pores are 30-65 /x in diameter. 

ENDOSOME. The interior contains scattered oxeas and an irregular reticulation of 

spicule tracts. The latter are often 10-90 p in diameter and 100 ^ apart. Longitudinal 

strands are well developed. They give off radial bundles which end in dermal spicule 

tufts. Microscleres of both types are common in the flesh. Very little foreign material is 

present in the interior. 

SPICULES, (a) Oxeas, slightly curved to straight, mostly hastate, 140-200 X 3-7 p. The 

oxeas of the interior spicule tracts are stout. Most of the dermal and interstitial megascleres 

are thin, (b) Sigmas, 10-43 X 1-2 fi. (c) Arcuate isochelas, 10-23 ^ in length, with 

a shaft diameter of 1-2 /x. The toothed ends are as much as 7 fi in diameter. The ends 

are 4 jn long in a spicule of 12 p total length, and 7/J, long in one of 17 fi total length. 

Individual analyses, lengths in microns: 

Oxeas Sigmas Isochelas 

145-195 (50) 12-36 (25) 10-18 (25) 

145-188 (50) 10-37 (25) 10-18 (25) 

140-199 (50) 13-40 (25) 10-22 (50) 

143-200 (50) 12-43 (50) 12-23 (50) 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: Brazil—Ridley and Dendy, 1886, p. 345 

and 1887, p. 105 (as Desmacidon reptans); Antigua—Carter, 1882, p. 283 (as Fibularia 

anchorata); Curasao—Arndt, 1927, p. 147 (as Desmacidon carterianum); Tropical West 

Africa—Burton, 1956, p. 131, and LeVi, 1959, p. 135. Indo-Pacific: Zanzibar, East Africa— 

Burton, 1959, p. 239; China Sea—Lindgren, 1897, p. 482 and 1898, p. 303 (as Desmacidon 

reptans); Great Barrier Reef, Australia—Burton, 1934, p. 547. 

DISCUSSION. The Jamaican specimens are most similar in structure to the Brazilian 

sponges described as Desmacidon reptans by Ridley and Dendy. My specimens differ only 

in having better developed spicule tracts in the interior. The West Indian specimens of 

Arndt and Carter had considerably more debris, with foreign material abundant in the 

interior. It should be noted that all of my specimens were growing on wood or coral 

surfaces, with little sand available. The specimens of Lindgren and LeVi differ from 

mine in having dermal oxeas slightly smaller in length than those of the interior. 

The specimens attributed to the species, although from widely separated localities, 

are very similar in structure. Burton (1934, p. 547) examined the specimens of Ridley 

and Dendy, Carter and Lindgren and concluded that they were conspecific. 

NEOFIBULARIA n. gen. 

A reticulate skeleton without dermal specialization. The megascleres are strongyles. 

The microsclere complement includes raphides and often sigmas. Fibularia massa Carter 

(1882) is the type-species. 

Neofibularia is proposed as a new name for Fibularia Carter. The latter is preoccupied 

for an echinoderm, as noted by Vosmaer (1886, p. 392, 400) and de Laubenfels 

(1936a, p. 51). Carter (1882) included three West Indian species in his genus which was 

undefined. Fibularia massa had strongyles, raphides and sigmas. F. ramosa had oxeas and 

sigmas, and was transferred to Gelliodes by de Laubenfels (1936a, p. 53). F. anchorata, 

with oxeas, sigmas and foreign material, was made the type species of Desmapsamma by 

Burton (1934, p. 547). 

In 1886 Carter described an Australian sponge with oxeas and sigmas as Fibulia 

carnosa. Fibulia was not given a diagnosis. De Laubenfels (1936a, p. 51) considered


Fibulia to be a direct substitution for the preoccupied Fibularia. Burton (1929, p. 142) 

had already established a new genus Plumocolumella for Fibulia carnosa on the assumption 

that Fibulia was a misprint for Fibularia. Burton later concluded (1936b, p. 142) 

that "no substantial evidence of a misprint" was available. He therefore considered 

Fibulia to be a valid genus with F. carnosa Carter as its type-species. Carter gave no 

indication that Fibulia was to be a substitute for Fibularia. A new generic name is 

therefore necessary for Fibularia massa Carter. 

In addition to the type species, Neofibularia includes the following species: 

Fibulia nolitangere (Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 82) de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 51. 

Fibulia raphidifera (Topsent, 1889, p. 16) de Laubenfels, 1950a, p. 78. 

Fibulia bermuda de Laubenfels, 1950a, p. 52. 

Neofibularia massa (Carter) new combination 

Fibularia massa Carter, 1882, p. 282 [type: Bahamas; Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) (?)] 

Gellius massa, Arndt, 1927, p. 151. 

Fibulia massa, de Laubenfels, 1950a, p. 53; idem, 1953a, p. 527. 

HABITAT. A common species near the cays. It often grows on the underside of projecting 

ledges in shallow water. In deeper water (10-15 feet) it grows on coral masses. 

SHAPE. The shallow water specimens are laterally spreading masses several centimeters 

in thickness. Their large cloacae lead to terminal openings which are flush with the 

surface. The offshore specimens may be vasiform or consist of several thick-walled hollow 

projections arising from a basal mass. Large vases often reach 12 cm in height. Their 

walls reach a thickness of 2-4 cm and their cloacal openings, a diameter of 2-4 cm. 

COLOR. In life the peripheral 1-2 mm are a reddish or mustard brown. The color 

gradually fades to a dull yellow toward the interior. Preserved specimens are beige to 

drab with a greenish tinge and occasionally have purple tinges. 

CONSISTENCY. Soft, very easily crumbled. 

SURFACE. The outer and cloacal surfaces are fibrohispid. The outer surface is rough 

to the touch but even. It is pierced by a few oscular (?) openings which are less than 0.5 

mm in diameter. Numerous exhalant canals, 0.5-5 mm in diameter, empty into the 

cloacal cavity. They are often continued upward as longitudinal grooves in the cloacal 

surface. 

ECTOSOME. Fibrohispid. No dermal specialization. 

ENDOSOME. Cavernous. The skeleton is a coarse-meshed, symmetrical reticulation of 

stout spicule tracts, which are 40-150 //, in diameter. The rectangular meshes are 300- 

1000 ji in maximum width. Raphides, sigmas and some megascleres are strewn in the 

flesh. 

SPICULES, (a) Strongyles, slightly to strongly curved, 261-386 X 5-10 /x. (b) Raphides, 

68-1 50JU, in length. They occasionally reach 3 p in diameter but are usually much thinner. 

Many are grouped into trichodragmata, 30-60 ^ in diameter, (c) Sigmas, 16-26 /x. 

Individual analyses, length in microns: 

Strongyles Raphides Sigmas 

261-334 (50) 68-122 (25) 17-24 (25) 

281-386 (50) 79-150 (25) 18-26 (25) 

292-357 (50) 72-133 (25) 18-23 (25) 

26^358 (50) 76-130 (25) 16-23 (25) 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: Florida—de Laubenfels, 1950a, p. 53 (as 

Fibulia massa); West coast, Florida—de Laubenfels, 1953a, p. 527 (as Fibulia massa); 

Bahamas—Carter, 1882, p. 282 (as Fibularia massa); Curasao—Arndt, 1927, p. 151 (as 

Gellius massa). 

DISCUSSION. A graded series was observed between vasiform and thickly incrusting 

specimens. Carter's sponge was of the latter type. The species is very irritating to the skin.


GENUS IOTROCHOTA Ridley 

Iotrochota birotulata (Higgin) Ridley 

Halichondria birotulata Higgin, 1877, p. 296 [type: Venezuela; Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) (?)] 

[non] Halichondria birotulata, Carter, 1886, p. 52 (fide Dendy, 1896); idem, 1887, p. 72. 

Iotrochota birotulata, Ridley, 1884, p. 433; de Laubenfels, 1932a, p. 37; idem, 1936a, p. 

49; idem, 1953a, p. 522. 

HABITAT. Common on pilings at Port Royal and on coral masses offshore from the 

cays. 

SHAPE. Typically ramose with branches 1-2 centimeters in diameter. One massive 

specimen was collected. 

COLOR. Very dark purple, nearly black, with a greenish surface sheen in life. A 

purplish slime is emitted when the sponge is handled. Dried and preserved specimens 

are purplish black. 

CONSISTENCY. Tough, rather stiff. 

SURFACE. Numerous conules and connecting ridges make the surface very uneven. 

The narrow sharp-pointed conules are 1-3 mm in height and 1-8 mm apart. The shallow 

depressions between the elevated areas are covered by a thin skin. The oscules are small, 

scattered and infrequent. Orange zoanthids are present on the surface. 

ECTOSOME. The skin contains sparsely scattered, long, thin styles and numerous 

birotules. It is pierced by numerous ostia which are 20-30 fi in diameter. In places, the 

surface is underlain by subdermal cavities which are often 200 /x in depth. 

ENDOSOME. The skeleton includes a reticulation of spicule bundles and scattered 

interstitial megascleres. Birotules are most abundant near the canals and periphery 

The spicule tracts are 35-180 p in diameter and 170-650 ^ apart. Stout bundles extend 

into the conules. No localization of megasclere types could be detected in the endosome. 

A specimen collected during November, 1960, contains numerous densely pigmented 

aspiculous embryos, as large as 500 /x in longest diameter. 

SPICULES, (a) Strongyles, mostly curved, 117-286 p, in length. The diameter varies between 

3-8 /x, with the longest spicules typically thin and occasionally anisostrongylote. 

(b) Styles, less frequent, mostly curved, 129-253 x 5-10 /*. The longer spicules, such as 

those in the ectosome, are frequently thin, (c) Oxeas, hastate, rare or absent, 152-188 p. 

Their diameter is similar to that of the styles and strongyles. (d) Birotules, 10-18 /JL in 

length. 


Strongyles 

Styles 

Oxeas Birotules 

117-217 (50) 

140-246 (50) 

117-258 (50) 

152-286 (50) 

present 

- present 

present 

130-182 (50) 

159-253 (30) 

129-193 (30) 

130-186 (30) 

present 

present 

present 

152-188 (25) 

183 (1) 

none 

163 (2) 

rare 

rare 

rare 

13-16 (25) 

13-17 (25) 

12-14 (25) 

12-15 (25) 

13-18 (25) 

13-17 (25) 

10-13 (25) 


1932a, p. 37, 1936a, p. 49; West coast, Florida—de Laubenfels, 1953a, p. 522; Venezuela— 

Higgin, 1877, p. 296 (as Halichondria birotulata); Bahamas—Higgin, 1877, p. 296 (as 

Halichondria birotulata); Jamaica—Higgin, 1877, p. 296 (as Halichondria birotulata), 

de Laubenfels, 1932a, p. 37; Indo-Pacific: Mergui Archipelago, off Burma—Carter, 1887, 

p. 72 (as Halichondria birotulata)(?). 

DISCUSSION. Oxeas are known to occur in the genus, being common, for example, in 

I. acerata Dendy (1896). They have not been recorded previously for 7. birotulata. Although 

rare at best, their uniformity of shape indicates that they are proper to the 

sponge. 

De Laubenfels reported that the birotules may be rare or absent. Higgin's sponge


from the Bahamas was described as having no microscleres. Numerous birotules were 

present in the Jamaican specimens examined by Higgin, de Laubenfels and myself. 

Spongin could not be detected in the present specimens. Higgin found it to be variable 

in quantity and least abundant in his Jamaican specimen. 

Dendy (1896) re-examined Carter's 1886 Australian sponge and found it to be conspecific 

with Iotrochota coccinea (Carter, 1887) rather than with Higgin's species. Carter's 

1887 record of an Indian Ocean /. birotulata, based on an undescribed reddish-purple 

specimen, must be questioned. 

GENUS GELLIODES Ridley 

Gelliodes areolata (Wilson) new combination 

(Plate II, fig. 3) 

Pachychalina areolata Wilson, 1902a, p. 392 [type: off Vieques; USNM no. 7671.] 

Haliclona areolata, de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 39; Wells et al., 1960, p. 207. 

Haliclona excelsa, de Laubenfels (not Schmidt, 1870), 1947, p. 36 (fide Wells et al., 1960.) 

HABITAT. Abundant on pilings at Port Royal. 

SHAPE. Solid, cylindrical. The sponge may consist of a single flattened cylinder or a 

cluster of cylindrical branches. The branches are typically 2-3 cm in diameter. Many 

specimens are 10-20 cm in maximum length. 

COLOR. In life, the sponges are a dull reddish pink or a dull purple. They become 

beige in alcohol. 

CONSISTENCY. Compressible, resilient. 

SURFACE. Rough to the touch but macroscopically even. The scattered oscules are 

1.5-3 mm in diameter. They are often raised slightly above the surface. Numerous 

zoanthids are usually present on the surface. 

ECTOSOME. NO dermal specialization. The internal fibers subdivide repeatedly near 

the surface where they end in non-plumose tufts. 

ENDOSOME. A coarse fibroreticulation with rectangular meshes, 100-350 /x in width. 

The fibers are 25-235 ^ in diameter. They consist of numerous, closely packed rows of 

spicules cemented by a varying amount of spongin. Some megascleres are scattered in the 

flesh. Microscleres were absent in five analyzed specimens but abundant in the sixth. 

SPICULES, (a) Robust oxeas, nearly straight or slightly curved, 182-276 x 5-18 p. The 

abruptly narrowed ends are sometimes rounded or irregular in outline. A varied number 

of megascleres are really styles or strongyles. The latter are often only 150 /n in length. 

A few abnormal spicules in all six specimens have a short, oblique spine or ray near 

one end. (b) Sigmas, in one specimen, 13-17 X 1 ft- 

Individual analyses, length in microns: 

Oxeas (50) Styles (25) 

182-258 176-234 

200-258 182-234 

211-269 182-246 

199-264 194-234 

211-252 182-234 

217-276 present 

Strongyles (25) 

188-217 

152-264 

146-211 

164-176 

176-234 

present 

Sigmas 

none 

none 

none 

none 

none 

13-17 (,25) 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: North Carolina—de Laubenfels, 1947, p. 37 

(as Haliclona excelsa), Wells et al., 1960, p. 207; Puerto Rico—Wilson, 1902a, p. 392 (as 

Pachychalina areolata). 

DISCUSSION. In form, architecture and oxea size the Jamaican sponge is very similar 

to Pachychalina areolata Wilson (1902a, p. 392) of Puerto Rico. Wilson found no sigmas 

in his species, and I have found none in a slide prepared from his type. They were 

lacking in 5 or 6 Jamaican sponges. Puerto Rican sponges in the Yale Peabody Museum, 

which are certainly conspecific with the Jamaican ones, do have a varied number of thin 

sigmas. (W. D. Hartman, personal communication). Wells et al. (1960, p. 207) have


attributed a North Carolina sponge, lacking microscleres, to Wilson's species. Their 

specimen is also similar to the Jamaican one in architecture and megasclere size. Wells 

et al. list Pachychalina millepora Verrill (1907, p. 336) as a synonym. Verrill's species and 

the Puerto Rican Pachychalina aurantiaca (Lendenfeld) of Wilson (1902a, p. 393) are 

certainly closely related to, if not conspecific with, the present species. 

FAMILY ADOCIIDAE de Laubenfels, 1934 

A simple megasclere complement, with diactinal spicules. Microscleres are often 

present and may include sigmas, chelas, toxas and raphides. A distinct tangential dermal 

skeleton is present. The architecture is reticulate. 

De Laubenfels (1936a) placed the Adociidae in the order Poecilosclerida despite their 

lack of spicule specialization. De Laubenfels himself had pointed out the close relationship 

of the adociids with the haplosclerid sponges. Many adociid genera can be distinguished 

from haliclonid or desmacidonid genera only by the greater development of 

a dermal skeleton. Species with an intermediate type of architecture, such as the Jamaican 

Sigmadocia caerulea, are known in many such cases. The Adociidae, indeed, are probably 

a heterogeneous group. They can be provisionally maintained as a family, at least for 

convenience, within the order Haplosclerida. Levi (1958) has also commented on the 

similarities between the adociids and haplosclerids of de Laubenfels* classification. 

GENUS ADOCIA Gray 

Adocia carbonaria (Lamarck) new combination 

(Plate III, figs. 2, 3) 

Spongia carbonaria Lamarck, 1813, p. 375 (type: American seas; Mus. nat. Hist. nat. 

Paris.) 

Thalysias carbonaria, Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 83. 

Pachychalina carbonaria, Arndt, 1927, p. 152. 

Phloeodictyon carbonaria, Topsent, 1930, p. 26. 

[non] Pellina carbonaria, de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 68; idem, 1954a, p. 102; idem, 1955, 

p. 139. 

Thalysias proxima Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 84 (fide Arndt, 1927.) 

HABITAT. The species is common in the turtle grass bed at Drunkenman's Cay. It also 

occurs in a similar habitat at Dunn's River on the North Coast of Jamaica. 

SHAPE. Thick incrustations or repent branches. The incrusting examples are 2-3 cm 

in thickness. The branches, always solid, are 0.5-1.5 cm in diameter. 

COLOR. The living sponges are entirely black. When dried or preserved they become 

a very dark brown. Alcohol becomes blue-black when the sponge is placed in it. 

CONSISTENCY. Brittle and easily crumbled even when alive. 

SURFACE. Smooth to the touch, but uneven. The oscules are 1-3 mm in diameter. They 

are scattered over the surface in both incrusting and branching specimens. Many oscules 

are the apertures of exhalant canals which extend straight downwards into the sponge. 

The oscules may be flush with the surface, or raised on low volcano-shaped elevations. 

Although the skin is easily detachable, macroscopic subdermal spaces are not present. 

ECTOSOME. The dermal membrane is supported by a three- to four-sided spicule network. 

The meshes are generally unispicular but occasionally have two or three spicules 

on a side. The interstices contain one to several dermal pores which are 30-75 p in diameter. 

Small quantities of spongin are present at the nodes* Spicules sometimes join a 

node at their mid-length. Numerous pigment cells, 7 p in diameter, are present in both 

the ectosome and interior. 

ENDOSOME. The interior has a largely unispicular network, with some but not all of 

the spicules bound by spongin nodes. The skeleton also includes an irregular reticulation 

of spicule tracts, which are 30-45 p in diameter. 

SPICULES. Oxeas, mostly curved, 176 x 246 X 3-9 p. The ends may be rounded, mucronate, 

or slightly stair-stepped. The stair-stepped spicules may have truncate ends. A few 

styles and strongyles are present. The developmental stages are curved, fusiform oxeas.


Individual analyses, lengths in microns, 50 spicules each: Oxeas, 199-229; 176-246; 

188-234. 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: Lamarck, 1813, p. 375 (as Spongia carbonaria); 

Lesser Antilles—Guadeloupe, St. Croix, St. Barthelemy, St. Thomas—Duchassaing 

and Michelotti, 1864, p. 83 (as Thalysias carbonaria); St. Thomas—Duchassaing and 

Michelotti, 1864, p. 84 (as Thalysias proximo); Curasao—Arndt, 1927, p. 152 (as Pachychalina 

carbonaria). 

DISCUSSION. In spicule shape the present specimens are somewhat similar to the black 

Pellina carbonaria studied by de Laubenfels (1936a, p. 66) in the Dry Tortugas. That 

sponge often grew in sand, with only its long oscular projections protruding above the 

surface. He considered it to be conspecific with Spongia carbonaria Lamarck but later 

(1954a, p. 107) expressed some reservations about the identification. The spicules of the 

Dry Tortugas sponges are smaller than those of either the Jamaican sponge or of Lamarck's 

specimen. In addition the spicule was described as "fundamentally a strongyle," 

with the ends "sometimes provided with caps of successively smaller diameter." 

De Laubenfels' sponge differs further from the present specimen in having a dermal 

skeleton of irregularly strewn spicules and subdermal spaces. It was described as being 

very dark green rather than black. The consistency was said to be delicately elastic and 

easily torn, rather than stiff. De Laubenfels, who paid close attention to color changes 

in alcohol, made no mention of any blue-black exudate. The oscules were clearly of the 

Pellina type. It could be that the delicate projections were suppressed in the Jamaican 

sponges, which were indeed subject to considerable surf. The presence of delicate, stiff, 

slender branches in the Jamaican specimens weighs against such a conclusion. The 

numerous differences strongly suggest that the Dry Tortugas sponge is not conspecific 

with the Jamaican. 

Pellina carbonaria (Lamarck) as reported from the central Pacific by de Laubenfels 

(1954a, p. 102) does have large spicules but also has oscular chimneys and lacks a blueblack 

exudate. Its relationship to the sponges of the Dry Tortugas and Jamaican is 

uncertain. 

The poorly preserved type of Spongia carbonaria Lamarck has been restudied by 

Topsent (1930). It bore no trace of oscular projections. Its curious system of cavities and 

lamellae may be the result of drying. The oxeas had abrupt but not stair-stepped points. 

They were similar in length to those of the Jamaican specimens. Duchassaing and 

Michelotti's Thalysias carbonaria resembles the Jamaican specimens in shape and color. 

No information is available on its spiculation. Arndt's sponges from Curasao are probably 

conspecific with the Jamaican ones. His specimens had a similar shape, color, 

dermal skeleton and spicule size range. The tracts of the main skeleton were somewhat 

better developed. The spicules often had wedge-shaped points but apparently were not 

stair-stepped. 

The Jamaican specimens are somewhat doubtfully considered to be conspecific with 

those of Lamarck, Arndt, and Duchassaing and Michelotti. The lack of oscular tubes 

places the species in the genus Adocia. 

Adocia implexiformis n. sp. 

(Text-fig. 2; Plate II, fig. 2) 

Fig. 2. —Spicules of Adocia implexiformis. Oxeas. YPM 5034. Holotype. 

HOLOTYPE. YPM 5034, Mangrove boat channel, Jan. 25, 1961. 

HABITAT. Abundant on mangrove roots.


SHAPE. Thick-walled, cylindrical oscular projections arise from the base. They are 

typically 2-4 cm in height and 1-2 cm in diameter. Adjacent oscular lobes may be fused 

laterally. Slender, solid projections, 0.5-1 cm in height, and 2-3 mm in diameter, are 

often present on distal parts of the sponge. 

COLOR. The living sponge is a dull purple, devoid of any reddish tinge. The sponges 

are drab in alcohol. 

CONSISTENCY. The sponge retains its shape when removed from water. It is compressible 

but very easily crumbled. 

SURFACE. Even. The oscules are 2-10 mm in diameter. They are the openings of 

elongate axial cavities in the oscular lobes. 

ECTOSOME. A detachable dermal membrane is present. It is supported by a tangential, 

isodictyal, largely unispicular network of oxeas. Spongin is present at the nodes. The 

three- to four-sided meshes contain closely-spaced ostia which are 12-35 ^ in diameter. A 

few large subdermal spaces are present. 

ENDOSOME. A spicular network similar to that of the ectosome. The meshes occasionally 

have 2 or 3 rows of spicules on a side but long tracts are absent. 

SPICULES. Oxeas, straight to slightly curved, 129-182 X 5-10 /*. Thin, sharp-pointed 

developmental stages are present. The mature spicules have blunt ends, and a few are 

styles and strongyles. The ends of many oxeas are narrow, but rounded, rather than 

sharp-pointed. Individual analyses, lengths in microns, 50 spicules each: 145-174; 145- 

182*; 137-181; 129-179. 

DISCUSSION. In form, the present species resembles the heterogeneous assemblage of 

sponges attributed to Haliclona implexa (Schmidt). The sponges assigned to the latter 

species lack a special dermal skeleton. A. chilensis (Thiele, 1905) of Chile also has oscular 

projections. It differs from the Jamaican species in having strongly strongylote spicules, 

spicule tracts and well-developed subdermal cavities. A. grossa (Schmidt), as recorded by 

Topsent (1925a) from Naples, is similar in form and spicule range to the present species. 

It differs in having an uneven surface and multispicular tracts. The Philippine projection-bearing 

A. baeri (Wilson, 1925) de Laubenfels, 1935b, has a tuberculate surface, dark 

color and small oxeas. A. tub if era (George and Wilson, 1919) Hartman, 1958, of North 

Carolina has small oscular projections on anastomosing branches. The skeleton includes 

spongin fibers. 

Adocia albifragilis n. sp. 

(Text-fig. 3) 

Fig. 3. —Spicules of Adocia albifragilis. Oxeas. YPM 5035. Holotype. 

HOLOTYPE. YPM 5035. Drunkenman's Cay, June 24, 1961. 

HABITAT. Under rocks at the cays, in a few feet of water. 

SHAPE. Thin crusts, reaching a maximum thickness of 2-3 mm. 

COLOR. The living sponge is white. It is pale, nearly white in alcohol. 

CONSISTENCY. Compressible, but easily torn. 

SURFACE. Even. Under a magnification of 14 x, the surface appears micro tuberculate 

but not hispid. The oscules are about 2 mm in diameter and flush with the surface. 

ECTOSOME. The surface has a tangential network closely connected to the skeleton of 

the interior. No large subdermal spaces are present. The sides of the skeletal network 

may consist of single spicules or several loosely arranged spicules. Compact tracts do not 

occur. Small amounts of spongin are present at the nodes. A node may include as many 

50// 

I


as 10-12 spicules. The meshes are thus often much less than a spicule length in maximum 

width. Only a few dermal pores, 20-40 ^ in diameter, were detected. 

ENDOSOME. The internal skeleton is similar to that of the dermal layer. Most, if not 

all, of the spicules are bound into the network. 

SPICULES. Oxeas, thin, straight to slightly curved, 145-174 x 3-5 p. The points may 

be fusiform, hastate or mucronate. Many spicules are narrow but rounded at the ends. 

A small minority of spicules are styles or strongyles. Their rounded ends are frequently 

narrow. Individual analyses, length in microns, 50 spicules each: 145-174; 145-163*. 

DISCUSSION. The sponge is characterized by the presence of long thin spicules which 

are very often blunt. The frequent occurrence of nodes with many spicules is also noteworthy. 

Adocia neens (Topsent, 1918), reported for the West Indies by de Laubenfels (1936a), 

also has thin blunt spicules. Its spicules are smaller than in my specimen and are mostly 

strongylote. The dermis in A. neens has a conspicuous protoplasmic as well as spicular 

network. 

GENUS PELLINA Schmidt 

Pellina coeliformis n. sp. 

(Text-fig. 4; plate III, fig. 1) 

Fig. 4. —Spicules of Pellina coeliformis. Oxeas. YPM 5036. Holotype. 


HABITAT. The species is abundant in the Kingston Port Royal boat channel. It frequently 

grows on the surface of Geodia gibberosa. 

SHAPE. The sponge consists of an incrusting base, several millimeters in thickness, 

from which arise paper-thin oscular tubes. The tubes are usually 3-5 cm in height and 

several millimeters in diameter. A few specimens have wider oscular projections. The 

tubes occasionally branch near the base. 

COLOR. In life, the basal region is a pale off-white color, while the tubes are white. 

In alcohol the base becomes beige and the tubes semi-transparent. 

CONSISTENCY. The base is slightly compressible. The tubes are bendable but easily torn. 

SURFACE. Smooth, even. Longitudinal tracts are visible to the unaided eye in the tube 

walls. 

ECTOSOME. Little dermal specialization. The outermost layer is a tangential, largely 

unispicular, three- or four-sided network. Small quantities of spongin are present at the 

nodes. The dermal pores are 15-35 ^ in diameter. The dermal layer grades into the main 

skeleton, and can be detached only with difficulty. No large subdermal spaces are present. 

ENDOSOME. The tubes are supported by numerous longitudinal spicule bundles, 30- 

80 n> in diameter, which occasionally branch and anastomose. Adjacent bundles are 

75-200 JJL apart. They are crossed by connective fibers, 20-35 fx in diameter, which are 

often obliquely oriented. The internal skeleton also includes a unispicular network, 

similar to that of the surface. The basal skeleton has a less regular arrangement. It includes 

spicule bundles, scattered spicules and, in places, a unispicular network. 

SPICULES. Oxeas, usually slightly curved and rather abruptly pointed, 117-158 X 5-7 /x. 

Less robust developmental forms are also present. Individual analyses, lengths in microns, 

50 spicules each: 123-158; 117-146; 123-152; 117-152; 117-146; 117-146; 123-145*. 

DISCUSSION. TWO species of Pellina have been recorded previously from the West


Indies. P. carbonaria (Lamarck) as described by de Laubenfels from Dry Tortugas is a 

black sponge with larger oxeas and a network of subdermal canals. The white P. coela 

de Laubenfels (1950a) of Bermuda differs from the Jamaican sponges by its smaller 

spicules and less robust spicule tracts. The type species of Pellina, P. semitubulosa, described 

from the Mediterranean, is also white in color. The Adriatic specimens studied 

by Babic (1922) and Keller (1878) do have spicules similar in size to those of my specimens. 

Topsent's Mediterranean specimen, however, has more robust oxeas and a second 

category of small ectosomal microxeas. He reported an extensive network of subdermal 

canals in the basal regions of his material. Schmidt (1862, 1870) and Topsent both 

emphasized the presence of a well-developed, easily detachable skin in their specimens. 

The Jamaican sponge, by contrast, has a closely adherent dermal skeleton. 

A 

GENUS SIGMADOCIA de Laubenfels 

Sigmadocia caerulea n. sp. 

(Text-fig. 5; plate III, fig. 4) 

50// 

Fig. 5. —Spicules of Sigmadocia caerulea. A. Oxea. B. Sigmas. YPM 5037. Holotype. 

HOLOTYPE. YPM 5037. Rasta's wreck. July 19, 1959. 

HABITAT. Common on pilings and mangrove roots on the outside of the Port Royal 

mangrove thicket. Sponges of similar appearance were collected at Drunkenman's Cay in 

a sandy turtle grass bed. 

SHAPE. The base is thickly incrusting to massive. Many of the oscules, particularly in 

the Port Royal specimens, are at the apex of cylindrical to volcano-shaped projections 

ivhich may be several centimeters in height. The projections have axial cloacae and thick 

-walls. 

COLOR. Both the surface and the interior are light blue in the living sponge. The 

specimens become beige to drab in alcohol. 

CONSISTENCY. The Port Royal specimens are soft but very easily broken. The specimens 

from Drunkenman's Cay are heavily penetrated by coarse algal strands. They are 

stiff to somewhat compressible. 

SURFACE. The oscules may be as much as 5 mm in diameter. The surface, while even, 

varies from smooth to rough. Some areas of the sponge, particularly on the base, have 

a detachable dermal layer. 

ECTOSOME. Parts of the sponge are covered by a tangential, largely unispicular network. 

The three- or four-sided network is bound by small amounts of spongin at the 

nodes. Several dermal pores may be inclosed within a mesh. Typical pore sizes are 

20 X 17, 12 X 20, and 27 X 24 ^. Small subdermal spaces may be present. In other 

regions, the architecture is of the haliclonid type, with spicules projecting beyond the 

surface. 

ENDOSOME. A rather confused pattern of vague tracts, scattered spicules and a largely 

unispicular spongin-bound network. In the Port Royal specimens, sigmas are abundant 

throughout the sponge. Much of the interior of the cay sponges is occupied by algae. 

Sigmas are exceedingly rare, even in algae-free portions. 

SPICULES, (a) Oxeas, slightly curved, fusiform to wedge-shaped, 117-200 X 5-9 p. Port 

Royal specimens, 128-200 x 5-9 /A- Cay specimens, 117-177 x 3-5 /*,. Thinner develop-


mental forms are common. A few styles of similar size occur, (b) Sigmas, thin, often 

sharply curved in the middle, with the ends nearly in one plane, 13-28 JU,. Individual 

analyses, lengths in microns: 

Oxeas 

143-200 (50)* 

164-199 (50) 

128-182 (50) 

140-182 (50) 

140-188 (50) 

137-188 (50) 

145-188 (50) 

Port Royal Specimens 

Cay Specimens 

Sigmas 

17-23 (25)* 

22-25 (25) 

20-26 (25) 



15-20 (25) 

15-26 (25) 

117-177 (50) 12-20 (20) 

123-158 (50) 13-20 (25) 

117-170 (50) 15-20 (25) 

DISCUSSION. The varied development of a tangential dermal skeleton in this species 

indicates the close relationship of Sigmadocia and Gellius. The cay specimens are provisionally 

considered as conspecific with those of Port Royal. The type specimen is a 

sponge collected at Port Royal. The two lots of material agree in color and architecture. 

Oscular projections are, at best, weakly developed in the cay sponges which, however, 

grew in an area subject to considerable wave action. The cay sponges have thinner oxeas. 

The presence of rare sigmas similar in shape to those of the inshore specimens provides 

the best evidence of conspecificity. 

The species is noteworthy for its blue color and sharply curved sigmas. In spicule 

size, it is similar to some of the sponges attributed to Gellius fibulatus (Schmidt, 1862). 

Schmidt's original description provides little information on his species. The sponge 

photographed by Topsent (1925a) has a coarsely porous surface quite unlike that of my 

specimens. The sponge reported from Israel by LeVi (1957) differs from mine in having 

curious sigmas with a series of bends. Babic's specimens (1922), recorded as Gelliodes 

fibulata (Schmidt), had well-developed spongin fibers. 

FAMILY CALLYSPONGIIDAE de Laubenfels, 1936a 

GENUS CALLYSPONGIA Duchassaing and Michelotti 

Callyspongia fallax Duchassaing and Michelotti 

(Plate IV, fig. 2) 

Callyspongia fallax Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 57 [type: St. Thomas; Brit. Mus. 

(Nat. Hist.) reg. no. 28.11.12.5]; Burton, 1934, p. 539; de Laubenfels, 1949, p. 13. 

HABITAT. Several specimens were collected in 10-15 feet of water near Maiden Cay. 

One was growing on the side of a Verongia fistularis, while the others were on coral 

masses. 

SHAPE. The sponge consists of a single, solid cylindrical branch, or an anastomosing 

group of such branches. The specimens range in length from 7-21 cm. The branches vary 

in diameter and also in outline along their length. They are usually 0.5-1.5 cm in width. 

A single specimen widens at one end to enclose a short vertical channel which is open 

at both ends. The cavity is lined by a smooth skin resembling that of the rest of the 

surface. It is occupied by a small crustacean and is certainly not a cloaca. 

COLOR. In life, the sponges are a dull purple. In alcohol, they become grayish-brown 

with or without traces of the original purple color. 

CONSISTENCY. Compressible. 

SURFACE. Smooth to the touch. The skin is even over wide areas of the surface. In


places, particularly distally, it is lifted into thorn-like conules, 2-4 mm high. Adjacent 

conules may be several millimeters or several centimeters apart. The oscules are usually 

scattered along the branches but may be sub-linear. They are 2-3 mm in diameter. Several 

exhalant canals open into each. 

ECTOSOME. An intergrading double network of spiculiferous spongin fibers. The coarse 

fibers have a diameter of 15-60 ju and contain 1-6 rows of spicules. They form an irregularly 

polygonal network, with parallel fibers 100-300 /x apart. The coarse mesh grades 

into a network of slender unispicular fibers which are 3-8 ^ in diameter. The fine meshes 

are usually less than a spicule length in width. 

ENDOSOME. The skeleton consists of uni- to multispicular spongin fibers, which are 

15-115 [A, but most frequently 30-60 JJL in diameter. The spicules may form a continuous 

core or may be spaced along the fiber. The nodes of fiber intersection are multispicular 

expansions, 70-115 ^ in diameter. Near the surface endosomal fibers run into the dermal 

mesh. The endosomal interstices are 100-300 fx in diameter and frequently rounded in 

outline. They contain scattered spicules similar in size and form to those of the fibers. 

SPICULES. Oxeas, straight to very slightly curved, with hastate or eroded points, 58- 

130 X 3-7 /A. The erosion may extend as far back as 2 diameters from the tip. Some 

spicules have low irregular swellings in mid-shaft. Individual analyses, lengths in microns, 

50 spicules each: 58-123; 70-130; 70-130. 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: Bahamas—de Laubenfels, 1949, p. 13; 

St. Thomas—Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 57. 

DISCUSSION. The Jamaican solid, cylindrical, lavender Callyspongia is similar in appearance 

and architecture to the Bahaman sponges attributed by de Laubenfels to 

Callyspongia fallax. The spicules of my specimens, however, while small, are certainly 

not minute. Although C. fallax is the type-species of a large genus, little information 

is available on its structure. Duchassaing and Michelotti (1864) merely recorded specimens 

which, in their opinion, were conspecific with the unrecognizable Spongia papillaris 

of earlier authors. They established the name C. fallax, claiming that the name C. 

papillaris was preoccupied. Burton (1934) selected Duchassaing and Michelotti's specimen 

as the type of Callyspongia fallax. The type has been reexamined by Burton and 

probably by de Laubenfels as well. To my knowledge, neither author has published a 

detailed description of the sponge. Burton characterized the genus Callyspongia by its 

double dermal network, but curiously proceeded to emphasize the lack of such differentiation 

in the type-species, C. fallax. 

Burton's taxonomic summary (1934) cannot be accepted on the basis of published 

information. He rejects body form and spicule complement as valid specific criteria in 

the genus but does not present detailed evidence in support of this viewpoint. Judging 

from de Laubenfels' 1949 discussion, the type of C. fallax is solid and cylindrical. Burton 

could find no toxas in it. He considers Callyspongia eschrichtii Duchassaing and Michelotti, 

and Patuloscula procumbens Carter as synonyms of C. fallax, although he found 

toxiform spicules in them. In addition, both supposed synonyms are tubular or partially 

tubular sponges. Whatever the status of Duchassaing and Michelotti's Tuba scrobiculata, 

the species was established by Lamarck, whose material has been re-examined by Topsent, 

(1932). Callyspongia scrobiculata (Lamarck), a synonym of C. plicifera (Lamarck), can be 

distinguished from C. fallax by its tubular form, internal architecture, and strongylote 

spicules. Ceraochalina vanderhorsti Arndt, 1927, also included in the synonymy, is again 

basically tubular. The Jamaican sponges are clearly not conspecific with Arndt's species, 

from which they differ in having larger oxeas, a solid form and an abundance of spicules 

in the dermal network. 

Callyspongia vaginalis (Lamarck) de Laubenfels 

Spongia vaginalis Lamarck, 1813, p. 436 [type: American seas; Mus. nat. Hist. nat. Paris.] 

Tuba vaginalis, Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 52. 

Callyspongia vaginalis, de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 56; idem, 1949, p. 14; idem, 1950a, p. 56; 

idem, 1953a, p. 523; Wells et al., 1960, p. 210; Little, 1963, p. 41. 

[non] Callyspongia vaginalis, de Laubenfels, 1939, p. 2.


Tuba sororia Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 46 (fide de Laubenfels, 1936a); Carter, 

1884, p. 204. 

Spinosella sororia, Vosmaer, 1886, p. 342; Dendy, 1887d, p. 503; idem, 1890, p. 360; 

Wilson, 1902a, p. 394; Verrill, 1907, p. 334; Arndt, 1927, p. 155; Topsent, 1931, p. 75. 

[non] Spinosella sororia, Row, 1911, p. 326. 

HABITAT. Common on corals in 10-15 feet of water offshore from the cays. 

SHAPE. The sponge may be a single, cylindrical tube or, more frequently, a group of 

such tubes. The tubes have an even to jagged cloacal (oscular?) orifice, but never a papyraceous 

collar. The tubes are 1-3, occasionally 5 cm in diameter, and 5-15 cm in length. 

The width is rather uniform along the length of the tube. None of the specimens is a 

flaring vase. The walls are only a few millimeters in thickness. The cavities of adjacent 

tubes are often confluent at the base of the sponge. 

COLOR. The sponge is dull purple in life. In alcohol it retains much of its original 

color. 


SURFACE. The outer surface can vary between smooth and uneven along a tube. The 

elevations involve considerable areas of the surface. The inner wall has numerous openings, 

0.5-1 mm in diameter, and longitudinal ribs. 

ECTOSOME. A well-developed callyspongiid double network of spongin fibers. The 

coarse fibers are mostly 20-30 /m in diameter and contain 2-4 rows of spicules. They outline 

irregularly polygonal spaces, 100-450 ^ in maximum width. The more symmetrical, finer 

network encloses apertures only a spicule or two in width. The fibers are 5-15 jn in diameter. 

They have a unispicular, usually spaced, core of oxeas. In the ectosome, the spicules 

are confined to the fibers. The cloacal surface has a coarse fiber network, which is condensed 

at the ribs into anastomosing, interwoven columns. 

ENDOSOME. The skeleton is formed by a reticulation of spongin fibers 15-75 ^ (mostly 

30-45 ju,) in diameter. All fibers have abundant spongin and most have a continuous core 

of several rows of spicules. Even large fibers may have only single, separated spicules 

over part of their length. The meshes are often nearly rectangular, with parallel fibers 

70-300 /x apart. A considerable number of spicules, mostly thin, are scattered in the flesh. 

The dermal network is supported by ascending fibers and often overlies subdermal 

cavities. 

SPICULES. Oxeas, 76-131 X 2-5 p. The spicules may be elongate and slightly curved, or 

short, straight and conspicuously hastate. The points are sometimes eroded. Individual 

analyses, lengths in microns, 50 spicules each: 83-123; 80-131; 76-123. 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: American Seas—Lamarck, 1813, p. 436 (as 

Spongia vaginalis); North Carolina—Wells et al., 1960, p. 210; Florida—Carter, 1884, p. 

204 (as Tuba sororia); Dry Tortugas, Florida—de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 56; West Coast, 

Florida—de Laubenfels, 1953a, p. 523; West Coast, Florida—Little, 1963, p. 41; Bermuda— 

Verrill, 1907, p. 334 (as Spinosella sororia) and de Laubenfels, 1950a, p. 56; Bahamas— 

Dendy, 1887d, p. 503; 1890, p. 360 (as Spinosella sororia), and de Laubenfels, 1949, p. 14; 

Puerto Rico—Wilson, 1902a, p. 324 (as Spinosella sororia); Lesser Antilles: Guadalupe, St. 

Thomas, St. Croix, Viecques, Tortola—Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 52 (as Tuba 

vaginalis); St. Thomas, Viecques—Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 46 (as Tuba 

sororia); Curasao—Arndt, 1927, p. 155 (as Spinosella sororia). Tropical Pacific America: 

Galapagos Is.—de Laubenfels, 1939, p. 2 (?). 

DISCUSSION. Lamarck's specimen has been restudied by both Topsent (1932) and de 

Laubenfels (1936a). The spicules of Jamaican specimens are rather robust for the species. 

Published data indicate that there is considerable variation in the size and abundance 

of the spicules. The fiber size of the Jamaican specimens agrees closely with that given 

in previous descriptions. 

The records of Duchassaing and Michelotti, Carter, and Verrill require verification. 

The two non-West Indian records are both very dubious. De Laubenfels' identification 

of the Galapagos Callyspongia was only tentative, since the specimen "does not agree 

well with ordinary examples of vaginalis." (1939, p. 2) Unfortunately, no other data were


provided. The Red Sea sponge studied by Row certainly differs from typical specimens 

of the West Indian C. vaginalis in interior structure. It had strong multispicular primary 

fibers, containing 10-20 rows of spicules, and delicate, unispicular secondary fibers. 

De Laubenfels (1950a, p. 57) placed Siphonochalina stolonifera Whitfield, 1901, of 

Bermuda into synonymy with C. vaginalis. Whitfield, however, described the spicules of 

his sponge as cylindrical, which may mean strongylote. Schmidt's Siphonchalina papyracea 

(1870), often considered as a synonym of C. vaginalis, was described as having strongylote 

spicules ("umspitzigen nadeln"). Since a strongylote vase-shaped species, Callyspongia 

plicifera, occurs in the West Indies, the two cannot safely be taken as synonyms of 

C. vaginalis. 

Callyspongia plicifera (Lamarck) de Laubenfels 

(Plate IV, fig. 1) 

Spongia plicifera Lamarck, 1813, p. 435 [type: American seas (?); Mus. nat. Hist. nat. 

Paris.] 

Tuba plicifera, Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 53; Schmidt, 1870, p. 29; Carter, 

1882, p. 365. 

Spinosella plicifera, Dendy, 1887d, p. 506; idem, 1890, p. 365; Topsent, 1932, p. 73. 

Callyspongia plicifera, de Laubenfels, 1950a, p. 61. 

[non] Patuloscula plicifera, de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 57 (fide de Laubenfels, 1950a, p. 61.) 

Spongia scrobiculata Lamarck, 1813, p. 436. 

Tuba scrobiculata, Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 53. 

Spinosella scrobiculata, Topsent, 1932, p. 74. 

Spinosella maxima Dendy, 1887d, p. 506; idem, 1890, p. 365. 

HABITAT. Growing on coral masses in 10-15 feet of water offshore from the cays. 

SHAPE. The sponge may be a single tube or a cluster of tubes. The individual tubes 

may be cylindrical or, more' frequently, vase-shaped. Small hollow, open buds are often 

present on the outside, and in one exceptional case, on the inside of the tube. The 

sponges are typically 10-30 cm in height. The cloacal (oscular?) orifice seldom has a 

diameter of less than 5 cm. In vase-shaped examples, the maximum diameter may exceed 

the length of the sponge. The walls are only a few millimeters in thickness. 

COLOR. A dull purple in life. In alcohol, the sponge may be a purplish or a dull 

yellow, or a mixture of the two colors. Dried specimens are beige. 


SURFACE. The surface becomes even toward the distal end. The terminus has a thin 

margin, in which a fiber reticulation is visible to the unaided eye. In some specimens, 

ribs composed of longitudinal fibers project beyond the general level of the cloacal 

terminus. The margin may be only a few millimeters or as much as several centimeters in 

length. The remainder of the surface may vary between uneven and strongly uneven on 

a single specimen. Many specimens are covered with broad blunt elevations which often 

grade into longitudinal or horizontal ridges. The elevations are several millimeters in 

height. The inner surface is even and pierced by numerous small oscules. 

ECTOSOME. An intergrading double network of spongin fibers which are mostly unispicular. 

The finer fibers are 15-30 ^ in diameter. They enclose meshes which are frequently 

150-300 fx in maximum width. Coarse fibers are typically 40-150 ^ in diameter, 

with parallel fibers often more than 0.5 mm apart. The longitudinal fibers of the top 

margin and fibrous projections are stout (70-225 fi in diameter) and frequently multispicular. 

In the latter case, the spicules form an axial core. The primaries are joined by 

less robust connectives and also by thin fibers similar to those of the endosome. 

ENDOSOME. The main skeleton is a wide-meshed, rounded to polygonal network of 

spongin fibers. The fibers are 40-90 ^ or occasionally as much as 300 ^ in diameter. They 

may be unispicular, or have a multispicular axial core. The spicules may be spaced, or they 

may form a continuous line. A very irregular finer mesh joins the main skeleton and is 

often interwoven with it. Its fibers are 15-30 JJL in diameter and contain spaced single 

spicules.


SPICULES. Strongyles, truncate, straight to somewhat curved or bent, 53-100 X 1-2 JJL. 

Individual analyses, lengths in microns, 50 spicules each: 67-97; 63-100; 68-86; 53-91. 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: American Seas—Lamarck, 1813, p. 435 (as 

Spongia plicifera); Florida—Schmidt, 1870, p. 29 (as Tuba plicifera); Bahamas—Dendy, 

1887d, p. 506; 1890, p. 365 (as Spinosella plicifera), Dendy, 1887d, p. 506; 1890, p. 365 

(as Spinosella maxima); Antilles—Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 53 (as Tuba 

plicifera), Schmidt, 1870, p. 29 (as Tuba plicifera); Jamaica—Dendy, 1887d, p. 506, 1890, 

p. 365 (as Spinosella maxima); Lesser Antilles, St. Thomas, Tortole, Guadeloupe— 

Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 53 (as Tuba scrobiculata), Grenada—Carter, 1882, 

p. 365 (as Tuba plicifera), 

DISCUSSION. The Jamaican specimens are similar in architecture and spiculation to 

Spongia scrobiculata Lamarck, as redescribed by Topsent. Burton (1934, p. 539) attributed 

that species to Duchassaing and Michelotti and considered it as a synonym of 

Callyspongia fallax. Their specimen of scrobiculata was described as tubular, and thus is 

unlikely to be conspecific with C. fallax. Spongia scrobiculata and S. plicifera Lamarck 

have been treated as closely related species by Lamarck, Duchassaing and Michelotti, and 

Topsent. The latter species is characterized by well-developed, largely horizontal folds 

and grooves. According to Topsent (1932) spicules are absent in the type. S. scrobiculata 

also has surface convolutions which outline deep fossae in Lamarck's specimens. Topsent 

found thin strongylote spicules in the fibers of the fossa-bearing specimens. He also 

found strongyles in a specimen (photographed by Topsent, 1932, plate 2, figure 4) which 

Lamarck had assigned to Spongia plicifera. The specimen has low, irregular to horizontal 

folds, making it very similar to my material. Topsent considered the sponge to be an 

example of scrobiculata, using the presence or absence of spicules as a distinguishing 

characteristic. 

A collection of Cuban specimens (CU-6, CU-6A-E) on loan to the Yale Peabody Museum 

from the U. S. National Museum strongly suggests that the two species are actually 

conspecific. The dried Cuban sponges are a pale beige in color. They have a thin distal 

margin as in the Jamaican sponges. On the basis of surface folds and depressions all of 

the Cuban specimens must be assigned to Callyspongia plicifera. CU-6C, for example, is 

identical in appearance with the specimens of plicifera figured by Dendy and by Duchassaing 

and Michelotti. The surface lamellae are well-developed in all and are almost entirely 

horizontal in CU-6C. The folds become irregular and meandriform over part or 

most of the surface in CU-6B and CU-6. Strongly convoluted Jamaican specimens certainly 

approach that condition. 

Strongylote spicules of 2 p, diameter are present in all of the Cuban examples. They 

are similar in shape and size to those of the Jamaican sponges. For example, a sample of 

50 spicules in CU-6 varied in length between 68 and 94 p. Topsent, Schmidt, and Dendy 

were unable to find spicules in their examples of C. plicifera. Carter, however, reported 

very thin acerate spicules, 72 /x in length, for his Grenada specimen. The Cuban specimens 

have a skeletal pattern quite comparable to that found in the Jamaican sponges. 

The surface is made up of a coarse double network. The main skeleton of the interior is 

constructed of stout spongin fibers (35-150 ^ in diameter). They may contain only single 

spicules or a multispicular axial core. Several of the specimens (CU-6A, CU-6E) have fewer 

spicules than the Jamaican sponges. The main skeleton is joined at intervals by a very 

irregular network of fine fibers. The latter are only about 15 ^ in diameter and contain 

very few spicules. Dendy (1890) reported a similar network in his specimens of plicifera. 

In summary, the Jamaican and Cuban specimens differ only in the extent to which the 

surface is thrown into horizontal convolutions. 

Spinosella maxima Dendy, 1887d, is very probably conspecific with Callyspongia 

plicifera. The outer surface is uneven except for a thin distal margin. The interior 

skeleton had the same pattern as in plicifera, including an irregular network of delicate 

fibers. Spicules were said to be absent from the Bahaman examples, but thin vestigial 

oxeas were reported for a Jamaican specimen. 

Siphonochalina papyracea Schmidt, 1870, often considered as a synonym of Callyspongia 

vaginalis, is more likely to prove to be conspecific with C. plicifera. The external


appearance is certainly similar, and the spicules, described as "umspitzigen nadeln," are 

apparently strongylote. 

Callyspongia pallida n. sp. 

Fig. 6. —Spicules of Callyspongia pallida. Oxeas, style, strongyle. YPM 5038. Holotype. 

HOLOTYPE. YPM 5038. Seawall of Police Post. November 30, 1960. 

HABITAT. The specimen was collected on the seawall of the Police Post at Port Royal 

in several feet of water. 

SHAPE. The sponge is a horizontally spreading complex of lobes. The lobes are 1.5-2 

cm in height and have apical oscules. Connecting stems are about 1 cm long and 0.5-1 cm 

in diameter. 

COLOR. The sponge was dull yellow in life and is a pale beige in alcohol. 

CONSISTENCY. Compressible, soft, elastic. 

SURFACE. Even, smooth to the touch. 

ECTOSOME. The dermal layer can be detached only with difficulty. It is a callyspongiid 

double network of spongin fibers. The two networks gradually intergrade with respect to 

fiber diameter. The small fibers are 7-30 LL in diameter. They are mostly unispicular, 

with the spicules in a continuous line, or less frequently, somewhat spaced. The meshes 

are 60-220 LL in width. They are often nearly square or rectangular, with rounded corners. 

The large fibers are 30-45 ^ in diameter and usually have several rows of spicules in a 

continuous axial core. The meshes are triangular to polygonal. Parallel fibers may be 

200-580 LL apart. The dermal pores are 35-45 LL in diameter. A few interstitial spicules 

are present. 

ENDOSOME. The interior fibers are 20-75 LL in diameter. Thinner fibers are mostly 

unispicular. Thicker fibers have a continuous axial core of 3-6 rows. The square to rectangular 

meshes are mostly 300-600 LL in maximum width. A few interstitial spicules 

occur in the flesh. A number of dense, nearly spherical embryos, 160-217 LL in diameter, 

are present in the specimen which was collected in November. 

SPICULES. Mostly diactinal, straight to very slightly curved, 48-102 X 1-5 LL.* (125 

spicules.) Most of the spicules are centrotylote, with a central irregularly swollen area 

about 7 LL long, and 3-5 LL in diameter. The ends are most frequently narrow but blunt. 

Others are acutely pointed, irregular in outline, or round. In the last case, the spicules 

are styles or strongyles. The modified spicules may be centrotylote. The spicules of the 

interior fibers are often very thin, with the shaft (aside from any central swelling) only 

1-2 LL in diameter.


DISCUSSION. The most closely related species is Callyspongia aspinosa Levi, 1959, of 

West Africa. They are similar in appearance, color, and consistency. Levi's sponge is 

more tubular in shape. The spicules of the West African sponge are substrongyles which 

may reach 125 p in length. The dimensions of the interior skeleton are somewhat 

different. 

ORDER POECILGSCLERIDA Topsent 1928 

FAMILY TEDANIIDAE Ridley and Dendy, sensu de Laubenfels, 1936a 

GENUS TEDANIA Gray 

Tedania ignis (Duchassaing and Michelotti) Verrill 

(Plate V, fig. 4) 

Thalysias ignis Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 83 [type: St. Thomas; Brit. Mus. 

(Nat. Hist.) reg. no. 28.11.12.43.] 

Tedania ignis, Verrill, 1907, p. 339; de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 89; idem, 1936b, p. 459; 

idem, 1949, p. 16; idem, 1950a, p. 69; idem, 1950b, p. 21 (?); idem, 1951a, p. 260 (?); 

idem, 1956, p. 3; Little, 1963, p. 48. 

Tedania ignis pacifica de Laubenfels, 1954a, p. 129 (?). 

Tedania digitata, Schmidt (not Schmidt, 1862), 1870, p. 43 [partim]; Wilson, 1902a, p. 

395 (fide de Laubenfels, 1936a); Arndt, 1927, p. 146. 

Tedania digitata var. bermudensis Ridley and Dendy, 1887, p. 51. 

Reniera digitata, Carter, 1882, p. 287; idem, 1884, p. 205. 

Tedania brucei Wilson, 1894, p. 320 (fide de Laubenfels, 1936a.) 

Tedania nigrescens, Burton and Rao, 1932, p. 353 [partim] (not Schmidt, 1862.) 

Tedania anhelans, Burton, 1954, p. 229 (not Lieberkiihn, 1859.) 

HABITAT. Common on mangrove roots, pilings at Port Royal and on coral rubble 

near the cays. 

SHAPE. Thickly incrusting, and massive to lobate. Typical specimens are somewhat 

larger than fist-sized. Massive specimens have prominent volcano-like oscular projections. 

COLOR. The exterior is a very uniform flame red. The interior is a pale red-orange. 

In alcohol the sponges become beige. 

CONSISTENCY. Compressible. De Laubenfels often described the species as extremely 

soft and delicate, but that is certainly not the case in the Jamaican specimens. 

SURFACE. The smooth dermal skin is made uneven by low meandering ridges and 

conules. The numerous oscules, often raised on projections, are several millimeters to 

1 cm in diameter. 

ECTOSOME. The skin contains thickly strewn tylotes and onychaetes. The tylotes often 

form broad but ill-defined tracts. The scattered ostia are 40-60 p in diameter. 

ENDOSOME. The skeleton includes styles grouped into spicule tracts 40-70 //, in diameter. 

The tracts grade into loose bundles and scattered spicules. Onychaetes are 

thickly strewn in the flesh. Large gemmules, 300-500 ^ in longest diameter, are present 

in the interior. They are dense aspiculous masses, bright red in life, and white in alcohol. 

All of the dozens of specimens examined in the field at all times of the year had numerous 

gemmules. Their development into larvae has been followed by Wilson (1894). 

SPICULES, (a) Dermal tylotes, straight, with narrow, elongate heads, 181-253 X 3-7 //,. 

The heads are terminally microspined. (b) Styles, smooth, straight to slightly curved, with 

narrowed heads and rather hastate points, 232-297 X 5-12 /x. (c) Onychaetes, microspined 

raphides, 47-264 X 1-3 p.. It is difficult to determine the lower range. Individual analyses, 

lengths in microns, 25 spicules each: 

Tylotes 

214-236 

199-234 

205-234 

210-232 

210-253 

181-246 

Styles 

253-293 

234-297 

234-281 

232-270 

239-283 

232-283 

Raphides 

47-258 

159-253 

203-264 

87-232 

137-253 

101-239


DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: Florida—Carter, 1884, p. 205 (as Reniera 

digitata); Dry Tortugas, Florida—de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 89; West coast, Florida— 

Little, 1963, p. 48; Atlantic coast, Panama—de Laubenfels, 1936b, p. 459; Brazil—de 

Laubenfels, 1956, p. 3; Bermuda—Ridley and Dendy, 1887, p. 51 (as Tedania digitata 

bermudensis), Verrill, 1907, p. 339, de Laubenfels, 1950a, p. 69; Bahamas—Wilson, 1894, 

p. 320 (as Tedania brucei), de Laubenfels, 1949, p. 16; Puerto Rico—Wilson, 1902a, p. 

395 (as Tedania digitata), Lesser Antilles—St. Thomas—Duchassaing and Michelotti, 

1864, p. 83 (as Thalysias ignis), Schmidt, 1870, p. 43 (as Tedania digitata)) Antigua— 

Carter, 1882, p. 287 (as Reniera digitata); Curasao—Arndt, 1927, p. 146 (as Tedania 

digitata); Turneffe Is. (West Indies)—Burton, 1954, p. 229 (as Tedania anhelans); Central 

Pacific—de Laubenfels, 1954a, p. 129 (?); Hawaiian Is.—de Laubenfels, 1950b, p. 

21, 1951a, p. 260 (?). 

DISCUSSION. Specimens of Tedania with similar-sized spicules are widely distributed 

in warm seas. Burton and Rao (1932) concluded that all were conspecific with the 

Mediterranean sponge now known as Tedania anhelans (Lieberkiihn). De Laubenfels 

(1936a, 1950a, and 1950b) maintained that the West Indian population was specifically 

distinct from the European one, largely on the basis of differences in coloration and 

style thickness. A review of the literature casts doubt on the latter criterion. The uniformity 

of coloration in the West Indian examples of Tedania is most striking. For example, 

all of the many dozens of Tedania ignis seen in a variety of shallow water habitats 

over a two-year period in Jamaica had the same flame-red color. De Laubenfels noted 

only three variants in a population of "literally thousands" at the Dry Tortugas. (1936a, 

p. 90.) A study of eastern Caribbean faunas might provide information of value, since 

Schmidt recorded both black and red sponges from St. Thomas. By contrast, the Mediterranean 

and West African sponges are variously reported as green, orange, gray, brown 

and black. A branching growth form has been recorded for Tedania from Europe but 

has not been found in the West Indian sponges. Tedania ignis is said to irritate 

severely the skin of many people, although it did not affect me. Such irritation has not, 

to my knowledge, been associated with the Mediterranean sponge. Gemmules have been 

reported only for the West Indian sponge (cf. Wilson 1894, de Laubenfels 1950a) and 

may be a characteristic of T. ignis. The West Indian population, therefore, forms a 

rather homogeneous group, which is very probably not conspecific with the Mediterranean 

T. anhelans. 

Specimens of Tedania from the Indo-Pacific also present a taxonomic problem. De 

Laubenfels only doubtfully assigned Hawaiian and Central Pacific sponges to the West 

Indian species. His Pacific specimens were always incrusting. He concluded that they 

were at least a distinct subspecies. Australasian specimens of Tedania, recorded under 

a number of species names, are described as orange or red in color. Their relationship 

to the European and West Indian species remains to be clarified. 

GENUS LISSODENDORYX Topsent 

Lissodendoryx isodictyalis (Carter) Topsent 

Halichondria. isodictyalis Carter, 1882, p. 285 [type: Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, and 

Acapulco, Mexico; Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) (?)]; idem, 1886, p. 52. 

Myxilla isodictyalis, Dendy, 1896, p. 30; Row, 1911, p. 343. 

Lissodendoryx isodictyalis, Topsent, 1897, p. 456; idem, 1925a, p. 701; idem, 1936, p. 18; 

Burton, 1948, p. 755; de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 93; idem, 1947, p. 35; idem, 1950a, p. 

73; idem, 1956, p. 2, 3; Dickinson, 1945, p. 20; L£vi, 1952, p. 48; Hopkins, 1956, p. 24; 

Hartman, 1958, p. 41; Wells et al., 1960, p. 212; Sara and Siribelli, 1960, p. 53; Little, 

1963, p. 48. 

Lissodendoryx isodictyalis paucispinosa Topsent, 1928, p. 240 (?). 

[non] Lissodendoryx isodictyalis jacksoniana Burton, 1936b, p. 141. 

Tedania leptoderma Topsent, 1889, p. 49 (fide Topsent, 1897.) 

Lissodendoryx leptoderma, Topsent, 1894, p. 35. 

Lissodendoryx similis Thiele, 1899, p. 18 (fide Topsent, 1925a); Burton and Rao, 1932, 

p. 331 (fide Topsent, 1936.)


Lissodendoryx carolinensis Wilson, 1911, p. 11; George and Wilson, 1919, p. 150; Mc- 

Dougall, 1943, p. 331. 

HABITAT. The single specimen was collected at Drunkenman's Cay, at a turtle grass 

bed in three feet of water. 

SHAPE. The sponge is a low cushion-shaped mass 4.5 X 3 cm in area. It attains a maximum 

thickness of two cm. 

COLOR. In life, light purple. In alcohol the sponge is nearly cream. 


SURFACE. The dermis is a detachable skin. Its low, meandering convolutions are 

similar to those of Tedania ignis. A few oscules, 1-5 mm in diameter, are scattered over 

the surface. 

ECTOSOME. The dermal membrane contains tylotes and abundant microscleres. The 

tylotes are strewn singly and in loose bundles, 30-40 /m in diameter. Dermal pores pierce 

the skin singly and in groups of three to six. Typical ostial sizes are 50 X 35, 87 X 72, 

and 116 x 94 ^. Extensive subdermal cavities, 100-300 LL in depth, underlie the skin. 

The surface layer is supported by broad tufts of tylotes which begin as bundles below the 

subdermal spaces. 

ENDOSOME. The styles form a confused to subisodictyal pattern in the interior. Illdefined 

spicule tracts are present in places. A few tylotes are present in the floor of the 

subdermal spaces. Microscleres are extremely abundant. The chelas are often clustered 

into groups and lines. A few clumps of debris were noted in the flesh. 

SPICULES, (a) Dermal tylotes, straight, with swollen elongate ends, 188-223 X 3-5 LL 

(50 spicules), (b) Endosomal styles, usually with the shaft curved near the basal end, 

152-188 X 3-7 fi. The spicules are somewhat subtylostylote, with a slight neck constriction 

and narrow head. Their points are rather hastate, narrowing from within lV^-2 

diameters of the end (50 spicules), (c) Sigmas, 22-28 /* (30 spicules), (d) Tridentate (arcuate) 

isochelas, with a slightly curved shaft, 27-37 LL (30 spicules). The central teeth are 

each 10 [x long, in a spicule of 27 LL total length. The ends have narrow but definitely 

rounded apices. 

DISTRIBUTION. North American temperate Atlantic: New England—Hartman, 1958, 

p. 41. 

Tropical Atlantic America: North Carolina—Wilson, 1911, p. 11. (as Lissodendoryx 

carolinensis), George and Wilson, 1919, p. 150, (as Lissodendoryx carolinensis), Mc- 

Dougall, 1943, p. 331 (as Lissodendoryx carolinensis), de Laubenfels, 1947, p. 35, Wells 

et al., 1960, p. 212; South Carolina—Hopkins, 1956, p. 24; Dry Tortugas, Florida—de 

Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 93; West coast, Florida—Little, 1963, p. 48; Venezuela—Carter, 

1882, p. 285 (as Halichondria isodictyalis); Brazil—de Laubenfels, 1956, p. 2, 3; Bermuda—de 

Laubenfels, 1950a, p. 73, Hartman, 1958, p. 41; Guadeloupe—Topsent, 1889, 

p. 49 (as Tedania leptoderma). 

Mediterranean-Atlantic: Monaco—Topsent, 1925a, p. 701, Topsent, 1936, p. 18; 

Naples, Italy—Topsent, 1925a, p. 701, Sara and Siribelli, 1960, p. 53; Venice, Italy— 

Topsent, 1925a, p. 701. 

Tropical West Africa: Cape Verde Is.—Topsent, 1928, p. 240 (?); Senegal, LeVi, 1952, 

p. 48; Congo—Burton, 1948, p. 755. 

Indo-Pacific-Red Sea—Row, 1911, p. 343 (as Myxilla isodictyalis); Mergui Archipelago, 

off Burma—Burton and Rao, 1932, p. 311 (as Lissodendoryx similis); East Indies— 

Topsent, 1897, p. 456; Thiele, 1899, p. 18 (as Lissodendoryx similis); Australia—Carter, 

1886, p. 52 (as Halichondria isodictyalis); Dendy, 1896, p. 30 (as Myxilla isodictyalis); 

Whitelegge, 1902, p. 25 (as Myxilla isodictyalis); 

Tropical Pacific America: Acapulco, Mexico—Carter, 1882, p. 285 (as Halichondria 

isodictyalis); Gulf of California—Dickinson, 1945, p. 20. 

DISCUSSION. A variety of colors has been reported for this species, but the present 

specimen is the first purple example. The unpleasant Ircinia-like odor reported by 

de Laubenfels (1950a), and apparently noticed by Hopkins, who called it the garlic sponge, 

was noted in the Jamaican sponge.


In spiculation, my specimen agrees well with Topsent's Guadeloupe sponge, and, 

except for sigma size, with Carter's type. The various specimens attributed to the species 

exhibit a wide range of spicule sizes. The reported variations cannot be correlated with 

distribution. For example, wide extremes of microsclere size have been reported for both 

West Indian and Mediterranean specimens. Sponges from the East Coast of the United 

States do form a rather homogeneous group, characterized by small chelas and large 

sigmas (as compared with the known ranges for the species). They also have peculiar, 

contractile, pore-bearing dermal papillae. Hartman (1958) has referred to them as the 

carolinensis type, and they could be considered as a separate subspecies. 

Lissodendoryx similis Thiele has spicules similar in size to those of L. isodictyalis. 

Thiele emphasized the presence of chelas with round rather than pointed ends in his 

species definition. Topsent (1925a, 1936) concluded that chela shape was a variable characteristic 

within L. isodictyalis. 

Lissodendoryx jacksoniana (Lendenfeld, 1888), as redescribed by Hallmann (1914), 

differs sufficiently from L. isodictyalis to warrant its retention as a separate species. Its 

endosomal skeleton includes small strongyles in addition to the usual styles. Burton 

(1936b) has reported it from South Africa as L. isodictyalis jacksoniana. 

The poorly known Lissodendoryx isodictyalis paucispinosa Topsent is similar in 

spicule sizes to Carter's species. It approaches the myxillid condition with varying degrees 

of spination on the base and even the shaft of the styles. 

GENUS ACANTHACARNUS Levi 

Acanthacarnus souriei Levi 

Acanthacarnus souriei Levi, 1952, p. 54 [type: Senegal; repository not specified]; idem, 

1959, p. 132; Vacelet, 1961, p. 42. 

Acanthacarnus levii Vacelet, 1960, p. 267 (fide Vacelet, 1961.) 

HABITAT. The single example was collected at Drunkenman's Cay. 

SHAPE. A very thin film, in crevices of a coral rock. 

COLOR. Bright red-orange. 

CONSISTENCY. TOO thin to determine. 

SURFACE. Smooth to the touch, even. No oscules are apparent. 

ECTOSOME. The dermal tylotes are thickly strewn at the surface. Toxas and chelas are 

abundant. 

ENDOSOME. The shape of the specimen made sectioning difficult. A few bundles of 

styles, about 30 fx in diameter, could be seen. They are obliquely echinated by cladotylotes 

and acanthostyles. The cladome end of the cladotylotes and the apices of the 

acanthostyles are directed outward from the spicule bundles. 

SPICULES, (a) Dermal tylotes, straight, heads usually microspined, 119-357 X 3-7 /x (50 

spicules), (b) Endosomal styles, often subtylostylote, slightly curved, 240-381 X 3-5 xi 

(30 spicules). Their bases are slightly swollen and roughened, or irregularly shaped. 

(c) Cladotylotes (rose-stem spicules), straight to slightly curved, 70-205 x 3-5 /x (60 spicules). 

One end has four well-developed recurved clads. The other end may have short 

irregularly oriented clads or lumpy projections. The stem bears numerous thorn-like 

spines, which usually point away from the cladome. (d) Echinating acanthostyles, thin, 

straight, finely and entirely spined, 68-104 x 3-5 ^ (30 spicules), (e) Palmate isochelas, 

17-21 X 2 /a (50 spicules), (f) Toxas, varied in shape, 50 X 2 to 330 X less than 2 /x. 

The more elongate toxas are thin, with a short, shallow central arch. The smaller ones 

are thick and strongly arched. 

DISTRIBUTION. Mediterranean-Atlantic: Corsica—Vacelet, 1960, p. 267 (as Acanthacarnus 

levii); Vacelet, 1961, p. 42. 

Tropical West Africa: Senegal—Levi, 1952, p. 54; Gulf of Guinea—Levi, 1959, p. 132. 

DISCUSSION. The Jamaican specimen is the first West Indian record of the species. My 

specimen agrees closely with the West African examples.

n i 


FAMILY MICROCIONIDAE Hentschel, sensu de Laubenfels, 1936a 

GENUS MICROCIONA Bowerbank 

Microciona microchela n. sp. 

10// 

c— - 

A 3H I 1 

100// 

Fig. 7. —Spicules of Microciona microchela. A. Tylostyle. B. Head of subtylostyle enlarged to 

show spination. C. Acanthostyle. D. Toxa of two sizes. E. Palmate isochelas of two 

sizes. C, D: scale I. B, E: scale II. A: scale III. YPM 5040. Holotype. 

HOLOTYPE. YPM 5040. Rasta's Wreck, May 24, 1961. 

HABITAT. Common on shells and pilings at Port Royal. 

SHAPE. Most specimens are incrustations about one mm in thickness. They often cover 

several square feet of the substratum. One specimen is an anastomosing complex of flattened, 

repent branches attached to the substratum at several places. Its branches are 1-5 

mm in maximum diameter. It is identical to the incrusting specimens in spiculation. 

COLOR. In life the sponges have a pale pink surface and a pinkish-orange interior. In 

alcohol they first become bluish-gray and finally beige to brown. 

CONSISTENCY. Tough, very slightly compressible. 

SURFACE. Smooth to the touch; even or partly uneven. River-like systems of narrow, 

efferent subdermal canals lead to small oscules. Neither canals nor events are evident in 

preserved specimens. 

ECTOSOME. The dermal palisade is difficult to detach. It consists of radiating tufts of 

short, thin tylostyles. The spicules project slightly beyond the dermal membrane. The 

latter contains an abundance of minute isochelas, as well as smaller numbers of the other 

microsclere types. The dermal pores, clustered in groups of 4-8, are 20-45 //, in diameter. 

ENDOSOME. Small acanthostyles and long, robust subtylostyles are embeddedd in a thin 

basal layer of spongin. Short spongin columns, with a diameter of 15-75 p, ascend from 

the basal plate in the incrusting specimens. The interior of the branching sponge is supported 

by an irregular fibroreticulation. The columns and fibers contain one to many 

rows of subtylostyles. They are echinated by acanthostyles and long, robust subtylostyles. 

The flesh contains all categories of microscleres and numerous long, thin subtylostyles. 

SPICULES, (a) Subtylostyles, straight, gradually pointed, 106-410 x 2-10 /x. Many spicules 

of all lengths have finely microspined or roughened heads. The dermal spicules are 

2-5 juL in diameter. The long, robust echinators are 5-10 fi in diameter. A few of the


robust spicules are styles, (b) Acanthostyles, straight, with sharp points, 50-100 ^ in length. 

The heads are 5-8 /x in diameter. Conical spines, 1-3 LL in height, are irregularly strewn 

over the head and basal 2/3-4/5 of the shaft, (c) Large palmate isochelas, 10-18 LL in 

length, with a maximum head diameter of 3 LI. (d) Small palmate isochelas, 4-7 LL in 

length, with a maximum head diameter of 2 ju,. (e) Large toxas, 48-413 X 1-2 fx. The 

longer spicules have a short, shallow central arch and straight sides. A very few are 

actually raphides. The short spicules have a deeper arch and slightly recurved ends. 

Toxodragmata are present, (f) Small toxas, 5-13 X 1-2 /A, with straight sides. The spicules 

approach an inverted, flattened V in shape. Individual analyses, lengths in microns: 

Subtylostyles 

110-386 (70) 

106-410 (70) 

117-351 (25) 

104-340 (50)* 

Small isochelas 

4-5 (25) 

5-7 (25) 

4-7 (25) 

5-7 (25)* 

Acanthostyles 

50-100 (50) 

53-73 (50) 

50-78 (25) 

50-80 (25)* 

Large toxas 

present 

48-270 (15) 

136-413 (13) 

48-320 (15)* 

Large isochelas 

10-13 (25) 

10-17 (25) 

10-16 (25) 

13-18 (25)* 

Small toxas 

present 

7-10 (13) 

present 

5-13 (25)* 

DISCUSSION. The Jamaican sponge is characterized by the presence of two sizes of both 

toxas and chelas. Microciona parthena de Laubenfels of California (cf. de Laubenfels, 

1932b) has small toxas which are similar in shape to those of the present specimens. 

The Californian species is otherwise quite different. 

Only a few species of Microciona have minute isochelas in addition to the typical 

isochelas of the genus. Clathria favosa Whitelegge, 1906, of Australia has such spicules, 

but lacks minute toxas. It is a branching sponge with a honeycombed surface. Clathria 

copiosa Topsent, var. curacaoensis Arndt, 1927, also has minute isochelas. It is certainly 

not conspecific with Topsent's material. Arndt's Curasao sponge differs from the Jamaican 

in having styles rather than subtylostyles. Its acanthostyles are entirely spined and smaller 

in size. Small toxas are not present. Microciona maunaloa de Laubenfels (1951a) of 

Hawaii is similar in color, shape and structure to the Jamaican species. The long toxas 

are of similar form. M. maunaloa differs in lacking small toxas. Its subtylostyles are 

devoid of spines, and its acanthostyles are entirely spined. The differences, combined 

with the geographical gap, suggest that the Jamaican sponge is not conspecific with M. 

maunaloa. They are certainly closely related species. 

Microciona rarispinosa n. sp. 

(Text-fig. 8) 

HOLOTYPE. YPM 5041. Rasta's Wreck, June 24, 1961. 

HABITAT. Incrusting on pilings and mussel shells at Port Royal. 

SHAPE. All of the several dozen observed specimens were very thin films. Most were 

less than 0.5 mm in thickness. 

COLOR. The living sponges are bright red. Preserved specimens are drab to gray. 


SURFACE. Even, microhispid, punctiform. No oscules were visible. 

ECTOSOME. No specialization. Many of the tylostyles project beyond the protoplasmic 

surface. 

ENDOSOME. The spongin skeleton consists of a basal plate and short ascending fibers 

which are 30-45 fx in diameter. The plate and fibers lack coring spicules but are echinated 

by stout subtylostyles. The echinators are basally implanted in spongin, often for i/s of 

their length. The shorter echinators usually have roughened bases. The flesh contains 

both thick and thin subtylostyles of all sizes along with numerous microscleres.


SPICULES. The subtylostyles can be readily divided into two categories by their thickness. 

(a) The echinators and some of the scattered megascleres are stout, with dimensions 

of 72-702 X 5-20 /A. A slight but definite constriction separates the rounded head from 

the shaft. The longer spicules are usually curved toward the basal end. The shorter 

spicules are usually straight and frequently have roughened heads. A very few stout 

subtylostyles exhibit a slight tendency toward shaft spination. The spines, when present, 

I L 

Fig. 8. —Spicules of Microciona rarispinosa. A. Stout subtylostyles. B. Thin subtylostyle. C. 

Heads of stout tylostyles enlarged to show spination. D. Palmate isochelas. E. Toxa. 

A, B: scale I. C, D: scale II. E: scale III. YPM 5041. Holotype. 

are only 1-3 in number and usually less than 1 p in height, (b) Thin, scattered subtylostyles, 

with narrow ovoid heads, 116-608 X 2-5 p. (c) Narrow palmate isochelas, 

12-20 p long, with a maximum head width of 3 fi. (d) Toxas 16-23 X 2 fi or less. Most 

are tricurvate, with a wide deep arch, and recurved ends. The smaller toxas have a shallow 

arch and straight ends. Individual analyses, lengths in microns: 

Thick 

Tylostyles 

128-702 (50) 

72-398 (50) 

82-538 (75)* 

Thin 

Tylostyles 

153-375 (50) 

116-348 (50) 

146-608 (50)* 

Isochelas 

13-16 (50) 

12-15 (25) 

13-20 (25)* 

Toxas 

16-60 (50) 


20-63 (50)* 

DISCUSSION. The species is characterized by a lack of acanthostyles, and the near absence 

of shaft spination on the echinating megascleres. It is therefore intermediate between 

Microciona and the ophlitaspongiid genus Axociella. In spicule size ranges the present 

species is very similar to the Puerto Rican sponges described as Microciona spinosa by 

Wilson (1902a). Wilson's species differs by its complete lack of spination and by the 

presence of conules. De Laubenfels (1936a, p. 113) transferred M. spinosa to Axociella. 

De Laubenfels' Florida specimens differ from Wilson's in shape, spicule complement and 

megasclere distribution. They are therefore unlikely to be conspecific with either the 

Puerto Rican or Jamaican sponges. 

Microciona similis Stephens (1915) of South Africa is also similar in structure to the 

Jamaican species but differs in having thicker fibers and larger toxas. The smallest styles 

have a considerable number of spines on the shaft. De Laubenfels (1936a) established a


new genus, Axocielita, for M. similis on the erroneous assumption that all its megascleres 

are smooth. Axocielita is therefore a synonym of Microciona. 

The species conforming to de Laubenfels' definition of Axocielita can be included 

within Axociella Hallmann. De Laubenfels used Axociella for massive sponges with the 

same spicule complement as the incrusting species placed in Axocielita. The species 

which must be transferred or returned to Axociella include Axociella calla de Laubenfels, 

1934; Axocielita kilauea de Laubenfels, 1951a; Axocielita linda de Laubenfels, 1954a; 

and Ophlitaspongia membranacea Thiele, 1905. Microciona aceratoobtusa Carter, 1887, 

has styles with microspined heads, and can best be retained in Microciona. The presence 

of a graded series of intermediates between Microciona and Axociella suggests that the 

validity of de Laubenfels* family Ophlitaspongiidae is open to question. 

GENUS THALYSEURYPON de Laubenfels 

Thalyseurypon conulosa n. sp. 

(Text-fig. 9; plate VI, fig. 1) 

Fig. 9. —Spicules of Thalyseurypon conulosa. A. Subtylostyles. B. Acanthostyle. YPM 5042. 

Holotype. 

HOLOTYPE. YPM 5042. Off Maiden Cay, August 12, 1961. 

HABITAT. The single specimen was collected in about 10 feet of water near Maiden 

Cay. 

SHAPE. The lobate sponge arises from a narrow region of attachment. It attains a 

maximum height of 8 cm and a maximum overall width of 10 cm. The partially fused 

lobes are 1-2 cm in diameter and several centimeters in height. The sponge is a dark 

purple with a reddish tinge in life and retains that color in alcohol. The sponge emits a 

purplish exudate and darkens the preservative. 

CONSISTENCY. Compressible, but tough and difficult to tear. 

SURFACE. The surface is strongly conulose. The conules are 3-6 mm in height, frequently 

0.5 mm in thickness, and often bifid. Adjacent conules are 2-5 mm apart and 

are often connected by thick ridges. A thin, smooth, detachable skin covers both the 

conules and interconular areas. The sparsely scattered oscules are less than 0.5 mm in 

diameter. 

ECTOSOME. The skin is almost entirely aspiculous. Thin oxeote spicules were observed 

very rarely in strips of the skin. The skin contains extremely abundant oval pigmented 

cells, 10-13 ix in diameter. A few possible dermal pores, 21-35 ^ in diameter, were 

observed. 

ENDOSOME. The skeleton is a network of stout spongin fibers with coring and echinating 

spicules. The fibers are 40-150 ^ in diameter, mostly 75-175 p apart. The fibers 

are composed largely of spongin, with only 1-3 rows of coring spicules. In places the 

skeleton consists of single spicules within a thin sheath of spongin. All of the definitely 

coring spicules are smooth. The echinating spicules are often basally covered with


spongin. Many echinators are entirely smooth. Others have a smooth shaft and finely 

spined head. Here and there, an entirely spined acanthostyle can be observed. A very 

few thin oxeote spicules are present in the flesh. 

SPICULES, (a) Styles, slightly curved to straight, 203-449 x 7-10 ^ (125 spicules). 

The spicules are somewhat subtylostylote, with a slight subterminal expansion and a 

rounded end. For example, a spicule with a shaft diameter of 10 microns has a maximum 

head diameter of 12 p. Below the head, the spicules taper gradually to a sharp point. A 

few spicules are definitely styles. Tylostrongyles occur in small numbers. Some echinators 

have roughened or finely spined heads. Immature spicules range in form from thin lobate 

tylostyles to thin blunt-ended styles. A few spicules of typical shape are extremely long. 

Spicules of 807, 898, 1037 and 1334 ^ were recorded, (b) Echinating acanthostyles, 130- 

230 X 5-12 [JL (25 spicules). The very fine spines are scattered irregularly over the entire 

surface of the spicule. They are 1 /x or less in height, and 2-15 ^ apart, (c) Thin, fusiform 

oxeas, 341-652 X 2-3 p. (15 spicules). They are uncommon, but apparently proper 

to the sponge. 

DISCUSSION. The large size, lack of microscleres, and presence of some spiny echinators, 

places the specimen in the genus Thalyseurypon. The presence of some entirely smooth 

echinators is noteworthy for the genus. The sponge is quite different from any of the 

West Indian members of the genus. T. vasiformis de Laubenfels (1953a) is a vase with 

very large tylostyles. T. foliacea (Topsent, 1889) has spinous coring spicules and leaf-like 

branches. T. carteri Topsent (1889) has thick, flat branches, and numerous interstitial 

spicules. 

Thalyseurypon conulosa is similar in shape, conule size and color to Pandaros acanthifolium 

Duchassaing and Michelotti (1864, p. 90). The latter species was described from 

St. Thomas and reported from the Dry Tortugas by de Laubenfels (1936a, p. 123). 

De Laubenfels reported "occasional acanthose modifications" in the spicules of the 

St. Thomas specimen (p. 124). T. conulosa differs from Pandaros acanthifolium in having 

definite echinators, including a distinctive category of small acanthostyles. De Laubenfels 

emphasized the fact that "The fibers are not at all echinated" in his redefinition of 

Pandaros (p. 123). T. conulosa also lacks the subdermal spaces and unusually spongy 

consistency of de Laubenfels* material. 

FAMILY MYCALIDAE Lundbeck, 1905 (=Amphilectidae, de Laubenfels 1936a) 

A reticulate skeleton. The fibers or spicule tracts are never echinated. The megascleres 

are monactinal. The microscleres, usually present, may include sigmas, chelas, 

toxas or raphides. 

De Laubenfels (1936a) curiously assigned Mycale and Zygomycale to his family 

Ophlitaspongiidae, which is defined as having smooth, echinating spicules. The two 

genera lack echinators and thus key out to his family Amphilectidae. 

Mycale (along with its synonym Esperella, and the preoccupied Esperia) has always 

been used for sponges with compact spicule tracts. Topsent (1924), revising the European 

species of Mycale, described the skeleton as consisting of polyspicular fibers. The writer 

has found no mention of echinators in any description of mycalid species, including 

those of de Laubenfels. Mycale has indeed been used by many authors as the type genus 

of a family characterized by the lack of echinators. 

Gray (1867, p. 531) established a family Esperiadae to include Esperia and Mycale. 

(The two genera were distinguished on the basis of their microsclere complement). 

Vosmaer (1886, p. 353) noted that Esperia was a preoccupied name and replaced it by 

Esperella. Ridley and Dendy (1887), divided their family Desmacidonidae into two subfamilies, 

the Esperellinae and the Ectyoninae. The former subfamily was characterized 

by non-echinated, and the latter by echinated fibers. Thiele (1905, p. 949) placed Esperella 

into synonymy with Mycale, and Lundbeck (1905, p. 7) accordingly replaced the 

name Esperellinae with Mycalinae. The group was raised to a family in the classification 

of Hentschel (1923). 

The Ophlitaspongiidae and Amphilectidae, as listed by de Laubenfels (1936a) probably 

require further revision, but many of the genera are unfamiliar to me.


GENUS MYCALE Gray 

Mycale laevis (Carter) de Laubenfels 

(Plate VI, fig. 2) 

Esperia laevis Carter, 1882, p. 291 [type: Puerto Cabello, Venezuela; Brit. Mus. (Nat. 

Hist.) (?)] 

Mycale laevis, de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 116. 

HABITAT. Very common on pilings at Port Royal. 

SHAPE. A typical specimen is fist-sized, massive and lobate. Cylindrical specimens also 

occur. An example growing on a crab's back is a horizontally spreading mass, two mm 

to 2 cm in thickness. 

COLOR. In life, the exterior is a light orange, while the interior is a dull yellow. A 

specimen dried after initial preservation in alcohol became white in color. In alcohol, 

the sponges are beige, with or without traces of the original orange color. 


SURFACE. Smooth to the touch, but uneven in places. The oscules are 0.5-1.5 cm in 

diameter. Each receives the openings of several large exhalant canals. In some cases, a 

deep cloaca is present. The oscules are usually apical on the lobes. They are bordered by 

a very characteristic membranous rim which is sometimes divided into filiform processes. 

The resultant collar may reach a centimeter in height. 

ECTOSOME. The oscular rim contains stout, longitudinal, occasionally anastomosing 

spicule bundles, 100-600 fx in diameter. They are also joined by connective tracts. The 

rim membranes contain numerous microscleres, including rosettes of large anisochelas. 

A detachable skin (which easily becomes macerated) covers the surface. The dermal 

skeleton includes an irregular reticulation of spicule bundles, 40-145 jx in diameter. The 

bundles grade into loosely organized groups of spicules. A considerable number of 

megascleres are strewn in the flesh. The interstices of the network are often 70-150 fx in 

width. They contain microscleres of all types, except for large anisochelas. The scattered 

ostia are 30-145 ju, in diameter. Their partition walls are often 30-40 ju. in width and contain 

relatively few microscleres (mostly raphides and small anisochelas.) 

ENDOSOME. The interior contains scattered megascleres and a coarse irregular network 

of spicule bundles. The interstitial spicules are of varying thickness, while those 

of the tracts are robust. The reticulate skeleton becomes more prominent near the 

periphery. Numerous tracts ascend to the surface, sometimes branching in the process, 

to end below the dermis in slightly expanded tufts. Conspicuous rosettes of a dozen or 

more anisochelas are common near the ascending tracts. The periphery of the endosome 

also contains a great abundance of very compact trichodragmata, 50-70 /*, in length and 

about 10 fx in diameter. Such compact bundles are often clustered together. Compact 

trichodragmata, in smaller numbers, occur throughout the sponge along with single 

raphides and loose sheaves of raphides similar to those figured by Carter. Sigmas are 

present in great numbers in the flesh. 

SPICULES, (a) Styles, sometimes slightly subtylostylote, straight to somewhat curved, 

with a narrowed base, and rather abrupt point, 377-596 x 7-18 p. (b) Large palmate 

anisochelas, with a straight, thick shaft, 57-100 JX total length x 7-10 [x maximum shaft 

diameter. The large (upper) end consists of a prominent wide central tooth flanked by 

attached palms, similar in length to the tooth. The lower end is expanded transversely, 

terminating at each side in a plate which is directed away from the shaft on the same 

side of the spicule as the central upper tooth. The upper end of the spicule is about as 

long as the tooth gap and is between two and three times the length of the lower end. 

The respective figures for a typical chela are 34, 30, and 13 [i. The maximum width of 

the upper end is usually about 25-40 LI. The lower end is 2/3 to % the width of the larger 

end. (c) Small anisochelas, with very long upper ends, and narrow, short, lower ends, 

15-28 jx total length X 2 /x shaft diameter. As seen in profile, the upper tooth extends 

down nearly to the level of the lower end. The lower end is sometimes extended by a 

small apical projection about 2 LL in length, (d) Sigmas, 17-77 X 1-3 p. (e) Raphides,


27-102 X 2 /i. Many are grouped into the previously described trichodragmata and 

sheaves. Individual analyses, lengths in microns, 50 styles and 25 of each category of 

microsclere per sponge: 

Styles 

463-565 

421-541 

467-596 

492-590 

377-536 

Large 

Anisochelas 

68-87 

65-86 

70-96 

57-100 

63-82 

Small 

Anisochelas 

15-23 

17-28 

17-23 

20-27 

17-22 

Sigmas 

18-50 

17-63 

18-57 

23-77 

24-46 

Raphides 

50-87 

48-102 

51-85 

27-93 

50-87 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: Venezuela—Carter, 1882, p. 291 (as Esperia 

laevis). 

DISCUSSION. The Jamaican sponge resembles Carter's Venezuelan species in form, 

spicule assortment and spicule sizes. The shapes of the spicules are, for the most part, in 

close agreement. The small anisochelas of my specimens, however, have at best a slight 

lower projection which never attains the proportions shown in Carter's figures. Carter 

mentions neither membranous nor feathery rims for the oscules. They are certainly quite 

characteristic of the Jamaican sponge. Being delicate, they may have been destroyed on 

the specimens available to Carter. 

Mycale microsigmatosa (Arndt) Burton 

Mycale fistulata var. microsigmatosa Arndt, 1927, p. 144 [type: Curasao; repository not 

specified.] 

Mycale microsigmatosa, Burton, 1956, p. 129. 

Mycale cecilia de Laubenfels, 1936b, p. 447; idem, 1950b, p. 24; Wells et al., 1960, p. 

212 (?) 

Mycale senegalensis LeVi, 1952, p. 46; idem, 1959, p. 129. 

HABITAT. Common on mangrove roots and on turtle grass. 

SHAPE. All of the dozens of specimens seen in the field were incrustations, 1-3 mm in 

thickness. 

COLOR. In life, pale orange or pink, or most frequently a dull bluish-green. Bright 

red-orange specks, presumably embryos, are present in most specimens at all times of the 

year. The sponges are predominantly beige in alcohol. 


SURFACE. Smooth to the touch, even. In life, the oscules have delicate, transparent, 

raised collars. The oscules are supplied by river-like systems of subdermal exhalant canals. 

The canals are often several millimeters in diameter and extend outward for as much 

as 1 cm. 

ECTOSOME. A thin, detachable dermal membrane is pierced by numerous ostia, 35- 

120 JU, in diameter. The partitions between adjacent pores are 2-5 p, in thickness and 

contain scattered microscleres. The pores are clustered into groups of 3-12 or more by 

dense bands of flesh, which are 10-30 //, in diameter. The skin is supported by the plumose 

ends of ascending tracts, but megascleres are not present in the dermal membrane. 

ENDOSOME. The skeletal framework consists of spicule tracts 20-100 p in diameter. The 

tracts occasionally branch or anastomose in the interior. They often subdivide in ascending 

to the surface. Microscleres are abundant throughout the sponge. The anisochelas are 

not localized by size. The ovoid embryos are 175-350 ^ in longest diameter. 

SPICULES, (a) Tylostyles, straight to curved, with narrow, somewhat ovoid heads and 

hastate points, 214-304 X 3-12 /A. The maximum diameter is at the mid-length of the 

shaft, (b) Sigmas, strongly curved, 30-50 x 1-3 /x. (c) Anisochelas, narrow and palmate, 

15-27 p. The shaft is about 2 /x in diameter. The upper palm has a maximum width of 

7 ft in larger spicules. It is usually equal to i/2 or more of the total length of the spicule.


Some of the smaller spicules have very short shafts. Individual analyses, lengths in microns, 

50 megascleres each, and 25 microscleres per category each: 

Tylostyles 

214-287 

234-275 

234-264 

228-287 

234-304 

Sigmas 

33-46 

30-42 

33-50 

30-44 

33-46 

Anisochelas 

16-25 

16-23 

17-27 

15-26 

15-23 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: North Carolina—Wells et al., 1960, p. 212 

(as Mycale cecilia) ?; Curasao, Arndt, 1927, p. 144 (as Mycale fistulata var. microsigmatosa). 

Tropical West Africa: Senegal—LeVi, 1952, p. 46 (as Mycale senegalensis). Hawaiian 

Is.—de Laubenfels, 1950b, p. 24 (as Mycale cecilia). Tropical Pacific America: 

Pacific coast of Panama—de Laubenfels, 1936b, p. 447 (as Mycale cecilia). 

DISCUSSION. The anisochelas were of a single size range in all of the Jamaican sponges. 

Continuous ranges have also been reported by Arndt (1927), de Laubenfels (1950b) 

and LeVi (1952). A spicule preparation obtained from one of de Laubenfels' Hawaiian 

specimens (U. S. National Museum number 22747) contains anisochelas 13-24 ^ in length. 

Wells et al., (1960) reported two distinct sizes of anisochelas. Their North Carolina material 

differs further from the Jamaican in having tangential dermal tylostyles and larger 

sigmas. The dermal membrane of USNM specimen 22747 contains only microscleres. 

De Laubenfels (1936b) reported two sizes of anisochelae in his original description of 

Mycale cecilia but noted the presence of intermediates in the legend for figure 41. 

LeVi (1959) has already suggested that Mycale senegalensis L£vi, 1952 might be conspecific 

with Arndt's M. fistulata microsigmatosa. The Curacao sponge is certainly not 

conspecific with the tubular Australian Mycale fistulata Hentschel, 1911. M. cecilia de 

Laubenfels cannot be distinguished from Arndt's variety and must be regarded as a 

synonym of M. microsigmatosa. 

Closely related species are known from Hawaii (M. maunakea de Laubenfels, 1951a) 

and Australia (M. phyllophila Hentschel, 1911). M. maunakea differs from M. microsigmatosa 

in having unusually narrow isochelas. Its spicule tracts neither branch nor 

anastomose. M. phyllophila, while very similar to the West Indian sponge, is geographically 

remote. M. microsigmatosa is therefore retained as a separate species. 

GENUS ZYGOMYCALE Topsent 

Zygomycale parishii (Bowerbank) Topsent 


Raphiodesma parishii Bowerbank, 1875, p. 283 [type: Straits of Malacca; Brit. Mus. (Nat. 

Hist.) (?)] 

Esperia parishii, Ridley, 1884, p. 436. 

Esperella parishii, Ridley and Dendy, 1887, p. 65; Dendy, 1905, p. 159. 

Zygomycale parishii, Topsent, 1929, p. 431; de Laubenfels, 1950b, p. 25; idem, 1956, p. 

3; Levi, 1956a, p. 14. 

Mycale parishii, Burton and Rao, 1932, p. 328. 

Esperia plumosa Carter, 1882, p. 298 (fide Burton and Rao, 1932); idem, 1887, p. 72. 

Esperella plumosa, Dendy, 1905, p. 159; idem, 1916a, p. 121; Dendy and Frederick, 1924, 

p. 503. 

Esperella ridleyi Lendenfeld, 1888, p. 211 (fide Burton and Rao, 1932); Hallmann, 1914, 

p. 402. 

Mycale isochela Hentschel, 1911, p. 297 (fide Burton and Rao, 1932.) 

Mycale pectinicola Hentschel, 1911, p. 299 (fide Burton and Rao, 1932.) 

HABITAT. Specimens were collected on pilings at Port Royal and also at Gunboat 

Beach on the peninsula between Port Royal and Kingston.


SHAPE. The sponge has a small, incrusting or irregularly massive base from which 

arise long, subdividing, anastomosing branches. Many specimens reach 20-25 cm in length. 

The branches are usually only a few millimeters in diameter but occasionally reach a 

width of 1.5-2 cm. 

COLOR. In life the peripheral layer may be tan, brown, grayish-brown, or purple. 

Toward the interior the color gradually becomes a dull yellow. In alcohol, the sponges 

may be pale yellow, beige, or partially purple. 

CONSISTENCY. Somewhat compressible but tough. 

SURFACE. The sponge is covered by a skin which is smooth to the touch. The overall 

appearance is uneven. In addition to numerous projections and branches, the skin is 

thrown into low elevations, ridges and conules. On the branches, the conules are sometimes 

several millimeters in height. The small scattered oscules are less than 1 mm in 

diameter. 

ECTOSOME. A pore-bearing membrane is supported by a reticulation of loose to compact 

spicule tracts, which are 30-50 p in diameter. The meshes are triangular, irregularly polygonal, 

or roughly rectangular in outline. Parallel bundles are frequently 150-250 p apart. 

The interstices are crowded with dermal pores separated by narrow walls often only 2-3 JX 

in width. Typical ostial sizes are 40 x 30, 70 x 60, and 88 X 40 ju. The partition walls 

contain infrequent microscleres, with isochelas being the most numerous category. Rosettes 

of large anisochelas are frequently present near the bundles. Interstitial megascleres are 

infrequent. 

ENDOSOME. The interior is microcavernous, particularly near the periphery. Subdermal 

spaces are occasionally present. The skeleton consists of a very irregular network of spicule 

tracts. The tracts are 40-200 p, in diameter. Spongin is sometimes present. At the periphery, 

tracts ascend to the surface, to end in slightly expanded tufts under the dermal membrane. 

Many megascleres are strewn in the flesh. Conspicuous rosettes of 6-10 large 

anisochelas are present in the periphery. The endosome contains an abundance of 

microscleres, with isochelas the most numerous, and large sigmas the least numerous 

category. Small sigmas may be very abundant or quite infrequent. Aspiculous ovoid 

embryos, about 300 X 400 p as seen in section, were found in specimens collected in 

February and June. 

SPICULES, (a) Subtylostyles, occasionally becoming styles, with narrow elongate heads, 

curved to undulating shafts, and gradually narrowing apices, 217-334 x 3-12 /x. The 

maximum diameter is at the mid-length of the shaft. A few megascleres have abnormal 

swellings and projections, (b) Large palmate anisochelas, 37-67 X 2 p shaft diameter. 

They are similar in shape to the anisochelas of Mycale laevis. The width of the upper 

end is 15-20 p; that of the lower end 10-12 p. A typical spicule 48 microns long has an 

upper tooth of 24 p, a lower end of 9 p and a tooth gap of 15 p. The spicules occur 

singly or, more frequently, in rosettes near the periphery of the endosome. (c) Small 

palmate anisochelas, 13-28 tt long. The maximum width at the upper end is about 6 /*,. 

A spicule 17 p long has an upper tooth of 10 p, a lower end of 4 p, and tooth gap of 3 ju,. 

(d) Palmate isochelas, 10-13 p long. The cap-shaped ends are about 3/x in width. Very 

abundant, (e) Large sigmas, with sharply recurved ends, 54-106 x 2-7 p.. They are very 

abundant, (f) Small slender sigmas, 15-42 X 1-2 p. Varied in abundance, (g) Toxas, often 

in toxodragmata of several spicules, 22-107 X 2 p. They have a shallow, gradually curved 

arch, and flattened to slightly recurved ends, (h) Raphides, often in trichodragmata, 23- 

53 X 1-2 JU,. All categories are present in the seven analysed specimens. Individual analyses, 

lengths in microns, 50 megascleres per sponge, 25 microscleres of each category per 

sponge: 

Large Small 

Styles Anisochelas Anisochelas Isochelas 

236-326 43-67 13-28 10-13 

234-334 46-54 16-28 10-13 

217-314 45-52 17-22 10-13 

239-290 37-52 17-20 10-12


Large 

Sigmas 

61-91 

88-106 

54r-90 

54-85 

Small 

Sigmas 

20-33 

16-42 

16-34 

15-34 

Toxas 

28-80 

33-107 

27-77 

22-89 

Raphides 

23-53 

30-40 

24-44 

24-34 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: Brazil—de Laubenfels, 1956, p. 3. Indo- 

Pacific: Madagascar—L£vi, 1956a, p. 14; Mauritius, Carter, 1882, p. 298 (as Esperia 

plumosa); Okhamandal, India—Dendy, 1916a, p. 121 (as Esperella plumosa); Ceylon— 

Dendy, 1905, p. 159 (as Esperella parishii); Dendy, 1905, p. 159 (as Esperella plumosa); 

Mergui Archipelago, off Burma—Carter, 1887, p. 72 (as Esperia plumosa); Malaya— 

Bowerbank, 1875, p. 283 (as Raphiodesma parishii); Burton and Rao, 1932, p. 328 (as 

Mycale parishii); Philippines—Ridley and Dendy, 1887, p. 65 (as Esperella parishii); 

Australia—Ridley, 1884, p. 436 (as Esperia parishii); Lendenfeld, 1888, p. 211 (as Esperella 

ridleyi), Hentschel, 1911, p. 297 (as Mycale isochela), Hentschel, 1911, p. 299 (as Mycale 

pectinicola); Dendy and Frederick, 1924, p. 503 (as Esperella plumosa); Hawaiian Is.— 

de Laubenfels, 1950b, p. 25. 

DISCUSSION. The Jamaican specimens are the first West Indian record of Zygomycale 

parishii. Except for de Laubenfels* specimen from Brazil, all previous records have come 

from the Pacific and Indian Oceans. 

De Laubenfels (1950b) and Burton and Rao (1932), have concluded that all of the 

species included in the taxonomic summary are conspecific with the type-species Zygomycale 

parishii (Bowerbank). Their conclusions are probably correct, as all of the supposed 

species are certainly very similar in appearance and architecture. Zygomycale parishii has 

seven types of microscleres. The other species are, in large part, distinguished only by the 

lack of one or more of those spicule types. In size and form, their microscleres are similar 

to the corresponding ones of Z. parishii. Burton and Rao (1932) concluded from the 

literature and their own material that Z. parishii is a highly variable species, in which 

individuals often lacked one or more of the seven kinds of microsclere. De Laubenfels, 

however, reported no such variation in his Hawaiian specimens, nor did mine vary in 

spicule complement. 

A review of the literature suggests that the apparent differences between specimens 

and supposed species may be due to microsclere categories being overlooked or taken for 

developmental stages. Ridley (1884), for example, considered small anisochelas and sigmas 

as the early stages of the larger spicules. Dendy (1916a) noted that he had apparently 

made the same assumption in his earlier discussions of Esperella plumosa. Spicule types 

have certainly been overlooked in many studies. Hallmann found several additional 

categories in the type of Esperella ridleyi Lendenfeld. He found no trace of the rare 

diancistras attributed to the sponge by Lendenfeld. 

Esperia plumosa was established by Carter (1882) for a specimen from Mauritius 

which had isochelas, two (?) sizes of anisochela, one size of sigma, and toxas. In 1887, 

Carter reported a Burmese specimen which had trichodragmata in addition to the spicules 

of the Mauritius sponge. Dendy (1905) examined Carter's type and additional specimens 

from Ceylon. He recorded toxodragmata (but not trichodragmata or small anisochelas) 

in all the specimens. In 1916, as mentioned above, he amended his earlier account by 

listing small sigmas and anisochelas for his specimens from India and also for the 

earlier specimens from Ceylon, and Carter's type. He concluded (1916a, p. 122) that 

"the constancy in form and size in all the specimens I have examined, including the 

type, is very remarkable." Burton and Rao, however, were unable to find rosettes in one 

of Dendy's specimens and toxas in another. They did find previously unrecorded trichodragmata 

in his specimens. Adding positive reports, we find that Dendy's examples 

have all seven kinds of microsclere, and Carter's type at least six. 

Bowerbank's Z. parishii, although the type species, is poorly known. His small specimen 

was apparently growing over a myxillid, and the spicules of both were included 

in the original description (cf. Ridley 1884). Ridley concluded, presumably incorrectly,


that the toxas mentioned by Bowerbank belonged to the myxillid. He and Dendy (1887) 

attributed a Philippine specimen to parishii on the assumption that neither had toxas. 

Upon re-examination, Dendy (1905) found toxas in the Challenger specimen. 

Mycale pectinicola and M. isochela Hentschel differ from a typical Z. parishii only 

by the apparent absence of toxas in the first species, and of the larger forms of chelas 

and sigmas in the second. Hentschel (1911, p. 301) indeed suspected that all the isochelate 

mycalids known to him were conspecific. 

Mycale crassissima (Dendy, 1905) is considered as a synonymy of Z. parishii by de 

Laubenfels (1950b, p. 27). The original description, which erroneously included isochelas, 

has been corrected by Hentschel (1912) and Dendy (1916b, p. 55). 

GENUS ULOSA de Laubenfels 

Ulosa hispida n. sp. 

(Text-fig. 10) 

Fig. 10.—Spicules of Ulosa hispida. Styles. YPM 5043. Holotype. 

HOLOTYPE. YPM 5043. Mangrove boat channels, Feb. 21, 1961. 

HABITAT. Common on mangrove roots near Port Royal. 

SHAPE. The sponge spreads over mangrove roots as an incrustation which is 1-3 mm 

in total thickness. The sponge has a very uneven outline, with numerous low, irregular 

projections. 

COLOR. The living sponges are a light orange. They fade to a pale beige in alcohol. 

CONSISTENCY. Soft, slimy, delicate. 

SURFACE. The surface is uneven and hispid. Numerous spicules project singly beyond 

the surface for most of their length. In life, thin delicate collared oscules can be seen. 

ECTOSOME. No dermal specialization. 

ENDOSOME. The skeleton is a reticulation of slender spongin fibers cored by smooth 

styles. The fibers are 15-90 /x in diameter and contain only 1-4 spicules at any one place. 

The fibers branch acutely and occasionally anastomose. They are frequently joined by 

short aspiculous connective bonds, 15-30 p in diameter. The projecting spicules arise 

from the fibers. They do not differ in form or size range from those of the interior. 

Some of the projecting spicules are partially or even entirely covered by a thin film 

of spongin. The flesh contains some spicule debris and a considerable quantity of fine 

sand. No styles are present in the flesh. 

SPICULES. Styles, straight to slightly curved, gradually pointed, 493-1193 X 5-12 /*. 

Individual analyses, lengths in microns: 503-1193 (50); 515-1070 (75); 493-898 (50); 562- 

1053 (50); 573-971 (50); 507-1135 (50).* A great variety of spicules, including oxeas of a 

wide range of sizes, were observed. Most of the spicules could easily be referred to common 

mangrove species. The spicules were most abundant in spicule preparations for 

which mangrove twigs were scraped. Careful study leads to the conclusion that only the 

styles are proper to the sponge. 

DISCUSSION. The species is provisionally placed in the genus Ulosa, which has been 

utilized by de Laubenfels for sponges in which the spicule complement consists only of 

smooth styles. (Cf. Ulosa rhoda de Laubenfels, 1957, and Ulosa spongia de Laubenfels, 

1954a). De Laubenfels (1936a, p. 126) originally defined the genus as having coring styles 

and a mixture of styles and strongyles in the flesh. However, Topsent (1930, p. 27) 

redescribed the type-species (Spongia angulosa Lamarck) as having numerous styles, and 

a feeble number of oxeas. Strongylacidon intermedia Burton (1934, p. 550), with coring 

strongyles which are occasionally modified to styles, was also placed in the genus by


de Laubenfels. Burton's species is probably not congeneric with any of the species now in 

Ulosa. 

The present species differs sharply from the type-species in appearance and spicule 

size. It does seem congeneric with U. spongia and U. rhoda de Laubenfels. The distinctive 

characters of the Jamaican sponge include the large size of its spicules, the abundance 

of foreign matter, the spongin-rich fibers, and the hispidation of the surface by single 

spicules. 

ORDER HALICHONDRIDA Vosmaer 1887, sensu de Laubenfels, 1936a 

FAMILY HALICHONDRIIDAE Gray, sensu de Laubenfels, 1936a 

GENUS HALICHONDRIA Gray 

Halichondria melanadocia de Laubenfels 


Halichondria melanadocia de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 133 [type: Dry Tortugas; USNM no. 

22463]; Wells et al., 1960, p. 225; Little, 1963, p. 54. 

HABITAT. Abundant on pilings and mangrove roots near Port Royal. 

SHAPE. Specimens on mangrove roots often spread horizontally along the roots, attaining 

a thickness of one to several centimeters. Others are irregularly massive, lobate 

or even partly ramose. 

COLOR. The exterior is grayish-black. The interior has a very characteristic yellowishgreen 

tinge. In alcohol, the specimens are dark gray to nearly black with a drab interior. 


SURFACE. Smooth to the touch. Projecting lobes and low oscular chimneys often make 

the surface rather uneven. The oscules, which also may be flush with the surface, are 

2-3 mm in diameter. They have a membranous, irregularly outlined rim. 

ECTOSOME. The detachable dermal skin contains a tangential reticulation of compact 

spicule bundles, 35-130 p in diameter. The interstices are irregularly polygonal in shape, 

and 100-200 ^ in maximum width. They contain a few scattered spicules and one to 

several dermal pores. Typical ostial sizes are 40 x 30, 90 X 60, and 145 x 90 p. The 

subdermal channels are very extensive and often reach 1 mm in depth. They open widely 

into macroscopic inhalant canals which run toward the interior. The thick partitions 

between the subdermal spaces are fleshy extensions of the endosome, 300-700 fi in diameter. 

They contain scattered spicules and also spicule tracts which run obliquely towards 

the surface. 

ENDOSOME. The interior is cavernous and confused. The thickly strewn spicules are 

occasionally grouped into loosely organized tracts. 

SPICULES. Oxeas, straight to considerably curved, 134-802 X 3-20 p. The ends may be 

gradually pointed, somewhat hastate, irregular in outline, or even stair-stepped. The 

spicules are not localized in the sponge by size. Individual analyses, lengths in microns, 

50 spicules each: 140-656; 164-686; 134-597; 134-691; 141-743; 152-802. 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: North Carolina—Wells et al., 1960, p. 225 

(?); Dry Tortugas, Florida—de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 133; West Coast, Florida—Little, 

1963, p. 54. 

DISCUSSION. The dark Jamaican Halichondria agrees closely with H. melanadocia in 

structure and external appearance. De Laubenfels' brief description is at least not inconsistent 

with the dermal structure found in my specimens. It would be of great interest 

to know if the tangentially arranged dermal spicules of his sponge are merely strewn, 

or grouped into bundles. The fetid odor mentioned by de Laubenfels did not occur in 

my sponges. A spicule preparation obtained from the type contains oxeas 116-507 fi in 

length. Most of the spicules are straight and hastate. Their ends are occasionally irregular 

or stair-stepped. The Jamaican Halichondria is therefore provisionally considered as 

conspecific with that of de Laubenfels. 

The North Carolina record listed by Wells et al. concerns a thin brown conulose 

incrustation. Further specimens will be needed to confirm the identification.

SYSTEMATIGS 58 

Halichondria magniconulosa n. sp. 

(Text-fig. 11; plate V, fig. 1) 

Fig. 11.—Spicules of Halichondria magniconulosa. Oxeas. YPM 5039. Holotype. 

HOLOTYPE. YPM 5039. Rasta's Wreck, June 24, 1961. 

HABITAT. Several specimens were found on pilings at Port Royal. 

SHAPE. Massive to lobate, reaching a height of as much as 11 cm. 

COLOR. The surface and interior of the living sponge is yellow. In alcohol, exposed 

surfaces become mottled grayish-brown to dark brown. The interior becomes a dull 

yellow. 

CONSISTENCY. The sponge is tough and only slightly compressible. 

SURFACE. The skin is wrinkled, but smooth to the touch. It can be detached only 

with difficulty. The surface is frequently thrown into thick, sharp-pointed conules. The 

conules are 1-7 mm in height, several millimeters in width at the base, and typically 

about 1 mm in thickness. They may be sparsely scattered or spaced only a few millimeters 

apart. In the two smaller specimens, the infrequent oscules are 1-3 mm in diameter. The 

largest specimen has two apical vents, each being 1 cm in diameter. 

ECTOSOME. The dermal membrane receives the terminal tufts of radial spicule tracts. 

It also contains rather sparsely scattered tangential spicules of all sizes. Small spicules are 

particularly abundant. The dermal pores range in size from 40 x 30-100 X 60 /x. They 

are divided into ill-defined groups by bands of flesh which are 15-60 p in diameter. The 

spicules within the partitions may be scattered or organized into loose bundles. Some 

areas of the skin seem to lack pores. 

ENDOSOME. The interior skeleton includes a feltwork of scattered spicules and also 

spicule bundles, 30-100 p in diameter. The well-developed radial tracts end in dermal 

tufts. Numerous spicule bundles enter each conule. Subdermal spaces are infrequent. 

SPICULES. Oxeas, mostly straight, occasionally slightly curved, 108-369 x 3-7 p. They 

may be fusiform or somewhat hastate. Small spicules (123-166 p) and large spicules (290- 

340 fi) are particularly common but intermediates do occur. The spicules are not localized 

by size within the sponge. Individual analyses, lengths in microns, 50 spicules each: 116- 

363*; 108-348; 123-369. 

DISCUSSION. The massive shape and thick conules of the Jamaican yellow Halichondria 

separate it from both H. panicea and H. bowerbanki. The dermis of the 

Jamaican sponge resembles that of H. bowerbanki, but is less well developed. Many of 

the spicules seen in strips of the skin are clearly the ends of radial bundles. Subdermal 

cavities are quite restricted in my specimens. The Jamaican sponges have a much lower 

limit of spicule size than either North Carolina or New England summer specimens of 

H. bowerbanki. In addition, the smaller spicules are very abundant in my material. 

The marked darkening in alcohol is a striking characteristic of the new species. H. 

bowerbanki, by contrast, becomes a pale yellowish-green in alcohol.


ORDER HADROMERIDA Topsent, 1898b 

FAMILY SPIRASTRELLIDAE Ridley and Dendy, sensu de Laubenfels, 1936a 

GENUS SPIRASTRELLA Schmidt 

Spirastrella coccinea (Duchassaing and Michelotti) de Laubenfels 

Thalysias coccinea Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 84 [type: St. Thomas; Brit. Mus. 

(Nat. Hist.) reg. no. 28.11.12.46.] 

Spirastrella coccinea, de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 143; idem, 1949, p. 19; idem, 1950a, p. 96; 

Dickinson, 1945, p. 36; Wells et al., 1960, p. 228; Little, 1963, p. 55. 

Spirastrella cunctatrix Schmidt, 1868, p. 17; Carter, 1879a, p. 357; idem, 1881a, p. 384; 

idem, 1882, p. 351; idem, 1886, p. 112 (fide Dendy, 1897); idem, 1887, p. 188; Topsent, 

1894a, p. 44; idem, 1918, p. 544; idem, 1925a, p. 630; idem, 1938, p. 21; Dendy, 1897, 

p. 202, 253; Arndt, 1927, p. 140; Burton, 1936a, p. 22; de Laubenfels, 1936b, p. 461; 

idem, 1956, p. 2; LeVi, 1957, p. 204; idem, 1959, p. 124; Sara, 1958a, p. 221; idem, 

1960a, p. 451; Sara and Siribelli, 1960, p. 39; Sara, 1961a, p. 34. 

Chondrilla phyllodes Schmidt, 1870, p. 26 (fide Topsent, 1918); Topsent, 1889, p. 32; 

Carter, 1890, p. 565. 

Chondrillina phyllodes, de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 182. 

Spirastrella decumbens, Topsent (not Ridley, 1884, p. 470), 1897, p. 440 (fide Topsent, 

1918.) 

Spirastrella mollis Verrill, 1907, p. 344 (fide de Laubenfels, 1950a.) 

Spirastrella purpurea, Vosmaer, 1911a, p. 9, 11 [partim]; idem, 1933, p. 416 [partim]; 

(not Alcyonium purpureum Lamarck, 1815.) 

HABITAT. Drunkenman's Cay; on rocks. 

SHAPE. Incrusting, about 1 mm thick. 

COLOR. One specimen was dull orange in life and is a pale grayish-brown in alcohol. 

The second was brown in life and is a pale brown in preservative. 

CONSISTENCY. Tough, slightly compressible. 

SURFACE. Smooth to the touch; even to very slightly wrinkled. In the living sponge, 

river-like systems of subdermal canals lead to small oscules. Neither vents nor canals are 

evident in preserved material. 

ECTOSOME. No detachable skin. Spirasters, mostly of small size, form a cortical layer 

40-100 ii in thickness. Bands of microscleres inclose dermal pores which are about 30 /*, in 

diameter. 

ENDOSOME. Numerous tylostyles are strewn in confusion. A few spicule tracts are 

present, particularly in the originally brown specimen. The tracts are often obliquely 

oriented. They end in plumose tufts at the surface. Spirasters, mostly of large size, are 

abundant in the flesh. 

SPICULES, (a) Tylostyles, pin-like, with long, straight, gradually pointed shafts and 

distinct heads, 281-480 x 3-12 fi (typically 5-9 ^t). The heads may be ovoid, lobate, or 

occasionally spherical. They are about 9 p in diameter, (b) Spirasters, prominently spined, 

7-58 x 2-7 //,. The microscleres have a wide variety of forms, which are all connected 

by intermediates. The smaller spicules typically have a slender, slightly curved shaft 

which bears spines 2-3 /A in height. Some are amphiasters, with spines grouped at the 

ends of a straight shaft. Most of the larger spicules have a stout curved axis, with one 

or two bends. Their conical spines are 5-7 fx or even as much as 13 /x in height. Some 

have a rather short axis with strong spines and resemble the spicules of Diplastrella 

bistellata (Schmidt) Topsent. A few of the endosomal spirasters have a long, thin axis 

and low spines. They are 20-25 x 2 fi, and have spines 2 ^ in height. Individual analyses, 

lengths in microns, 50 spicules per category: 

Tylostyles Spirasters 

334-445 7-47 

281-480 8-58 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: North Carolina—Wells et al., 1960, p. 228; 

Dry Tortugas, Florida—de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 143; West Coast, Florida—Little, 1963,


p. 55; Gulf of Campeche, Mexico—Topsent, 1889, p. 32 (as Chondrilla phyllodes); Atlantic 

coast of Panama—de Laubenfels, 1936b, p. 461 (as Spirastrella cunctatrix); Brazil— 

de Laubenfels, 1956, p. 2 (as Spirastrella cunctatrix); Bermuda—Verrill, 1907, p. 344 (as 

Spirastrella mollis), de Laubenfels, 1950a, p. 96; Bahamas—de Laubenfels, 1949, p. 19; 

Antilles—Schmidt, 1870, p. 26 (as Chondrilla phyllodes); St. Thomas, W. I.—Duchassaing 

and Michelotti, 1864, p. 84 (as Thalysias coccinea); Curasao—Arndt, 1927, p. 140 (as 

Spirastrella cunctatrix); Fernando Noronha, tropical South Atlantic—Carter, 1890, p. 

565 (as Chondrilla phyllodes)} 

Mediterranean—Atlantic—Ligurean Sea, Italy—Sara, 1958a, p. 221 (as Spirastrella 

cunctatrix); Ischia, Italy—Sara, 1960a, p. 451 (as Spirastrella cunctatrix); Naples, Italy— 

Sara and Siribelli, 1960, p. 39 (as Spirastrella cunctatrix), Topsent, 1925a, p. 630, (as 

Spirastrella cunctatrix); Adriatic Sea—Sara, 1961a, p. 34 (as Spirastrella cunctatrix); 

Israel—LeVi, 1957, p. 204 (as Spirastrella cunctatrix); Mediterranean off Egypt—Burton, 

1936a, p. 22 (as Spirastrella cunctatrix), Tunisia—Topsent, 1894a, p. 44 (as Spirastrella 

cunctatrix); Algeria—Schmidt, 1868, p. 17, and Carter, 1882, p. 351 (both as Spirastrella 

cunctatrix); Cyprus—Schmidt, 1868, p. 17 (as Spirastrella cunctatrix); West Africa— 

Topsent, 1918, p. 544, and LeVi, 1959, p. 124 (both as Spirastrella cunctatrix). 

Indo-Pacific: Indian Ocean—Mauritius—Carter, 1879a, p. 357, and 1882, p. 351 (both 

as Spirastrella cunctatrix); Mergui Archipelago, off Burma—Carter, 1887, p. 188 (as 

Spirastrella cunctatrix). 

Pacific Ocean: East Indies—Topsent, 1897, p. 440 (as Spirastrella decumbens) and 

Vosmaer, 1911a, p. 9, 11 (as Spirastrella purpurea) partim; Australia—Carter, 1879a, p. 

357, 1881a, p. 384, 1882, p. 351 (all as Spirastrella cunctatrix)}. 

Tropical Pacific America: Gulf of California—Dickinson, 1945, p. 36. 

DISCUSSION. The spirasters of the Jamaican sponges are similar in range of size and 

shape to the microscleres figured by Topsent (1918, p. 543, 545) for Spirastrella cunctatrix 

Schmidt. Topsent later verified his identification by comparison with Schmidt's type. 

(cf. Topsent, 1938). S. cunctatrix, along with its synonym Chondrilla phyllodes Schmidt, 

has been recorded from the West Indies by Topsent (1889, 1918) and Arndt (1927). 

Thalysias coccinea Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, was originally described as a 

red incrusting sponge with short-rayed stelliform spicules. De Laubenfels (1936a), who 

had apparently examined the type, transferred the species to Spirastrella. He distinguished 

S. coccinea from S. cunctatrix largely by the smaller size of the spirasters in the 

former species, (cf. de Laubenfels, 1956, p. 2). De Laubenfels did, however, report rather 

large spirasters in a Bermudan sponge attributed to S. coccinea. (cf. de Laubenfels, 1950a). 

An examination of material identified as 5. coccinea by de Laubenfels suggests that 

S. cunctatrix and S. coccinea are conspecific. The specimens include one from Bermuda 

in the Yale Peabody Museum (YPM 714). It contains spirasters 13-34 ^ in length. U. S. 

National Museum specimen 22498, collected by de Laubenfels in the Dry Tortugas, has 

spirasters 10-34 p in length. The two sponges are indistinguishable from Sv cunctatrix 

and the Jamaican sponges in architecture and range of spiraster form. Most of the 

spirasters in one Jamaican specimen (having an overall size range of 7-47 fx) are 35 ^ or 

less in length. The observed differences in maximum length are almost certainly individual 

variations. S. cunctatrix is therefore considered to be a synonym of the earliernamed 

S. coccinea. 

Carter's Indo-Pacific records require verification. His material included massive specimens. 

Their spirasters, as figured by Vosmaer (1911a), are not dissimilar to those of 

S. cunctatrix. Dendy (1887) considered S. cunctatrix variety robusta Carter, 1886 to be 

specifically distinct from the Mediterranean S. cunctatrix. He transferred Carter's variety 

porcata (1886) to another species. 

GENUS ANTHOSIGMELLA Topsent 

Anthosigmella varians (Duchassaing and Michelotti) de Laubenfels 

(Plate VII, figs. 4, 5) 

Thalysias varians Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 86 [type: St. Thomas; Brit. Mus. 

(Nat. Hist.) reg. no. 28.11.12.48.]


Anthosigmella varians, de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 143; idem, 1949, p. 19; idem, 1953a, p. 

539; idem, 1954a, p. 203; Little, 1963, p. 55. 

[non] Anthosigmella varians, Wells et al., 1960, p. 228. 

Suberites tuberculosus Schmidt, 1870, p. 46 (fide Topsent, 1920.) 

Suberites coronarius Carter (not Carter, 1887, p. 74.), 1882, p. 352 (fide de Laubenfels, 

1936a.) 

Spirastrella coronaria, Topsent, 1894, p. 26. 

Anthosigmella coronarius, Topsent, 1918, p. 557; idem, 1920a, p. 30. 

[non] Cliona coronaria, Dendy, 1916a, p. 132. 

Papillina arcuata Topsent, 1889, p. 35 (fide Topsent, 1894.) 

HABITAT. Several specimens were dredged from mussel beds in about 10 feet of 

water near the Kingston side of the Port Royal mangrove thickets. One specimen was 

collected at a similar depth near the cays. 

SHAPE. Irregularly massive. 

COLOR. The upper surface is brownish, the lower one cream to brown. The interior 

is a drab yellow. In alcohol, the sponges are beige with yellow, green or rust-red tinges. 

CONSISTENCY. Somewhat rubbery, but rather stiff. 

SURFACE. The sponge may have occasional irregular ridges and projections. Most of 

the surface is covered by small, flattened, welt-like tubercles, about 1 mm in diameter. 

At a magnification of 60 x > the surface is hispid with projecting spicules. Small oscules 

were detected in one specimen. 

ECTOSOME. The deeply pigmented periphery is packed with tylostyles, mostly with 

points directed outward. 

ENDOSOME. Microcavernous. The megascleres are thickly strewn around the canals. 

Occasional subdermal spaces, 175-500 p, deep, are present under the dermal palisade. 

SPICULES, (a) Tylostyles with well-developed oblong heads, slightly constricted necks 

and somewhat curved shafts, tapering to a point, 194-467 X 3-18 /x. (b) Anthosigmas, 

with knob-like spines on the ends and convex side of a slightly to strongly curved shaft, 

13-25 x 2 p. A few spicules are amphiasters, and a very few tend toward the spirastral 

form. The microscleres are abundant in all specimens. Individual analyses, lengths in 

microns: 

Tylostyles Anthosigmas 

269-451 (70) 13-25 (50) 

217-433 (50) 15-25 (50) 

19^-467 (50) 15-25 (50) 

182-439 (50) 15-23 (50) 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: Florida—Schmidt, 1870, p. 46 (as Suberites 

tuberculosus); de Laubenfels, 1949, p. 19; West Coast, Florida—de Laubenfels, 1953a, 

p. 539; West Coast, Florida—Little, 1963, p. 55; Campeche, Mexico—Topsent, 1889, p. 

35 (as Papillina arcuata); Honduras—Carter, 1882, p. 352 (as Suberites coronarius)) Bahamas—Carter, 

1882, p. 352 (as Suberites coronarius)) de Laubenfels, 1949, p. 19; Jamaica—Carter, 

1882, p. 352, (as Suberites coronarius); Lesser Antilles—Guadeloupe, St. 

Barthelemy, St. Thomas, Tortole—Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 86 (as Thalysias 

varians). 

DISCUSSION. De Laubenfels (1953a, p. 539-540) has reported considerable variation in 

the presence or absence of microscleres and in the relative abundance of anthosigmas 

and typical spirasters. None of the other investigators of the species have reported such 

variation. If all of de Laubenfels' specimens are conspecific, the species presents us with 

an interesting intermediate between the spirastrellids and the suberitids. Wells et al. 

(1960) have assigned very thin incrustations devoid of microscleres to A. varians. It is far 

more likely that they are a species of Prosuberites. 

Anthosigmella varians has had a complicated taxonomic history. It was first recognizably 

described by Carter. Topsent transferred it to Spirastrella in 1894 on the basis

SYSTEMATIGS 57 

of the presence of microscleres. He concluded that his Papillina arcuata of 1889 was 

conspecific with Carter's species. In 1918 he established the genus Anthosigmella for 

spirastrellids with the peculiar microscleres designated as anthosigmas. De Laubenfels 

(1936a, p. 143) concluded, presumably after examining Duchassaing and Michelotti's 

type, that Carter's sponge was conspecific with the earlier Thalysias varians. The sponge 

figured on plate 17 of Duchassaing and Michelotti's paper could well be the present 

species. Finally, Topsent (1920a) discovered anthosigmas in the type of Schmidt's 

Suberites tuberculosus and placed it into synonymy with Carter's species. 

Thiele (1902) and Annandale (1915) have shown that Carter's Burmese sponge (1887) 

is a Cliona. Dendy's Indian record is probably the same species, Cliona orientalis 

Thiele, 1903. 

GENUS SPHECIOSPONGIA Marshall 

Spheciospongia vesparia (Lamarck) Marshall 

Alcyonium vesparium Lamarck, 1815, p. 78 [type: Antilles; Mus. nat. Hist. nat. Paris.] 

Thalysias vesparia, Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 85. 

Spheciospongia vesparia, Marshall, 1892, p. 32; de Laubenfels, 1932b, p. 50; idem, 1936a, 

p. 140; idem, 1947, p. 34; idem, 1949, p. 18; idem, 1953a, p. 536; Topsent, 1933a, p. 

30; Wells et al., 1960, p. 227; Little, 1963, p. 55. 

Papillina cribrosa Schmidt, 1870, p. 48 (fide de Laubenfels, 1932b.) 

Hymeniacidon pulvinatus Bowerbank, 1872, p. 126 (fide de Laubenfels, 1932b.) 

Spirastrella pulvinata, Ridley, 1884a, p. 187. 

[non] Spirastrella pulvinata, Arndt, 1927, p. 139. 

Spongia dysoni Carter, 1879a, p. 348 (fide de Laubenfels, 1932b); idem, 1882, p. 350. 

Spirastrella purpurea, Vosmaer, 1911a, p. 6 [partim.] 

Spirastrella andrewsii George and Wilson, 1919, p. 135 (fide de Laubenfels, 1932b.) 

Poterion atlantica George and Wilson, 1919, p. 139 (fide de Laubenfels, 1932b.) 

HABITAT. The single specimen was collected by Dr. T. F. Goreau of the University 

of the West Indies in 20 feet of water offshore from Port Royal. He has seen numerous 

specimens in deeper Jamaican waters. 

SHAPE. A large, massive cake-shaped sponge, about one foot in diameter. Only a few 

small pieces of the sponge were successfully preserved. 

COLOR. The living sponge is entirely black. In alcohol, the fragments become gray. 

CONSISTENCY. Almost woody when first collected. The fragments are rather tough and 

incompressible. 

SURFACE. Uneven, with many low, gradually rising elevations. The large oscules (8 

and 15 mm wide in the fragments) are not raised above the surface. Numerous openings, 

1-1.5 mm in diameter, are scattered singly, and also arranged in sieve areas. Each sieve 

has about 20-25 openings. No microscopic pores could be detected. 

ECTOSOME. The cortex is a thick feltwork of tylostyles and overlies extensive subdermal 

spaces. Spirasters are abundant. 

ENDOSOME. Very cavernous, with the smooth-lined canals often reaching 1 mm in 

diameter. The partition walls contain a thick feltwork of tylostyles. Microscleres are common 

only in the canal linings. 

SPICULES, (a) Tylostyles, with small, nearly circular heads, straight to considerably 

curved shafts, and gradually narrowing points, 156-472 X 5-17 ^. (75 spicules), (b) 

Spirasters, occasionally without bends, but usually zigzagged with 1-6 (typically 3-4) bends 

in the shaft, 12-30 ^ in length x 2-3 //, in total diameter. (50 spicules). The numerous low 

spines, no more than 2 /x in height, are arranged spirally in at least the larger spicules. 

The spines are most prominent at the apices of the bends. 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: North Carolina—George and Wilson, 1919, 

p. 135 (as Spirastrella andrewsi) and p. 139 (as Poterion atlantica), de Laubenfels, 1947, 

p. 34, Wells et al., 1960, p. 227. Florida—Schmidt, 1870, p. 48 (as Papillina cribrosa), 

Dry Tortugas, Florida—de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 140; West Coast, Florida—de Laubenfels, 

1953a, p. 536 and Little, 1963, p. 55; British Honduras—Bowerbank, 1872, p. 126 (as


Hymeniacidon pulvinatus), Carter, 1879a, p. 348 (as Spongia dysoni); Bahamas—de Laubenfels, 

1949, p. 18; Jamaica—George and Wilson, 1919, p. 135 (as Spirastrella andrewsi); 

Guadeloupe, St. Croix—Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 85 (as Thalysias vesparia). 

DISCUSSION. The specimens of Lamarck and Schmidt have been reexamined by both 

Topsent (1933a) and de Laubenfels (1936a). The two species of George and Wilson have 

been examined by de Laubenfels and by Wells et al. These authors presumably have 

found microscleres in Poterion atlantica. Carter's Spongia dysoni Bowerbank apparently 

refers to the sponge which Bowerbank called Hymeniacidon pulvinatus. Carter 

took the name from a label in the British Museum, but Bowerbank never used it in his 

publications. The Curacao sponge assigned to Bowerbank's species by Arndt (1927) is 

a Spirastrella with two sizes of spirasters. 

De Laubenfels considered the Bermudan Spheciospongia as a distinct species, S. othella. 

It has enormous raised oscules, patches of yellow both on the surface and in the interior, 

and somewhat smaller tylostyles than S. vesparia. De Laubenfels has, however, reported 

oscules of as much as 7 cm in diameter (raised?) in Bahaman examples of S. vesparia. 

In 1953, he reported an entirely yellow Spheciospongia with a spiculation "exactly that 

of 5. vesparia." (1953a, p. 537). More specimens will be needed to clarify the number of 

species of Spheciospongia in the West Indies. 

GENUS DIPLASTRELLA Topsent 

Diplastrella megastellata n. sp. 

Fig. 12.—Spicules of Diplastrella megastellata. A. Tylostyles. B. Two forms of spherasters. C. 

Small asters. B, C: scale I. A: scale II. YPM 5044. Holotype. 

HOLOTYPE. YPM 5044. Maiden Cay, Aug. 12, 1961. 

HABITAT. The single specimen was collected at Maiden Cay in a few feet of water. 

SHAPE. A horizontally spreading crust with a maximum thickness of 1 mm. The sponge 

covered approximately a square foot of the coral substratum.


COLOR. The sponge is a dull brownish olive and retains that color in preservative. 

CONSISTENCY. Slightly compressible. 

SURFACE. Even. Under a magnification of 14 x, the surface appears hispid and slightly 

uneven. No oscules could be detected. 

ECTOSOME. Little specialization. The spirasters are densely crowded in a peripheral 

layer of the sponge, 70-150 ^ in thickness. Many tylostyles project beyond the flesh. 

ENDOSOME. In many places, only a single layer of tylostyles is present in the sponge. 

Most of the megascleres are erect. Spirasters and their derivatives are numerous throughout 

the sponge. They gradually become more abundant toward the surface. A thin layer, 

often a single row, of spherasters covers the substratum. The spherastral layer is present 

in all parts of the sponge. The flesh contains conspicuous spherical cells 7 LI in diameter. 

SPICULES, (a) Tylostyles, robust, straight to very slightly curved, 253-841 x 9-26 /x 

(range of length of 100 spicules). The prominent rounded heads are wider than long, 

and their diameter exceeds that of the shaft, (b) Asters, of varied form, 9-20 LL in total 

diameter (50 spicules). The most common form has 4-5 branching rays arising from an 

unexpanded central region. Many spicules are spirasters with short, slightly curved, 

entirely spined shafts. Terminally spined amphiasters also occur. A few large spicules 

are nearly spherastral, and resemble the microscleres described for Diplastrella by 

Topsent (1918). The spines and rays are 1-7 /x in height, (c) Spherasters, 29-79 fx in 

diameter (50 spicules). Smaller spicules have short simple rays of equal length. Larger 

spherasters have rays of unequal length and varied form. Their shorter rays are usually 

blunt-tipped. Their longer rays have an irregular outline, and may be extended into 

several blunt, roughened knobs or projections. The rays sometimes resemble an arm with 

fingers. The spicules are limited to a basal crust. 

DISCUSSION. The present species is closely related to Diplastrella ornata Rutzler and 

Sara (1962), described from the Mediterranean coast of Italy, and the Adriatic. Both 

species have large branching spherasters concentrated in a layer next to the substratum. 

The Jamaican sponge lacks the small oxeas found in the European species. 

FAMILY SUBERITIDAE Schmidt, sensu de Laubenfels, 1936a 

GENUS TERPIOS Duchassaing and Michelotti 

Terpios zeteki (de Laubenfels) de Laubenfels 

(Plate VII, fig. 3) 

Laxosuberites zeteki de Laubenfels, 1936b, p. 450 [type: Balboa, Canal Zone; USNM no. 

22212]; Dickinson, 1945, p. 37. 

Terpios zeteki, de Laubenfels, 1950a, p. 106; idem, 1950b, p. 28; idem, 1951a, p. 265; 

idem, 1954b, p. 339. 

HABITAT. The species is abundant on mangrove roots along the larger channels. 

SHAPE. Large, massive, with lobate or digitate projections. The branches are often 

10 cm in height and 1 cm in diameter. Specimens are often considerably larger than 

hand-sized. Dickinson has aptly described the sponge as "a mass of giant fingers fused." 

(1945, p. 37). 

COLOR. The interior and the basal surfaces are yellowish-orange. The remainder of 

the surface is one of a wide range of colors, including red, red-orange, orange, green, 

blue-green and lavender. The color is always uniform within a specimen. Reddish-brown 

and blue specimens have been recorded in the literature. The sponges are light gray in 

alcohol. 


SURFACE. Basically smooth to the touch, and even. The sponge is, however, quite contractile. 

Preserved specimens, as well as many in the field, may thus appear wrinkled and 

tuberculate. At a magnification of 60 X, the surface is microhispid. The oscules are often 

as large as a centimeter in the living animal but are usually quite obscure, due to contraction, 

in preserved specimens. 

ECTOSOME. The external color is confined to a thin peripheral layer. Large dermal 

tufts form a nearly continuous palisade at the surface. The spicules project beyond the


surface for y3 to i/2 of their length, with their apices nearly on a level over considerable 

distances. The radiating tufts have broad bases. Tylostyles of all sizes are found in the 

tufts. 

ENDOSOME. The tylostyles, again of all sizes, are strewn abundantly in the flesh. They 

are grouped into bundles near the periphery. While the overall pattern is one of confusion, 

the spicules tend to be oriented longitudinally in the axis of the surface projections. 

SPICULES. Tylostyles, straight, fusiform, gradually pointed, 140-877 X 3-18 /x. The 

prominent heads are typically lobate but occasionally rounded. Individual analyses, 

lengths in microns, 50 spicules each. The color of each specimen is indicated. 164-819 

(red-orange); 134-726 (orange); 152-796 (green); 170-749 (red); 140-877 (orange); 164- 

644 (lavender); 143-819 (orange); 140-842 (orange); 170-830 (orange). 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: Atlantic coast of Panama—de Laubenfels, 

1936b, p. 450 (as Laxosuberites zeteki). Indo-Pacific: Hawaiian Is.—de Laubenfels, 1950b, 

p. 28, 1951a, p. 265, 1954b, p. 339. Tropical Pacific America: Gulf of California—Dickinson, 

1945, p. 37 (as Laxosuberites zeteki); Pacific coast of Panama—de Laubenfels, 

1936b, p. 450 (as Laxosuberites zeteki). 

DISCUSSION. The present record extends the distribution of Terpios zeteki into the 

Antilles. The color variants are identical in structure and spiculation. A variety of colors, 

a wide range of spicule length, and a large maximum spicule size, are all characteristics 

of the species. 

FAMILY CLIONIDAE Gray, sensu de Laubenfels, 1936a 

GENUS CLIONA Gray 

Cliona vermifera Hancock 

Cliona vermifera Hancock, 1867, p. 239 [type: locality unknown; Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) 

(?)]; Topsent, 1889, p. 35; idem, 1900, p. 8; idem, 1933b, p. 565; Vosmaer, 1933, p. 

398; Volz, 1939, p. 18. 

Vioa vermifera, Lendenfeld, 1897, p. 80. 

HABITAT. The specimen was found in coral rubble at Maiden Cay in a few feet of 

water. 

SHAPE. Scattered papillae, 0.5-1.5 mm in width, extend to the surface of the coral. 

The interior canals are 1-3 mm in diameter. 

COLOR. In life, bright red. The preserved sponge is a dull yellow. 

STRUCTURE. The canal linings contain numerous tylostyles strewn in confusion. A considerable 

number of microscleres are present. Granular, spherical cells, 7-12 fi in diameter, 

are abundant and conspicuous. 

SPICULES, (a) Tylostyles, straight to curved with prominent heads and gradually 

pointed shafts, 137-391 x 5-10 /x (100 spicules). The heads are 7-13 fi in maximum diameter. 

Most of them are round to lobate, but some are subterminal. Polytylote spicules are 

rare. The shaft exhibits little or no constriction below the head. The longer megascleres 

are mostly straight and rather thin. Their shaft diameter is no greater than, and may 

be less than, that of the smaller spicules, (b) Spirasters, smooth, curved to undulating, 

with rounded ends, 32-70 X 2-5 fi. (50 spicules). The diameter is uniform along the 

length of most spicules. A few spirasters have a swollen or lumpy region, which, when 

present, is near the midlength of the spicule. The two ends of a spicule may lie along 

a single axis or be considerably out of line. The curves of a spicule may vary in amplitude 

along its length. Most spicules have from two to five bends, but some are nearly 

straight, and others have as many as seven turns. 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: Gulf of Campeche, Mexico—Topsent, 1889, 

p. 35. Mediterranean-Atlantic: Naples, Italy—Vosmaer, 1933, p. 565; Adriatic Sea— 

Lendenfeld, 1897, p. 80, (as Vioa vermifera), Volz, 1939, p. 18. 

Indo-Pacific: Tuamotu and Gambier Archipelagos, Central Pacific—Topsent, 1933b, 

p. 565. 

DISCUSSION. The species has been only infrequently reported, although its geographic


range is extensive. The spirasters of the Adriatic specimens are seldom, if ever, multiply 

bent. 

Cliona viridis (Schmidt) Gray 

Vioa viridis Schmidt, 1862, p. 77 [type: Zara Channel, Yugoslavia; repository unknown]; 

Lendenfeld, 1897, p. 59; Burton, 1936a, p. 21. 

Cliona viridis, Gray, 1867, p. 545; Topsent, 1896, p. 123; idem, 1900, p. 84; idem, 1902b, 

p. 345; idem, 1906a, p. 564; idem, 1925a, p. 630; idem, 1925b, p. 18; idem, 1928, p. 

146; idem, 1933b, p. 562; idem, 1934, p. 13; Annandale, 1915, p. 13; Kumar, 1925, 

p. 228; Burton, 1930, p. 496; idem, 1948, p. 755; Volz, 1939, p. 13; LeVi, 1957, p. 202; 

Sara and Siribelli, 1960, p. 39; Sara, 1961a, p. 38; Sara, 1961b, p. 14; Vacelet, 1960, p. 

261; idem, 1961, p. 30. 

Cliona viridis var. caribboea, Topsent, 1933b, p. 563. 

[non] Cliona viridis, Wells et al., 1960, p. 32; Little, 1963, p. 58. 

Papillina nigricans Schmidt, 1862, p. 69 (fide Topsent, 1900); idem, 1868, p. 15. 

Osculina polystomella Schmidt, 1868, p. 3 (fide Topsent, 1900). 

Hymeniacidon angulata Bowerbank, 1872, p. 632 (fide Topsent, 1902b). 

Cliona subulata Sollas, 1878, p. 65 (fide Topsent, 1900); Topsent, 1889, p. 35. 

Cribrella labiata Keller, 1880, p. 275 (fide Topsent, 1900). 

Cliona caribboea Carter, 1882, p. 346 (fide Topsent, 1900); Topsent, 1889, p. 49. 

Cliona celata, Vosmaer (not Grant, 1826), 1933, p. 349 [partim.] 

HABITAT. TWO specimens were collected at Maiden Cay, boring in coral rubble. 

SHAPE. The low surface papillae are 1-1.5 mm in diameter. The galleries are 1-3 mm 

in diameter. 

COLOR. The papillae are yellow in life and dull yellow-green in alcohol. 

STRUCTURE. The canal linings contain thickly strewn tylostyles and numerous spirasters. 

Oval refractile cells, 7-10 p diameter, are also abundant. The papillae contain a single 

rank of parallel tylostyles. The infrequent spirasters of the papillae are similar in size 

and shape to those of the galleries. 

SPICULES, (a) Tylostyles, mostly straight, sometimes slightly curved, 195-384 x 5-12 ju,. 

The maximum shaft diameter is exceeded by that of the head. The spherical to ovoid 

heads are usually 13-15 p, in diameter. The maximum head diameter is almost always 

near the terminus. A low second swelling may be present just below the head. The shaft 

gradually diminishes to a sharp point, (b) Spirasters, thin, covered with spines, typically 

multiangular, 20-48 p in length, with a shaft diameter of 1-2 p. The numerous spines 

are thin, conical and 2-7 p in length. They are most prominent on the convex parts of 

the shaft. Most spicules have 3-4 bends, but the range is 1-7. A very few spicules are 

straight or nearly so. Individual analyses, lengths in microns: 

Tylostyles Spirasters 

239-384 (125) 24-48 (75) 

195-398 (50) 20-42 (50) 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: Gulf of Campeche, Mexico—Topsent, 1889, 

p. 35 (as Cliona subulata); Lesser Antilles: Guadeloupe—Topsent, 1889, p. 49 (as Cliona 

caribboea); St. Vincent—Carter, 1882, p. 346 (as Cliona caribboea); European Boreal 

Atlantic: Norway—Burton, 1930, p. 496. Mediterranean-Atlantic: French Mediterranean 

—Topsent, 1896, p. 123; 1900, p. 84; 1925b, p. 18; Monaco—Topsent, 1934, p. 13; Naples, 

Italy—Topsent, 1925a, p. 630; Sara and Siribelli, 1960, p. 39; Sara, 1961b, p. 14; Capri, 

Italy—Keller, 1880, p. 275 (as Cribrella labiata); Adriatic—Schmidt, 1862, p. 77 (as Vioa 

viridis); Schmidt, 1862, p. 69 (as Papillina nigricans); Lendenfeld, 1897, p. 59 (as Vioa 

viridis); Volz, 1939, p. 13; Sara, 1961a, p. 38; Israel—LeVi, 1957, p. 202; Mediterranean 

coast of Egypt—Burton, 1936a, p. 21 (as Vioa viridis); Algeria—Schmidt, 1868, p. 15 (as 

Papillina nigricans); 1868, p. 3 (as Osculina polystomella); Topsent, 1902b, p. 345; 

Corsica—Vacelet, 1960, p. 261 and 1961, p. 30; Madeira Is.—Bowerbank, 1872, p. 632, (as


Hymeniacidon angulata); Topsent, 1928, p. 146; Cape Verde Is.—Topsent, 1928, p. 146; 

Congo coast—Burton, 1948, p. 755. 

Indo-Pacific: Red Sea—Topsent, 1906a, p. 564; India—Kumar, 1925, p. 228; Margui 

Archipelago, off Burma—Annandale, 1915, p. 13; Polynesia—Topsent, 1933b, p. 562 

(including Cliona viridis caribboea). 

DISCUSSION. Clionids with robust, large-headed tylostyles and long, multiangular, 

prominently spined spirasters have been recorded from many warm water areas. Spiraster 

thickness varies in specimens from the same locality, (cf. Topsent 1900, 1933b). Several 

species may be involved, but the Cliona viridis complex cannot be subdivided on present 

evidence. European specimens do tend to have a larger maximum tylostyle size than 

West Indian specimens. The Jamaican sponges have smaller papillae than most but not 

all European specimens, (cf. Topsent 1900, Volz 1939). Mediterranean sponges exhibit 

a strong tendency toward the fusion of papillae and for development into the massive 

form. (Topsent, 1900; Volz 1939; Hartman, personal communication). Studies on growth 

may provide a basis for distinguishing the West Indian sponges from C. viridis of Mediterranean 

waters. 

Sponges of the C. viridis type have been recorded from the West Indies as C. caribboea 

Carter (by Carter, 1882, and Topsent, 1889) and as C. subulata Sollas (by Topsent, 

1889). The spicule sizes of the Jamaican sponges are in close agreement with the descriptions 

of Carter and Topsent. (cf. Topsent, 1900, for spicule data on his 1889 material). 

Wells et al. (1960) listed Suberites undulatus George and Wilson, 1919, as a synonym of 

C. viridis. Dr. W. D. Hartman has informed me that this species is not a clionid and that 

George and Wilson's name is valid. Sponges without microscleres have been attributed 

to C. caribboea Carter by Verrill (1907), de Laubenfels (1936a, 1936b, 1950a, 1953a), and 

Wells et al. (1960). The relationship of their sponges to the spiraster-containing West 

Indian clionids is uncertain. 

FAMILY PLACOSPONGIIDAE Gray, 1867 

GENUS PLACOSPONGIA Gray 

Placospongia carinata (Bowerbank) Carter 

(Plate VII, fig. 1) 

Geodia carinata Bowerbank, 1858a, p. 308, 314 (manuscript name); idem, 1864, p. 254, 

pi. X (manuscript name); idem, 1874a, p. 298 [type: South Seas; Brit. Mus. (Nat 

Hist.) (?)]; idem, 1875b, p. 295. 

Placospongia carinata, Carter, 1879a, p. 148; Ridley, 1884, p. 481; Sollas, 1888, p. 272; 

Lindgren, 1897, p. 485; idem, 1898, p. 45; Vosmaer and Vernhout, 1902a, p. 3; Dendy, 

1905, p. 126; idem, 1916a, p. 132; idem, 1921, p. 144; Hentschel, 1912, p. 324; Levi, 

1956a, p. 10; Burton, 1959a, p. 213; Little, 1963, p. 56. 

Placospongia sp., Carter, 1880, p. 53. 

Placospongia intermedia Sollas, 1888, p. 272 (fide Vosmaer and Vernhout, 1902a); de 

Laubenfels, 1936b, p. 454. 

Placospongia mixta Thiele, 1900, p. 72 (fide Vosmaer and Vernhout, 1902a.) 

HABITAT. The sponge grows over hard objects near Port Royal and at the cays. 

SHAPE. Incrusting. Branched specimens are known for the species, but none were seen 

in the present study. Specimens several square feet in area were observed on the sea 

wall of the Police Depot at Port Royal. None of them were more than a few millimeters 

in thickness. 

COLOR. The cortical plates are brown in life, with red or orange tinges. The flesh 

is yellow and retains a drab yellow color in preservative. The surface becomes a very 

uniform chocolate brown in alcohol. Dried specimens are pale gray. 

CONSISTENCY. The flesh is rather tough. The cortical plates are stony. 

SURFACE. The surface is covered by an armor of cortical plates, separated by a network 

of grooves. The yellow flesh extends to the surface at the grooves, which are open as


much as 1 mm in life. Delicate cylindrical oscules were observed in the grooves in uncontracted 

living specimens. The plates became apposed in specimens removed from the 

water. The plates are irregularly polygonal in shape and have ridged edges. Their outlines 

may be straight, curved or irregular. Parallel sides are 2-12 mm apart. 

ECTOSOME. An ectochrote of microstrongyles covers the plates and grooves. The plates, 

often 1 mm in thickness, are dense aggregations of mature sterrasters. The ascending 

columns of flesh contain microstrongyles and spir asters. Laterally placed, projecting 

bundles of tylostyles extend into the plates and grooves from the endosome. Throughout 

their length the bundles are inclosed by fibrous tissue which also binds adjacent plates 

together. The grooves are crossed by vertical canals which are surrounded by microscleres 

and presumably open at the surface. 

ENDOSOME. The interior contains stout bundles of tylostyles which begin near a basal 

layer of sterrasters and penetrate the cortex. The bundles gradually expand to a maximum 

in the mid-endosome where they are often 300 ^ in diameter. The tylostyles are 

oriented obliquely inward in the bundles, with their apices directed toward the periphery. 

A few tylostyles occur outside the bundles. They are mostly tangential in position at the 

periphery of the endosome. The flesh contains numerous sterrasters at all stages of 

development and scattered spirasters. Microstrongyles are common only in the outer 

part of the endosome and above the basal layer of sterrasters. In places, the flesh may 

be packed with sterrasters. 

SPICULES, (a) Tylostyles, straight with fusiform shafts, 164-1193 X 3-17 /x. Smaller 

spicules have sharp points, but larger ones are often tylostrongylote with narrow, rounded 

points. The heads are typically round and prominent but are occasionally elongate or 

even subterminal. 

(b) Sterrasters, ovoid but indented at the hilum, 36 x 14 to 87 X 73 /*,. The mature 

spicules are often about 75 X 60 /x. A developmental sequence similar to that presented 

in Figure 9 of Vosmaer and Vernhout (1902a) can be followed in the endosomal sterrasters. 

The earliest recognizable stage is about 30 x 7-8 ju, and consists of a straight, 

narrow spinous shaft. The next stage is a cylindrical spicule, about 35 x 20 ti, with 

numerous spines which are 3-5 //, in height. It is succeeded by a spiny, rather dumbbellshaped 

spicule of 40 X 25 p. The final developmental stage has a round outline with 

low spines. 

(c) Spirasters, 13-30 x 2-3 fx. The spicules may be spirastral, streptastral or amphiastral 

in form. The spines, 3-9 ju, in height, may be scattered along a curved or multiangular 

shaft, or be concentrated terminally on a straight shaft. They are often branched 

or terminally bifid. They are usually slender, pointed and irregularly curved or bent. 

A few spicules have short shafts and resemble the arborescent-elongo-subsphero-stellate 

spicule figured by Bowerbank (1858a, 1864). All variations can occur within a specimen. 

(d) Microstrongyles, straight to curved or multiangular, roughened, with rounded 

ends, 7-17 X 2 /x. 

(e) A few spherasters were found in the spicule analyses of two specimens. The spicules 

are 21-29 fi in diameter and have short, conical spines. As Vosmaer and Vernhout 

have shown, the spherasters are infrequent and, indeed, are often absent, in both Placospongia 

carinata and P. melobesioides. 


Tylostyles 

240-1193 (50) 

164-1005 (50) 

229-819 (50) 

Microstrongyles 

10-15 (25) 

7-12 (25) 

8-17 (25) 

Sterrasters 

41 X 23-82 X 64 (50) 

47 X 27-87 X 73 (50) 

36xl4r-79x57(50) 

Spherasters 

28(1) 

none 

21-29 (30) 

Spirasters 

13-30 (25) 

13-30 (25) 

15-30 (25)


DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: West Coast, Florida—Little, 1963, p. 56; 

Atlantic coast of Panama—de Laubenfels, 1936b, p. 454 (as Placospongia intermedia)) 

Indo-Pacific: Madagascar—LeVi, 1956a, p. 10; South Arabian coast—Burton, 1959a, p. 

213; Indian Ocean, south of Seychelles—Dendy, 1921, p. 144; Okhamandal, northwest 

India—Dendy, 1916a, p. 132; Ceylon—Dendy, 1905, p. 125; Straits of Malacca—Bowerbank, 

1875b, p. 295 (as Geodia carinata); South Seas, Bowerbank—1858a, p. 308, 314; 

1864, p. 254; 1874a, p. 289 (all as Geodia carinata); East Indies—Vosmaer and Vernhout, 

1902a, p. 3-13; Java—Lindgren, 1897, p. 485; 1898, p. 45; Ternate, East Indies—Thiele, 

1900, p. 72 (as Placospongia mixta); Torres Strait, between Australia and New Guinea 

—Ridley, 1884, p. 481; Aru Is. near New Guinea—Hentschel, 1912, p. 324. Tropical 

Pacific America: Punta Arenas, Costa Rica—Carter, 1880, p. 53 (as Placospongia sp.); 

Sollas, 1888, p. 272 (as Placospongia intermedia); Pacific coast of Panama—de Laubenfels, 

1936b, p. 454 (as Placospongia intermedia). 

DISCUSSION. Bowerbank established his Geodia carinata for specimens from the South 

Seas with an ectochrote of multiangulated cylindrical spicules and endosomal spirasters. 

He figured only an extreme modification of the latter microsclere, noting that it was 

often more elongate in form. In both size and form, the spicules of the Jamaican sponges 

agree well with previous descriptions. Due to the contracted condition of my specimens, 

it was impossible to determine whether the smaller tylostyles were cortical. 

P. carinata has not been reported previously from the West Indies. Sollas did, however, 

describe a species, P. intermedia, from the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Unfortunately, 

he gave a confused description of the microscleres in his account of P. intermedia 

and in his redescription of P. carinata. As Lindgren (1898) has pointed out, Sollas almost 

certainly included the developmental stages of sterrasters under the heading of microstrongyles. 

Furthermore, after emphasizing the absence of spirasters in P. intermedia, 

he described spirastral microstrongyles, including some with large conical spines. Spirasters 

with such unbranched rays occur in my specimens and have been reported by 

Vosmaer and Vernhout for P. carinata. Carter (1880), in a discussion of P. melobesioides, 

mentions a species or variety with spirastral flesh spicules. The variety included only two 

specimens, one being the Geodia carinata of Bowerbank and the other a British Museum 

specimen from Punta Arenas, Costa Rica. The second specimen is almost certainly the 

one on which Sollas* P. intermedia is based. To judge from Carter's description, multirayed 

spirasters occurred in both the Central American and South Seas examples. 

The only other distinguishing characteristics of P. intermedia Sollas are the presence 

of spherasters (a variable feature) and the small sizes (no ranges are given) of the tylostyles 

and the sterrasters as listed by Sollas. The Panamanian specimens attributed to 

P. intermedia by de Laubenfels also had small tylostyles and sterrasters. Their spirasters 

were said to have tylote or strongylote rays. De Laubenfels further reported, without 

comment, that the sterrasters were derived not from cylindrical spicules but from spiny 

spheres. Sollas had considered similar spheres to be the early stages of spherasters, which 

were, however, absent in the Panamanian specimens. De Laubenfels neither mentioned 

the presence nor noted the absence of an ectochrote. On the available evidence, P. intermedia 

Sollas is probably conspecific with P. carinata. The Jamaican sponges cannot be 

distinguished from the East Indian representative of P. carinata. 

Placospongia melobesioides Gray, another Indo-Pacific species, has been reported from 

the West Indies by Schmidt (1870), de Laubenfels (1936a) and Arndt (1927). Arndt's 

record is of a Curasao sponge with an ectochrote of spheres and an endosome devoid 

of spirasters. It seems clearly conspecific with P. melobesioides as redescribed by Carter 

(1880). De Laubenfels' minute specimen from the Dry Tortugas included nothing but 

sterrasters and must be considered unrecognizable. His identification was apparently 

made on the basis of Schmidt's dubious record from Florida. Schmidt's specimen is 

inadequately described. Sollas (1888) was unable to find spheres in Schmidt's type slides 

at the British Museum, but, as Arndt points out, the sample may not have included the 

outer cortex. A cylindrical specimen from Florida in the Yale Peabody Museum, identified 

as P. melobesioides by Schmidt, has the spiculation of P. carinata.


ORDER EPIPOLASIDA Sollas 1888, sensu de Laubenfels, 1936a 

FAMILY TETHYIDAE Gray, sensu de Laubenfels, 1936a 

GENUS TETHYA Lamarck 

Tethya seychellensis (Wright) Sollas 

Alemo seychellensis Wright, 1881, p. 13 [type: Seychelles; Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist. (?)]. 

Tethya seychellensis, Sollas, 1888, p. 427; Keller, 1891a, p. 329; (?) Topsent, 1893, p. 177; 

Kirkpatrick, 1900a, p. 133; Wilson, 1902a, p. 388; Row, 1911, p. 303. 

Donatia seychellensis, Dendy, 1916a, p. 100; idem, 1916b, p. 265. 

Donatia ingalli var. seychellensis, Wilson, 1925, p. 335. 

Tethya ingalli, Lindgren (not Bowerbank, 1872), 1898, p. 36. 

Tethya maza, I. Sollas (not Selenka, 1880), 1902, p. 216. 

Tethya lyncurium var. C Dendy, 1905, p. 114 (fide Dendy, 1916b.) 

Donatia viridis Baer, 1906, p. 26. 

HABITAT. Common on turtle grass near Port Royal. 

SHAPE. Spherical to slightly ovoid. Budding specimens are 1.5-4 cm in diameter. 

COLOR. The living sponges are a dull orange or a dull red. In alcohol, the sponges 

are beige, with or without an orange tinge. 


SURFACE. The surface is raised into low, flattened to rounded tubercles which are 

1-3 mm in diameter. Spherical to elongate buds in various stages of separation are present 

on most specimens. Mature specimens, and also buds, often have long thin processes 

which in some cases are attached to the turtle grass. The processes are usually less than 

0.5 mm in diameter but are often greater than 1 cm in length. A few specimens have 

small apical oscules, 1-2 mm in diameter, but most have no obvious exhalant openings. 

A network of narrow grooves runs between the tubercles. On their surface is a reticulation 

of bands visible to the unaided eye. 

ECTOSOME. The four-layered cortex includes an ectochrote, a cavernous layer, a spherastral 

layer, and a basal fibrous layer. The cortex is often more than a millimeter in total 

thickness. The tubercles are covered by the ectochrote and supported by gradually 

expanding spicule bundles. The ectochrote, which also covers the grooves, is composed 

of closely packed tylasters. The surface bands are 30-100 p in width. The interstices of the 

network, (100-200 p in width) are pierced by numerous ostia, 30-45 p in diameter. At the 

grooves, the ectochrote overlies a cavernous layer in which the extensive cortical cavities 

are 450-1725 p in height. Vertical canals, 15-60 //, in diameter, run from the cavities to 

the endosome. The flesh in the cavernous layer contains sparsely scattered tylasters. A 

few spherasters may be present near the spicule bundles. The deeper part of the cortex 

contains tylasters and numerous spherasters. Microscleres are particularly abundant in the 

walls of the vertical canals. A basal fibrous layer, 30-70 p in thickness, contains sparsely 

scattered microscleres. 

ENDOSOME. Spicule bundles and individual megascleres are radially arranged around 

the central focal region. The latter, a confused mass of megascleres, is several millimeters 

in diameter. The endosomal microsclere complement includes spherasters, tylasters and 

oxyasters. The first category is rare and occurs only at the periphery. Tylasters become 

infrequent toward the center. Oxyasters are abundant in the flesh between spicule 

bundles. Attached buds are similar in structure to the parents but contain fewer oxyasters. 

The endosome of a specimen collected on January 5, 1961, contains closely 

packed, slightly ovoid eggs, 60-70 p in longest diameter. Their nuclei are about 13 JX in 

diameter. 

SPICULES, (a) Styles, ranging to strongyloxeas, straight, 328-1788 X 5-35 p. The shaft 

has its maximum diameter in mid-length. The apices of stylote spicules are often eroded 

in appearance, (b) Spherasters, with prominent conical rays nearly equal in length to 

the centrum diameter, 27-76 p, in overall diameter. The rays may be sharp, blunt or 

bifid, (c) Oxyasters, with 6-8 thin roughened rays, 24-83 p in total diameter. The small


central region is about 3 JU in diameter. The rays are straight, curved, somewhat irregular 

or bent. They have a roughened to spinous surface. In a few spicules, one or more 

rays are branched either terminally or at mid-length, (d) Tylasters, with 6-10 short, 

straight rays, 10-16 ^ in total diameter. The central region is 2 /x in diameter. The rays 

end in prominent roughened knobs. 


Strongyloxeas and Styles 

Spherasters 

328-1788 (50) 

27-73 (25) 

410-1568 (50) 

35-76 (25) 

500-1232 (25) 

35-72 (50) 

Tylasters 

Oxyaslers 

10-16 (25) 

45-83 (25) 

10-13 (25) 

29-37 (25) 

10-13 (25) 

24-37 (25) 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: Puerto Rico—Wilson, 1902a, p. 388. Indo- 

Pacific: Red Sea—Keller, 1891a, p. 329; Row, 1911, p. 303; Indian Ocean—Dendy, 1916b, 

p. 265; Christmas Is.—Kirkpatrick, 1900a, p. 133; Seychelles—Wright, 1881, p. 13 (as 

Alemo seychellensis); Northwest India—Dendy, 1916a, p. 100; Ceylon—Dendy, 1905, p. 

114; Malaya—I. Sollas, 1902, p. 216 (as Tethya maza); East Indies—Sollas, 1888, p. 427; 

Lindgren, 1898, p. 36 (as Tethya ingalli); Philippines—Sollas, 1888, p. 427; Wilson, 1925, 

p. 335; Tahiti, Pacific Ocean—Baer, 1906, p. 26 (as Donatia viridis). 

DISCUSSION. Despite several revisions, the taxonomy of Tethya remains in a chaotic 

state. The range of intraspecific variation remains uncertain, particularly with respect 

to cortical structure. Most records of oxyaster-containing sponges are difficult to evaluate, 

from lack of data. Many specimens, briefly described, have been attributed to poorly 

known species. The published synonymies are conflicting and often based on spicule 

data alone. The Jamaican sponges are very similar in spiculation and cortical structure 

to T. seychellensis (Wright), as described by Sollas in the Challenger Report. It should 

be noted that Wright's original description is not detailed and that his type material 

has been lost. The taxonomic summary includes only those records which indicate the 

presence of a definite lacunar layer in the cortex. Tethya ingalli Bowerbank (1872) and 

T. actinia de Laubenfels (1950a) have endosomal oxyasters as in T. seychellensis. Both 

species differ from Wright's and from the present specimens in having a completely 

fibrous cortex. 

Topsent (1918) and Burton (1924a) have attributed oxyaster-containing specimens of 

Tethya to T. diploderma Schmidt of the West Indies. Schmidt's original description 

does not give a detailed account of cortical structure. He makes no mention of oxyasters. 

Topsent (1918, p. 574) assumed that oxyasters were present in Schmidt's material. Burton 

(1924a) claimed to have examined the types of T. diploderma Schmidt and T. seychellensis 

(Wright) in his revision. Wright, however, clearly stated (1881, p. 19) that his type 

material had been lost before the publication of his paper. Assuming that Schmidt's type 

material is in the British Museum Collection, no published evidence is available on the 

cortical structure of his species. (Burton included both T. ingalli, with a fibrous cortex, 

and T. seychellensis, with a multi-layered cortex, in the synonymy of T. diploderma.) 

At least two oxyaster-containing species of Tethya (T. actinia and T. seychellensis) occur 

in the region studied by Schmidt. Furthermore, sponges without oxyasters occur in the 

same area. (cf. Tethya seychellensis of de Laubenfels 1936a, p. 164). It is not impossible 

that Schmidt's original description of the microsclere complement is accurate. At present, 

T. diploderma Schmidt must be considered as unrecognizable. 

Tethya actinia de Laubenfels 

Tethya actinia de Laubenfels, 1950a, p. 116 [type: Bermuda; Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) reg. 

no. 1948.8.6.48]; idem, 1954a, p. 234 (?). 

Tethya diploderma, de Laubenfels (not Schmidt, 1870), 1953a, p. 545 (?).


HABITAT. The single specimen was collected in a few feet of water at Drunkenman's 

Cay. Unfortunately, only a small fragment was kept for sectioning. 

SHAPE. Small, spherical, about 1 cm in diameter. 

COLOR. The sponge had a greenish cortex, presumably due to algae, and an orange 

endosome. 

CONSISTENCY. Tough. 

SURFACE. The surface is covered with low, flat tubercles which are about 1 mm in 

diameter. 

ECTOSOME. An ectochrote of tylasters covers the entire surface. The tubercles are supported 

by gradually expanding spicule bundles. Some megascleres project beyond the 

ectochrote. The cortex is fibrous between the bundles with the fibrous tissue most conspicuous 

in the deeper half. Tylasters are abundant throughout the cortex. Spherasters 

are present in the peripheral part of the cortex but are uncommon in the deeper half. 

Most, if not all, of the spherasters in the latter region are associated with spicule tracts 

or cortical canals. A few cortical cavities occur in the middle and basal regions of the 

cortex. Narrow vertical canals run down to the cavities from the ectochrote, while others 

lead from the cavities to the endosome. Other canals (excurrent?) run vertically across 

the entire cortex. 

ENDOSOME. The periphery of the endosome contains numerous microscleres of all 

types. In the interior, the flesh contains many oxyasters and less numerous tylasters. 

Spicule bundles and individual megascleres radiate outward from the focal area. 

SPICULES, (a) Strongyloxeas, sometimes actually styles, straight, usually with unequal 

ends, 529-1478 x 10-27 ju (55 spicules), (b) Spherasters, typically with sharp, conical, 

simple rays, 29-50 ^ in total diameter (25 spicules). The rays are often nearly equal in 

length to the diameter of the centrum, (c) Tylasters, with 6-8 knobbed rays, with or 

without a small centrum, 9-13 fx in total diameter (25 spicules), (d) Oxyasters, usually 

with 6 slender, pointed rays, 34-61 ^ in total diameter (25 spicules). The small centrum 

is 2-5 ju, in diameter. The rays may be straight, curved, or bent. Most spicules have one 

forked ray, and some have two or three such rays. An occasional ray has a sub terminal 

branch, sometimes in addition to a terminal division. The rays are roughened in at least 

some oxyasters. A few spicules have blunt rather than pointed ends. 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: Bermuda—de Laubenfels, 1950a, p. 116; 

Gulf of Mexico—de Laubenfels, 1953a, p. 545 (as Tethya diploderma)}; Indo-Pacific— 

de Laubenfels, 1954a, p. 234 (?). 

DISCUSSION. The single specimen is similar in appearance to the common cay species 

and was unfortunately mistaken for it. The specimen is similar in structure and spiculation 

to Bermudan specimens in the Yale Peabody Museum identified as T. actinia by 

de Laubenfels. The Peabody Museum specimens have knobbed tylasters. De Laubenfels 

(1950a, fig. 52) figured the small microscleres as strongylasters. The spherasters of the 

Jamaican sponge have a somewhat greater maximum diameter. The cortical structure 

of de Laubenfels* Pacific sponge was not described in detail. 

Tethya actinia is very similar to T. ingalli Bowerbank. An extensive geographical 

range has been attributed to the latter species, which was originally described from 

Australia. T. actinia differs from T. ingalli in having smaller spherasters and more consistently 

forked oxyasters. T. seychellensis (Wright), which often contains forked oxyasters, 

differs markedly from T. actinia in cortical structure. 

Tethya sp., cf. maza Selenka 

HABITAT. Common on the underside of rocks at the cays. 

SHAPE. The small hemispherical sponges are attached to the substratum by a flattened 

base. Typical specimens are 0.5-1 cm in diameter. Budding was not observed. 

COLOR. The living sponges are a pale yellow or pale orange. They become cream to 

off-white in alcohol. 

CONSISTENCY. Tough, very slightly compressible. 

SURFACE. Much of the surface is covered by very low tubercles, 0.5-1.5 mm in 

diameter. No large oscules were seen.


ECTOSOME. The cortex is usually 0.5-1 mm in thickness. The ectochrote, 15-30 p in 

thickness, is packed with strongylasters. The tubercles are supported by the gradually 

expanding ends of choanosomal spicule bundles. The cortical megascleres are similar in 

size range to those of the interior. A few megascleres project beyond the ectochrote. 

Between the spicule bundles, the cortex contains scattered strongylasters and an abundance 

of spherasters. The cortex is not conspicuously fibrous. Cortical cavities are 

occasionally present but are not localized at a particular level. 

ENDOSOME. Stout spicule bundles, 200-300 ^ in diameter, radiate outward from a 

confused focal area. Individual radially-oriented megascleres are also present. A few 

spherasters are present, particularly at the periphery. Strongylasters are scattered throughout 

the interior and are particularly abundant near the canals. 

SPICULES, (a) The megascleres are mostly strongyloxeas. A few styles are present, 304- 

1318 x 5-22 fi. (b) Spherasters, with conical sharp-pointed rays, 15-82 fi in total diameter. 

An occasional ray is blunt or bifid. The ray length is less than the centrum diameter. 

(c) Strongylasters, with 8-12 rays, with or without a globular centrum, 10-17 fi in total 

diameter. The thin cylindrical rays are typically 5 p long and less than 2 ^ in diameter. 

They are sometimes slightly tylote and are rarely forked. In one of 4 analyzed specimens, 

the endosomal micrasters have a slightly larger maximum diameter (17 fx) than the 

ectosomal ones. (15 ju,). 


Strongyloxeas Spherasters Strongylasters 

304-1318 (50) 36-72 (35) 10-15 (50) 

433-1240 (25) 35-82 (50) 12-13 (50) 

present 22-58 (25) 12-17 (25) 

present 15-58 (25) 10-13 (25) 

DISCUSSION. If the original description is accurate, the Jamaican sponges are conspecific 

with Tethya maza Selenka (1879, p. 472) of Brazil. 

Sollas (1888, p. 440) reported finding long-rayed micrasters in "typical" specimens of 

T. maza obtained from E. P. Wright. Wright presumably received the sponges from 

Selenka, with whom he was in communication. Burton (1924a, p. 1040) apparently 

considered the "typical" material as including the type specimen. He retained T. maza 

as a valid species, characterized by the frequent reduction of rays in many microscleres 

(cf. Burton, 1924a, plate 1, fig. 3). 

The Jamaican sponges are clearly not conspecific with those of Burton. It is by no 

means certain, however, that the British Museum collection includes the type specimen. 

The similarities between the Jamaican sponges and the original description of T. maza 

suggest that the specimens available to Sollas and Burton are representatives of a second 

Brazilian species. 

ORDER CHORISTIDA Sollas, 1888, sensu LeVi, 1956b 

FAMILY GEODIIDAE Gray, sensu de Laubenfels, 1936a 

GENUS GEODIA Lamarck 

SUBGENUS Geodia Lamarck 

The incurrent chones have cribriporal roofs. The conspicuous oscules are localized 

in clusters. 

Geodia (Geodia) gibberosa Lamarck 

(Plate VIII, fig. 2) 

Geodia gibberosa Lamarck, 1815, p. 324 [type: Guiana; Mus. nat. Hist. nat. Paris]; 

Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 105; Bowerbank, 1873, p. 6; Carter, 1882, p. 

362; Topsent, 1889, p. 34, 48; idem, 1918, p. 612; idem, 1930, p. 3; Arndt, 1927, p.


137; de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 172; idem, 1936b, p. 454; idem, 1939, p. 6; idem, 1949, 

p. 27; idem, 1950a, p. 125; idem, 1953a, p. 551; idem, 1956, p. 2; LeVi, 1959, p. 117; 

Wells et al., 1960, p. 235; Little, 1963, p. 59. 

Pyxitis gibberosa, Schmidt, 1870, p. 70. 

Geodia cariboa [sic] Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 105. 

Geodia tuberculosa Bowerbank, 1872, p. 626; Carter, 1884, p. 208; Sottas, 1888, p. 251. 

Geodia tumulosa Bowerbank, 1872, p. 628; Sollas, 1888, p. 249. 

Geodia media Bowerbank, 1873, p. 13; Uliczka, 1929, p. 56. 

Synops (?) media, Sollas, 1888, p. 266. 

Geodia reticulata Bowerbank, 1874a, p. 300; Sollas 1888, p. 253. 

HABITAT. The sponges are common on roofs along the mangrove boat channels. 

Other specimens were dredged from Pigeon House Pile. 

SHAPE. Massive, often lobate. Many specimens are more than 10 cm in diameter. The 

broad lobes are usually several centimeters in height. 

COLOR. The surface varies in color between a near-white and a dark brown. Many 

individuals are mottled. The oscular areas are darker than the rest of the surface and 

may be nearly black. The cortex, at least in its deeper parts, is white. The interior is 

beige. The sponges undergo little change in alcohol. 

CONSISTENCY. The hard cortex gives the sponge a leathery to stony consistency. The 

interior is tough and compact. 

SURFACE. Even to uneven. The sponge has one to several oscular areas which are 

often apical on flattened lobes. The oscular areas are typically circular and 1-2 cm in 

diameter. They are occasionally ovoid, with the maximum diameter attaining 8 cm. The 

individual openings are usually less than 0.5 mm in diameter but occasionally reach a 

diameter of 1.5 mm. 

ECTOSOME. The ectosome is a thick three-layered cortex. Extensive areas of the surface 

are cribriporal due to the presence of numerous dermal pores. Individual ostia are 

20-50 fx in diameter. They are separated by narrow bands of flesh which contain numerous 

small strongylospherasters. Small oxeas are radially arranged in the outer cortex and 

project beyond the ectochrote. The sterrastral crust is crossed by incurrent chone canals 

which are 50-100 //, in diameter. Adjacent canals are typically 0.5 mm apart. Their fibrous 

linings contain numerous strongylospherasters. The canals become compressed by large 

sphincters in the fibrous layer of the cortex. Large subcortical spaces are present beneath 

the sphincters. Under the oscular areas, the sterrastral crust is crossed by exhalant 

canals which are 300-600 ^ in diameter. Endosomal megascleres occasionally project into 

the cortex. 

ENDOSOME. Cavernous. Individual megascleres and spicule bundles are radially arranged 

in the periphery of the endosome. The triaene cladomes are tangentially placed 

in the fibrous layer of the cortex. In the deeper parts of the interior, the megascleres 

and bundles are scattered in confusion. The flesh contains numerous oxyasters and all 

stages of sterrasters. Strongylospherasters are most abundant toward the periphery of 

the endosome. Some, but not all of the subcortical strongylospherasters have a distinctive 

size and shape. 

SPICULES, (a) Plagiotriaenes, of greatly varied size, with rhabds 290-1520 X 10-40 /A, 

and clads 21-304 X 12-35 /x. Protriaenes, anatriaenes, mesodiaenes and mesomonaenes 

occur sporadically and in low numbers. It is possible that some are not proper to the 

sponge, (b) Large oxeas, slightly curved, 714-1972 X 7-43 jU(. A few styles also occur. 

(c) Small cortical oxeas, thin, slightly curved, gradually pointed, 137-224 x 3-4 fi. (d) 

Sterrasters, spherical to slightly ovoid, 53-108 ^ in longest diameter. The surface of 

mature spicules is covered by flattened, polygonal tubercles which are typically 3 /x in 

diameter. Spiny developmental sterrasters are abundant in the interior, (e) Strongylospherasters, 

with a centrum and 5-8 short blunt rays, 5-8 /x in overall diameter, (f) Some 

of the subcortical strongylospherasters, 9-12 //, in diameter, have a centrum and 10-12 

rays. Intermediates between subcortical and typical strongylospherasters occur, (g) Oxyasters, 

with 5-10 rays, with or without a small centrum, 15-33 fi in total diameter. The


rays are slender, cylindrical, and slightly roughened. Individual analyses, lengths in 

microns: 

Plagiotriaenes (rhabds) 

290-1378 

492-1520 

550-1440 

714-1229 

Small oxeas 

159-210 (25) 

174-210 (25) 

166-224 (25) 

137-188 (25) 

Subcortical 

strongylospher asters 

present 

9-12 (25) 

9-12 (25) 

present 

(dads) 

21-232 (5) 

53-304 (10) 

117-258 (10) 

82-211 (10) 

Sterrasters 

77-108 (25) 

64-82 (50) 

53-82 (50) 

64-88 (25) 

Oxyasters 

15-20 (25) 

16-26 (25) 

16-33 (25) 

16-30 (25) 

Large Oxeas 

1088-1972 (12) 

749-1345 (25) 

714-1800 (25) 

737-1312 (25) 

Strongylospherasters 

5-7 (25) 

5-8 (25) 

5-8 (25) 

5-8 (25) 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: North Carolina—Wells et al., 1960, p. 235; 

South Carolina—Schmidt, 1870, p. 70; Florida—Schmidt, 1870, p. 70 (both as Pyxitis 

gibberosa); Carter, 1884, p. 208 (as Geodia tuberculosa)) Dry Tortugas, Florida—de 

Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 172; West Coast, Florida—de Laubenfels, 1953a, p. 551 and Little, 

1963, p. 59; Gulf of Campeche, Mexico—Topsent, 1889, p. 34, 48; Mexico—Bowerbank, 

1872, p. 626 (as Geodia tuberculosa); Bowerbank, 1873, p. 13 (as Geodia media); Bowerbank, 

1874a, p. 300 (as Geodia reticulata); Honduras—Bowerbank, 1872, p. 628 (as 

Geodia tumulosa); Atlantic coast, Panama—de Laubenfels, 1936b, p. 454; Venezuela— 

Carter, 1882, p. 362; Guiana—Lamarck, 1815, p. 324 (?); Brazil—de Laubenfels, 1956, p. 

2; Bermuda—de Laubenfels, 1950a, p. 125; Bahamas—de Laubenfels, 1949, p. 22; Cuba 

—Schmidt, 1870, p. 70 (as Pyxitis gibberosa); Jamaica—Bowerbank, 1872, p. 628 (as 

Geodia tumultosa); Antilles—Schmidt, 1870, p. 70 (as Pyxitis gibberosa); Lesser Antilles: 

Tortuga—Uliczka, 1929, p. 56 (as Geodia media); Tortola, Br. Virgin Is.—Duchassaing 

and Michelotti, 1864, p. 105; St. Thomas—Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 105 

(as Geodia cariboo); Gaudeloupe—Topsent, 1889, p. 34, 48; Dominica—Bowerbank, 

1873, p. 6; St. Vincent—Carter, 1882, p. 362; Barbados—Uliczka, 1929, p. 56 (as Geodia 

media); Curasao—Arndt, 1927, p. 137: Old Providence Is., Caribbean—de Laubenfels, 

1939, p. 6. Tropical West Africa: Sao Tome—Topsent, 1918, p. 612; LeVi, 1959, p. 117. 

Tropical Pacific America: Pacific coast, Panama—de Laubenfels, 1936b, p. 454. 

DISCUSSION. The presence of cortical oxeas and an ectochrote has been overlooked in 

recent studies. The Jamaican sponges agree well in spiculation with Lamarck's type which 

was restudied by Topsent (1918, 1930). Bowerbank, who also examined Lamarck's specimen 

(1873), described five new species of Geodia from Tropical Atlantic American 

waters (1873-75). His species are all very similar in structure and spiculation. Geodia 

dysoni Bowerbank, 1873, differs from the others and from G. gibberosa in having dispersed 

oscules. The remaining species are probably synonyms of G. gibberosa. A reexamination 

of type specimens would be desirable. Anatriaenes and protriaenes were 

reported for several of Bowerbank's species. Such spicule categories were occasionally 

present in the Jamaican material. Uliczka's Jamaican record of Geodia media Bowerbank 

certainly refers to Geodia gibberosa. 

GENUS GEODIA Lamarck 

SUBGENUS Cydonium Fleming 

Spicules as in the typical subgenus. The incurrent and excurrent openings are 

cribriporal and similar in size.


Sollas (1888) used Cydonium as a genus for geodiids in which the oscules and pores 

could not be distinguished. Sollas' classification of the family Geodiidae merits reconsideration. 

Geodia (Cydonium) papyracea n. sp. 

(Text-fig. 13; plate VIII, figs. 1, 2) 

Fig. 13.—Spicules of Geodia papyracea. A. Oxeas. B. Distal end of plagiotriaene. C. Distal end 

of anatriaene. D. Small spherasters. E. Thick-rayed subcortical oxyaster. F. Oxyaster. G. 

Sterrasters. H. Surface sculpturing of portions of sterrasters enlarged. A: scale I. B, C: 

scale II. D, E, F: scale III. G: scale IV. H: scale V. YPM 5045. Holotype. 


HABITAT. Common on mangrove roots along the main boat channel. 

SHAPE. Massive, often fist-sized. A few specimens attain a diameter of 8-10 cm. 

COLOR. The living sponges are off-white to light gray. Purple tinges are sometimes 

present. Preserved specimens have similar colors. 

CONSISTENCY. Firm to compressible. When pressure is exerted many specimens collapse. 

The cortex is rather brittle. The endosome is pulpy and easily crumbled. 

SURFACE. Rough to the touch. The surface may be even, wrinkled, or folded. No 

macroscopic oscules are present. Considerable areas of the surface have a punctiform 

appearance. The sponge is hispid as seen under a dissecting microscope at a magnification 

of 60 x. 

ECTOSOME. The cortex is 400-600 /x in thickness. A thin ectochrote of strongylospherasters 

is pierced by openings which are 35-50 p in diameter. The openings form the 

cribriporal roofs of chone canals. A thin lacunar layer separates the ectochrote from 

the sterrastral crust. The cavities are crossed by broad columns which contain megascleres 

and a few strongylospherasters. A distinct basal fibrous layer is absent. Numerous thick


plagiotriaenes project through the entire cortex. Their cladomes are inserted into the 

ectochrote. Large oxeas and thin anatriaenes are also present. A few triaenes have an 

oblique or tangential position in the outer cortex. 

ENDOSOME. The peripheral region has a radiate architecture, while the interior is 

confused. Most of the oxeas end within the endosome. The plagiotriaenes only infrequently 

terminate below the cortex. Their heads usually begin in the periphery of the 

endosome and enter the cortex singly or in loose groups. The flesh contains numerous 

sterrasters in all stages of development. Oxyasters and occasional strongylasters are also 

present. Distinctive multi-rayed oxyasters are present in the periphery. 

SPICULES, (a) Robust plagiotriaenes, with rhabds 406-1058 x 5-24 /x, and clads 33- 

123 x 4-24 /x. (b) Slender anatriaenes, with rhabds 246-609 X 2-3 /x, and clads 7-36 X 

1-2 jit. (c) Oxeas, straight to slightly curved, gradually to abruptly pointed, 616-1183 

X 9-20 p. (d) Sterrasters, mostly spherical, occasionally somewhat ovoid, 52-75 /x in 

diameter. The surface of mature spicules is covered by star-shaped tubercles about 3 /x 

in diameter. Smaller, spiny developmental forms of sterrasters are present in the flesh, (e) 

Strongylospherasters, with 8-10 blunt rays, 5-7 /x in total diameter. The centrum is 

about 2 /x in diameter, (f) Oxyasters, with 6-12 thin, roughened rays, with or without a 

small centrum, 24-48 /x in total diameter. The rays are 1-2 /x in diameter, (g) Some, but 

not all of the subcortical oxyasters are of a distinctive category, with numerous roughened 

or minutely spined rays, 2-3 /x in diameter. The spicules have an overall diameter of 

21-36 /x. Individual analyses, lengths in microns: 

Plagiotriaenes 

(rhabds) 

406-956* 

449-674 

782-1058 

Oxeas 

638-1058 (30)* 

624^1137 (25) 

616-1183 (15) 

{clads) 

36-101 (15)* 

33-87 (5) 

65-123 (10) 

Sterrasters 

50-72 (50)* 

58-72 (50) 

52-75 (25) 

Anatriaenes 

{rhabds) 

297-470* 

246-609 

297-500 

[clads) 

7-36 (6)* 

9-29 (25) 

10-35 (10) 

Strongylospherasters 

5-7 (25)* 

5-7 (25) 

5-7 (25) 

Thick-rayed 

Oxyasters 

subcortical oxyasters 

29-46 (25)* 

21-30 (25)* 

24-46 (25) 

22-36 (25) 

24-48 (25) 

26-34 (5) 

A few long, thin promesodiaenes are present in the third specimen. 

DISCUSSION. The species is characterized by its peculiar consistency, thin cortex, small 

megascleres, small sterrasters and subectochrotal spaces. The only other representative 

of the subgenus Cydonium in tropical Atlantic American waters is Geodia glariosus 

(Sollas, 1886, p. 196) of Bahia, Brazil. G. glariosus has very large triaenes, special cortical 

oxeas, and small choanosomal oxyasters. Its ectochrote overlies a layer of coarse sand. 

GENUS ERYLUS Gray 

Erylus ministrongylus n. sp. 

(Text-fig. 14; plate VIII, fig. 3) 

HOLOTYPE. YPM 5046. Drunkenman's Cay, July 6, 1961. 

HABITAT. TWO specimens were collected under rocks in a few feet of water at 

Drunkenman's Cay. 

SHAPE. The holotype is a conical mass with a maximum height of 2.5 cm. The second 

specimen is an incrustation, 1-3 mm in thickness. 

COLOR. The incrusting specimen was off-white in life. Most of one side of the massive 

example was dark brown. The remainder of its surface was white, as was the interior 

of both sponges. The colors are retained in alcohol.


Fig. 14.—Spicules of Erylus ministrongylus. A. Strongyles. B. Aspidasters. C. Centrotylote oxeas. 

D. Few-rayed oxyasters. E. Many-rayed oxyaster. A, B: scale I. C, D, E: scale II. 

YPM 5046. Holotype. 

CONSISTENCY. Very slightly compressible. 

SURFACE. The larger specimen has long broad folds and troughs. Much of its surface 

is riddled with small (inhalant?) openings less than 0.5 mm in diameter. The sponge 

has one apical and two lateral oscules, each about 3 mm in diameter. The small openings 

are absent from some areas, including the regions around the oscules and the tops of 

many folds. The incrusting specimen has small openings over the entire surface and 

no large oscules. Its surface is even. 

ECTOSOME. The cortex, 150-200 LL in thickness, can be detached in flakes. The cortical 

armor is built of many layers of tangentially placed disk spicules (aspidasters). Centrotylote 

oxeas form a sparse covering over the armor and a dense feltwork around the 

small surface openings. The uniporal openings lead to canals which are 40-200 LL in 

diameter. The canal linings contain numerous multi-rayed asters. Smaller numbers of 

oxeas and few-rayed asters are also present in the linings. 

ENDOSOME. The interior is packed with two types of euasters. Centrotylote oxeas are 

common subcortically but become rare in the interior. Strongylote megascleres are scattered 

singly and also grouped into bundles which are 40-150 p in diameter. Many 

bundles are radially or obliquely oriented. The triaenes are subcortical with their 

cladomes spreading under the cortex. A few aspidasters are present in the endosome. 

SPICULES, (a) Orthotriaenes and dicho-orthotriaenes, with a short rhabd. The rhabds 

are 187-311 X 12-17 LL, and the clads 119-319 x 5-13 LL. In most spicules, rhabd length 

is slightly greater than clad length. A few spicules seen in section have clads longer 

than the radially placed rhabd. As examples, triaenes with unbroken rhabds 187, 238, 

238, and 278 LL in length have clad lengths of 136, 211, 244, and 178 LL respectively. 

The clads may be straight, undulating, terminally bent, or dichotomous. The deuteroclads 

are usually very short. For example, clads with a protoclad length of 260, 196 and 140 LL 

have deuteroclads 20, 10 and 20 LL long respectively, (b) Strongyles, straight to very 

slightly curved, 370-551 x 5-23 LL. The majority have rounded, but narrow ends. A few 

are typical blunt strongyles. A very few stylote and oxeote spicules occur, (c) Aspidasters


(disk-spicules). Thin, elliptical, 87 X 43 to 181 X 87 /x. The spicules are only 7-14 //, in 

thickness. Typical sizes are 137 X 79, 145 x 72, and 166 x 79 //,. Their outline is 

usually irregular but seldom jagged. The minute, thickly-strewn tubercles give the surface 

a granular appearance, (d) Smooth centrotylote oxeas, nearly straight to slightly 

curved, 37-80 X 3-5 jx. The central inflation is elongate and ill-defined. For example, 

a spicule with a mid-length diameter of 4 ^ has a diameter of 3 fi at a point adjacent 

to the swelling. A few spicules have lateral as well as mid-length swellings. The ends 

are almost always sharp-pointed. A single spicule found in the incrusting specimen had 

a roughened surface, (e) Few-rayed oxyasters, with 3-6 rays. Ray length varies between 

9 and 33 /x. The rays have a basal diameter of 2-3 p. They are straight, pointed and 

at least distally roughened. A few spicules have very thin rays which seem to be smooth. 

The central meeting point of the rays is only 3 //, in diameter, (f) Multi-rayed oxyasters, 

10-25 p in overall diameter. About a dozen rays project from a central region which is 

2-3 fM in diameter. The rays have a basal diameter of 1 /x. The larger spicules at least 

are minutely roughened. Individual analyses, lengths in microns: (holotype listed first 

in each category). 

Strongyloxeas Aspidasters Centrotylote oxeas 

398-534 (50)* 106 X 70-158 X 64 (25)* 53-80 (50)* 

370-551 (50) 87 X 43-181 X 87 (50) 37-61 (50) 

Few-rayed oxyasters (ray length) Multi-rayed oxyasters (total diam.) 

13-33 (25)* 10-25 (25)* 

9-26 (50) 12-24 (50) 

Triaene clad length Rhabd length 

136-260 (30)* 187-278 (5)* 

119-319 (25) 217-311 (5) 

DISCUSSION. The monaxonid megascleres are unusually small for the genus. The 

Jamaican sponge is related to Erylus euastrum (Schmidt, 1868) which, together with 

its apparent synonym, E. transiens (Weltner), has been reported from the West Indies. 

The Jamaican species differs from Schmidt's (as described by Babi£, 1922, p. 287 and 

Topsent, 1928, p. 115) in having smaller monaxonid spicules and roughened rather 

than smooth-rayed large asters. E. alleni de Laubenfels 1934, of Puerto Rico has smaller 

aspidasters, oxeote megascleres, and very small multi-rayed oxyasters. Its large asters 

have smooth rays. 

FAMILY CHONDRILLIDAE Gray, 1867 

GENUS CHONDRILLA Schmidt 

Chondrilla nucula Schmidt 

Chondrilla nucula Schmidt, 1862, p. 39 [type: Quarnero, Yugoslavia; repository unknown]; 

idem, 1870, p. 26; Schulze, 1877a, p. 108; Carter, 1881, p. 249; idem, 1882, 

p. 268; idem, 1885, p. 200; idem, 1886a, p. 277; idem, 1890, p. 565; Topsent, 1890a, 

p. 27; idem, 1892, p. 56; idem, 1918, p. 601; idem, 1925a, p. 630; Keller, 1891a, p. 

327; Lendenfeld, 1897, p. 37; Wilson, 1902a, p. 386; Verrill, 1907, p. 334; Annandale, 

1915, p. 470; Babic, 1922, p. 269; Burton, 1924b, p. 206; idem, 1934, p. 522; idem, 

1936a, p. 7; Dendy, 1924, p. 314; Arndt, 1927, p. 138; Vosmaer, 1933, p. 293; de 

Laubenfels, 1936b, p. 464; idem, 1949, p. 22: idem, 1950a; p. 133; idem, 1954a, p. 250 

(?); idem, 1956, p. 2, 4; Sara, 1958a, p. 216; Sara and Siribelli, 1960, p. 31; LeVi, 

1959, p. 121; Vacelet, 1959, p. 46; idem, 1961, p. 30; Little, 1963, p. 63. 

[non] Chondrilla nucula, Kieschnick, 1896, p. 534 (fide Thiele, 1900, p. 63); de Laubenfels, 

1935a, p. 12. 

Chondrilla embolophora Schmidt, 1862, p. 39 (fide Topsent, 1918.) 

Chondrilla australiensis, de Laubenfels, 1954a, p. 249 (?) (not Carter, 1873.)


HABITAT. Common on pilings and rocks at Port Royal and at the cays. 

SHAPE. The sponge spreads horizontally over the substratum, attaining a thickness 

of 1-2 mm. 

COLOR. A mottled brown to yellowish-brown, with pale areas around the oscules. 

The interior is drab. In alcohol, the original coloration is retained to a certain extent. 

CONSISTENCY. Tough. 

SURFACE. Smooth, shiny. The oscules are small, scattered and contractile. 

ECTOSOME. A detachable, densely pigmented skin is present. Spherasters of all sizes 

are scattered in it. Dermal pores could not be detected. 

ENDOSOME. The dense flesh is traversed by long, narrow, largely vertical canals, 10-25 

H in diameter. Microscleres are abundant only in the periphery of the endosome and 

in the vicinity of the large canals. 

SPICULES. Spherasters, typically with short, conical rays and with a definite centrum, 

10-40 JJL in total diameter. A varied number of spicules have a relatively small centrum 

and long oxeote rays which are as much as 12 /A in length. Spicules with short blunt 

rays also occur, again in varied numbers. In some specimens ray length as a percentage 

of centrum diameter seldom exceeds 25 per cent. In other specimens ray length is often 

equal to 40-60 per cent of centrum diameter and may even be greater than the centrum 

diameter. Individual analyses, total diameter in microns: 10-34 (75); 15-37 (50); 20-40 

(50); 12-33 (50); 20-40 (50). 

DISTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: Florida—Schmidt, 1870, p. 26; West Coast, 

Florida—Little, 1963, p. 63; Atlantic coast of Panama—de Laubenfels, 1936b, p. 464; 

Venezuela—Carter, 1882, p. 268; Brazil—de Laubenfels, 1956, p. 2, 4; Bermuda— 

Verrill, 1907, p. 334; de Laubenfels—1950a, p. 133; Bahamas—de Laubenfels, 1949, p. 

22; West Indies—Carter, 1881, p. 249; 1882, p. 268; Puerto Rico—Wilson, 1902a, p. 386; 

Antilles—Schmidt, 1870, p. 26; Curasao—Arndt, 1927, p. 138; Fernando Noronha, 

South Atlantic off Brazil—Carter, 1890, p. 565; South Trinidad Is., South Atlantic, off 

Brazil—Dendy, 1924, p. 314. 

Mediterranean-Atlantic: French Mediterranean—Vacelet, 1959, p. 46-48; Ligurean 

Sea, Italy—Sara, 1958a, p. 216; Naples, Italy—Topsent, 1925a, p. 630; Vosmaer, 1933, 

p. 293; Sara and Siribelli, 1960, p. 31; Adriatic—Schmidt, 1862, p. 39; 1862, p. 39 

(as Chondrilla embolophora); Schulze, 1877a, p. 108; Lendenfeld, 1897, p. 37; Babic\ 

1922, p. 269; Mediterranean coast of Egypt—Burton, 1936a, p. 7; Corsica, Vacelet, 1961, 

p. 30; Azores—Topsent, 1890a, p. 27, 1892, p. 56; Gulf of Guinea—L^vi, 1959, p. 121; 

Sao Tom£, West Africa—Topsent, 1918, p. 601; Indo-Pacific: Red Sea—Carter, 1881, 

p. 249; Keller, 1891a, p. 327; Mauritus—Carter, 1881, p. 249; Gulf of Manaar, between 

India and Ceylon—Carter, 1881, p. 249; Mergui Archipelago, off Burma—Annandale, 

1915, p. 470; Moluccas, East Indies—Carter, 1881, p. 249; Australia—Carter, 1885, p. 

200, 1886a, p. 227; Great Barrier Reef, Australia—Burton, 1934, p. 522; West Central 

Pacific—de Laubenfels, 1954a, p. 250 (?); 1954a, p. 249 (as Chondrilla australiensis)}. 

DISCUSSION. Long-rayed spherasters occur in Yale Peabody Museum specimens of 

Chondrilla nucula from Bermuda and the Virgin Islands. Schmidt (1870) reported them 

for his specimens from the Antilles and Florida. De Laubenfels (1935a) referred an 

aspiculous sponge from lower California to Chondrilla nucula. It was presumably a 

Chondrosia. De Laubenfels (1954a) recorded black Pacific sponges as C. nucula Schmidt 

and C. australiensis Carter (1873a). The latter identification is certainly incorrect, as 

the characteristic spined oxyasters of C. australiensis are absent. The long-rayed spicules 

of de Laubenfels' australiensis sponges are similar to those found in the above-mentioned 

West Indian specimens of C. nucula. It therefore seems probable that all of his black 

sponges are conspecific. As his sponges differ sharply from typical specimens of C. nucula 

in color (although not in spicule size), it is possible that they are a distinct species. 

ORDER HOMOSCLEROPHORA Levi 1953 

The Homosclerophora were dispersed in the classification of de Laubenfels (1936a). 

LeVi (1953, 1956b), in reconstituting the group, has emphasized its morphological and 

embryological uniformity.


FAMILY PLAKINIDAE Schulze, sensu Lendenfeld, 1903 

The families Plakinidae and Corticiidae as used by Sollas (1888) and LeVi (1953) 

are very similar and are here considered as a single group. 

GENUS PLAKORTIS Schulze 

Plakortis zyggompha (de Laubenfels) new combination 

Roosa zyggompha de Laubenfels, 1934, p. 2 [type: off Puerto Rico; USNM No. 22277]; 

idem, 1936a, p. 178. 

Plakortis simplex, de Laubenfels (not Schulze, 1880), 1950a, p. 132. 

HABITAT. Under rocks in shallow water at Maiden Cay. 

SHAPE. The seven specimens were small crusts, reaching a maximum thickness of 

4.5 mm. 

COLOR. The exterior, in life and as preserved, is dark brown to drab. The interior 

is of a lighter shade than the surface. 

CONSISTENCY. Tough, rubbery, very slightly compressible. 

SURFACE. Smooth to the touch, even but microtuberculate as seen under a dissecting 

microscope. Five specimens have no obvious oscular openings. Each of the other two has 

a single small oscule. 

ECTOSOME. NO detachable dermis and little dermal specialization. The flesh becomes 

more compact towards the surface. A few possible dermal pores, 20-60 /x in diameter, were 

observed in tangential sections taken at the surface. Narrow inhalant canals run downward 

toward the interior. 

ENDOSOME. The peripheral inhalant canals are collected by larger ones. The compact 

flesh is thickly strewn with spicules. Large convoluted embryos (proper to the sponge?) 

are present in specimens collected in July and August, 1961. 

SPICULES, (a) Diactinal spicules, with gradually pointed ends, 44-126 jx, in length and 

2-3 n in midlength diameter. The spicule is divided into two rays by a swollen, twisted, 

notched or lumpy region. The rays are almost always at an angle, giving the spicule a 

curved or sharply bent outline. The rays themselves may be bent. Thinner, developmental 

stages may be present. Individual analyses, length in microns, 75 diactinal spicules 

each: 56-115; 54-126; 63-117; 44-119. (b) Triactinal spicules, always less frequent 

than the diactinal ones, and rare in some specimens. The triactinals are sometimes regular 

and equiangular, but are more frequently sagittal and inequiangular in some degree. 

The rays are sharp-pointed, straight to curved and often twisted or lumpy at the base. 

A lumpy midregion occasionally has one or more short projections in addition to the 

usual 3 rays. Normal rays are 24-46 x 2-3 /x. (c) Rare Y-shaped and roughened ovoid 

spicules, 5-10 ju, in length. A few of the roughened spicules have short rays, indicating 

a derivation from the diactinal spicules. 


1936a, p. 178 (as Roosa zyggompha); Bermuda—de Laubenfels, 1950a, p. 132 (as Plakortis 

simplex) ?; Puerto Rico—de Laubenfels, 1934, p. 2 (as Roosa zyggompha). 

DISCUSSION. De Laubenfels (1934, p. 2) established Roosa zyggompha for Puerto Rican 

sponges similar in spiculation to Plakortis simplex Schulze. He later concluded (1950a, p. 

132) that the West Indian sponges were conspecific with Schulze's species. W. D. Hartman 

(personal communication) has pointed out the presence of minute spicules in West Indian 

Plakortis-like sponges. Such spicules are present, although rare, in U. S. National Muesum 

specimen number 22490. The specimen was collected at the Dry Tortugas and identified 

as Roosa zyggompha by de Laubenfels. The West Indian sponge is unlikely to be conspecific 

with Plakortis simplex Schulze. If the small microscleres are consistently present, 

and not developmental stages, Roosa de Laubenfels could be treated as a distinct genus.

DISTRIBUTION BY HABITAT 77 

GENUS CORTICIUM Schmidt 

Corticium tetralophum n. sp. 

(Text-fig. 15) 

HOLOTYPE. YPM 5047. Maiden Cay, Aug. 12, 1961. 

HABITAT. The single specimen was collected at Maiden Cay. 

SHAPE. A small incrustation with a maximum thickness of 2.5 mm. 

COLOR. The sponge was a dull yellow in life and is a grayish-beige in alcohol. 


SURFACE. The thin detachable ectosome contains numerous tetraloph spicules. A few 

triradiates are also present. No ostia could be found. 

ENDOSOME. Tetralophs and a few triradiates are sparsely scattered in the flesh. The 

ovoid flagellated chambers are 35-50 p in maximum diameter. Convoluted embryos 

(proper to the sponge?) are present in the specimen collected in early August. 

I I 

10// 

Fig. 15.—Spicules of Corticium tetralophum. Tetralophs. YPM 5047. Holotype. 

SPICULES, (a) Tetralophs, 17-30 //, in total diameter (100 spicules). The protoclads 

are 3 ^ in diameter. They bear 2-6, typically 4, deuteroclads. The latter are about equal 

in length to the protoclads. The smooth protoclads are 1-2 fi in basal diameter. Smooth 

and rough or spiny deuteroclads may be present on the same spicule. A typical spicule 

has 4 similar deuteroclads on each of the 4 rays. A rhabd cannot be distinguished from 

3 clads. (b) Very rare trilophate spicules, with the unbranched ray shortened or bent. 

The spicules are similar in size to the tetralophs. (c) Rare, thin triradiates and tetraradiates, 

10-17 JJL in total diameter (15 spicules). Some or all of the rays are terminally 

branched. The rays are only 1 p in basal diameter. The spicules may be developmental 

stages of the tetralophs and trilophs. 

DISCUSSION. The species is characterized by the lack of a special category of heterolophose 

candelabra. In addition, modified calthrops are absent. Two other species of 

Corticium occur in the West Indies. C. versatile Schmidt, 1880, has peculiar candelabras 

and variously modified calthrops. C. quadripartitum Topsent, 1923, has special dermal 

heterolophose candelabras. Its tetralophs are similar in form to those of the Jamaican 

sponge but are slightly larger in size. 

DISTRIBUTION BY HABITAT 

The sponge fauna of individual habitats can now be summarized. 

(A) Port Royal Docks: The common species are: 

Ircinia fasciculata Halichondria melanadocia 

Ircinia strobilina Tedania ignis 

Darwinella rosacea Microciona microchela 

Desmapsamma anchorata Microciona rarispinosa 

Iotrochota birotulata Mycale laevis 

Gelliodes areolata 

The following species were present but less common: 

Verongia fistularis Placospongia carinata 

Dysidea fragilis Zygomycale parishii


Sponges were the dominant members of the sessile seawall community, which 

also included mussels, barnacles and ascidians. The species exhibited no obvious 

zonation on the piers and seawalls. Very large specimens of Ircinia fasciculata, 

Ircinia strobilina and Verongia fistularis were restricted to the base of the seawall. 

At that depth (8-10 ft.), sponges are certainly less subject to the surface salinity 

changes noted by Goodbody (1961) after heavy rains. 

(B) Port Royal Harbor: 

Verongia longissima 

Spheciospongia vesparia 

(C) Rasta's Wreck: 

Iotrochota birotulata Tedania ignis 

Sigmadocia caerulea Microciona microchela 

Halichondria melanadocia Microciona rarispinosa 

Halichondria magniconulosa Mycale laevis 

Sponges and ascidians were the most conspicuous elements of the wreck fauna. 

The microcionids incrusted mussel shells growing on the wreck. Microciona 

microchela covered large areas of the timbers as a thin film. Halichondria magniconulosa 

was found only in this habitat. 

(D) Port Royal turtle grass bed: 

Haliclona doria Mycale microsigmatosa 

Haliclona erina Tethya seychellenis 

Mycale microsigmatosa and Tethya seychellensis grew on turtle grass blades. 

The other two species of Tethya at Port Royal were restricted to the rocky 

environment of the cays. Haliclona doria formed repent colonies over the mud 

and turtle grass with most of the branches above the level of the substratum. 

Most specimens of Haliclona erina grew at the border between turtle grass and 

sand, near Rasta's wreck. 

(E) Mangroves bordering inlet: 

Dysidea fragilis Tedania ignis 

Sigmodocia caerulea Mycale laevis 

Halichondria melanadocia 

Sponges and ascidians covered many mangrove roots. 

(F) Main Boat Channel: The common species were: 

Darwinella rosacea Ulosa hispida 

Haliclona hogarthi Terpios zeteki 

Adocia implexiformis Geodia (Cydonium) papyracea 

Pellina coeliformis Geodia (Geodia) gibberosa 

Halichondria melanadocia 

Less common species were: 

Ircinia fasciculata Haliclona erina 

Dysidea fragilis Mycale microsigmatosa 

Sponges and ascidians covered a majority of the mangrove roots bordering the 

channel. Most species grew only on the root systems. A few specimens of Geodia

DISTRIBUTION BY HABITAT 79 

gibberosa and Terpios zeteki were found in the stream bed. Pellina coeliformis 

and a few specimens of Haliclona erina grew over the surface of Geodia gibberosa. 

A single root system often served as the substratum for several species of 

sponge. The species exhibited no obvious horizontal or vertical zonation. 

The channel sponges were unaffected by the moderate autumn rains of 1961. 

Heavy seasonal rains are known to produce a surface layer of low salinity water 

in Kingston Harbor which is fatal to sponges (cf. Goodbody, 1961). 

The mangrove channel fauna has a sharply limited distribution at Port Royal. 

Six of the nine common species were growing exclusively in the mangroves, and 

none were found at the cays. Three of the five common species of habitat E did 

not extend into the channels. 

(G) Pigeon House Pile: 

Ircinia fasciculata 

Oligoceras hemorrhages 

Darwinella rosacea 

Haliclona erina 

(H) Shallow water at the cays: 


Ircinia strobilina 

Neofibularia massa 

Adocia albifragilis 

Acanthacarnus souriei 

Spirastrella coccinea 

Anthosigmella varians 

Diplastrella megastellata 

Cliona vermifera 

Most species, including Neofibularia massa, were incrustations growing on the 

underside of rocks. The heavy surf may exclude most massive species. Twelve 

of the seventeen species were collected only in this habitat. Only three species 

were also found in shallow water at Port Royal. 

(I) Deep water near cays: 


Ircinia strobilina 

Verongia fistularis 

(Ianthella ardis, in 

St. Thomas Parish.) 

Haliclona rub ens 

Desmapsamma anchorata 

Anthosigmella varians 

Placospongia carinata 

Geodia (Geodia) gibberosa 

Cliona viridis 

Placospongia carinata 

Tethya actinia 

Tethya sp. 

Erylus ministrongylus 

Chondrilla nucula 

Plakortis zyggompha 

Corticium tetralophum 

Neofibularia massa 

Iotrochota birotulata 

Gailyspongia fallax 

Callyspongia vaginalis 

Callyspongia plicifera 

Thalyseurypon conulosa 

Six of the species were restricted to this habitat. Most specimens of Neofibularia 

massa were distinctly vasiform, with upright growth, rather than thickly incrusting. 

(J) Offshore turtle grass beds: 

Oligoceras hemorrhages 

Dysidea fragilis 

Adocia carbonaria 

Sigmadocia caerulea 

Tedania ignis 

Lissodendoryx isodictyalis 

Tethya seychellensis


The offshore turtle grass beds have a sponge fauna quite unlike that of the Port 

Royal turtle grass area. The offshore beds are sandy rather than muddy and subject 

to considerable surf. The sponges grew at the base of the turtle grass clumps 

and on stones; none grew on the turtle grass blades. Adocia carbonaria and Lissodendoryx 

isodictyalis were found only in this habitat. 

FIELD KEY TO THE SPONGES OF PORT ROYAL 

The key is designed for use as a preliminary guide in field work. It is based 

on the appearance in life of typical members of each species. The key must be 

used with caution, and all identifications should be confirmed by comparison 

with the description. Undescribed species may be found, particularly at the 

outer cays and in slightly deeper water. Interesting specimens should be preserved 

in alcohol, after completing field notes, and sent to the author. 

The color in life is used for an initial division. 

A—Black and grayish-black. 

B—Blue and blue-green. 

C—Brown or tan. 

D—Gray. 

E—Green. 

F—Orange. 

G—Pink. 

H—Purple. 

I—Red and red-orange. 

J—White and off-white. 

K—Yellow. 

Glossary of terms: 

Conule—a spike-shaped, thorn-like projection. 

Oscule—a large exhalant opening on the surface. 

(A) Near black and grayish-black. 

1—Conulose—2. 

1—Not conulose—3. 

2—Conules 3-7 mm high; massive; fetid—Ircinia strobilina. 

2—Conules less than 1 mm high; vasiform—Verongia fistularis (Turns black 

soon after collection; in life, has a yellow color.) 

3—Old specimens much larger than fist-sized; with clusters of oscules—Spheciospongia 

vesparia. 

3—Fist-sized or smaller; without clusters of oscules—4. 

4—Black; brittle; repent to lobate; stains alcohol blue-black—Adocia carbonaria. 

4—Near-black, with greenish tinge in interior; compressible; massive—Halichondria 

melanadocia. 

(B) Blue or blue-green. 

1—Conulose—Dysidea fragilis. 


2—Incrusting; blue-green, speckled with red-orange embryos—Mycale microsigmatosa. 

2—Massive or lobate—3.

FIELD KEY 81 

3—Tough; with skin-like surface; oscules flush with surface—Terpios zeteki. 

3—Compressible; surface not skin-like; with oscular projections or lobes—Sigmadocia 

caerulea. 

(C) Brown or tan. 



2—Massive, usually larger than fist-sized; conules 0.5-3 mm high; fetid—Ircinia 

fasciculata. 

2—Small, lobate; conules less than 1 mm high; red exudate omitted upon handling 

after death—Oligoceras hemorrhages. 

3—Thinly incrusting—4. 

3—Not thinly incrusting—7. 

4—Surface with a stony armor of polygonal plates—Placospongia carinata. 

4—Surface unarmored—5. 

5—Consistency tough or rubbery—6. 

5—Consistency not tough or rubbery—Spirastrella coccinea or Diplastrella megastellata. 

6—Mottled glossy surface, with pale areas around oscules—Chondrilla nucula. 

6—Uniformly brown, not glossy—Plakortis zyggompha. 

7—Brittle or stiff—8. 

7—Not brittle or stiff-—9. 

8—Thickly incrusting to massive; stiff; dull brown—Anthosigmella varians. 

8—Report, cylindrical branches; brittle; dark brown—Haliclona doria. 

9—Easily crumbled; rough surface; massive or vasiform; irritating to the hands— 

Neofibularia massa. 

9—Tough; with skin-like surface—10. 

10—Dark brown; cortex removable in flakes—Erylus ministrongylus. 

10—Tan or brown; cortex not removable in flakes—Zygomycale parishii. 

(D) Gray. 


1—Not conulose—Erylus ministrongylus. 

2—Tough; conules 3-7 mm high; fetid—Ircinia strobilina. 

2—Soft; conules 0.5-1 mm high—Dysidea fragilis. 

(E) Green. 

1—Spherical or hemispherical; tuberculate—some specimens of Tethya are colored 

green by algae; see under orange. 

1—Not spherical—2. 

2—Easily crumbled; without a skin; massive to ramose—Haliclona erina. 

2—Tough; surface skin-like; lobate to digitate—Terpios zeteki. 

(F) Orange. 

1—Spherical or hemispherical; tuberculate—2. 


2—Spherical; usually larger than 1 cm in diameter; on turtle grass—Tethya seychellensis. 

3—Incrusting—4. 

3—Not incrusting—5. 

4—Smooth speckled, with red-orange embryos—Mycale microsigmatosa.


4—Projecting spicules and fleshy tufts conspicuous; uniformly orange—Ulosa 

hispida. 

5—Compressible; with rimmed oscules—Mycale laevis. 

5—Tough; oscules flush with surface—Terpios zeteki. 

(G) Pink, 

1—Ramose—Desmapsamma anchorata. 


2—Conulose—Darwinella rosacea. 

2—Smooth—3. 

3—Tough; with pinkish-orange interior—Microciona microchela. 

3—Soft, speckled, with red-orange embryos—Mycale microsigmatosa. 

(H) Purple. 



2—With only a few thorn-like conules on an otherwise smooth surface; dull 

purple—Callyspongia fallax. 

2—With numerous conules—3. 

3—Cheese-like consistency; bluish-purple—Ianthella ardis. 

3—Characters otherwise—4. 

4—Very dark purple—5. 

4—Light purple—6. 

5—Dark reddish purple—Thalyseurypon conulosa. 

5—Nearly black, with a greenish tinge in life; orange zoanthids on surface— 

Iotrochota birotulata. 

6—Tough; reddish-purple; fetid—Ircinia fasciculata. 

6—Soft; pale purple—Dysidea fragilis. 

7—Vasiform—8. 

7—Not vasiform—9. 

8—With a paper-thin terminal collar—Callyspongia plicifera. 

8—Without a collar—Callyspongia vaginalis. 

9—Tough; with a skin-like surface—10. 

9—Characters otherwise. 

10—Lobate or digitate; on mangroves—Terpios zeteki. 

10—Usually with elongate branches; on pilings—Zygomycale parishii. 

11—Massive, with a fetid odor—Lissodendoryx isodictyalis. 

11—Ramose or with oscular projections—12. 

12—Easily crumbled, with oscular projections—Adocia implexiformis. 

12—Not easily crumbled, cylindrical branches, oscules flush with surface—13. 

13—Limp; an anastomosing repent complex of branches—Haliclona hogarthi. 

13—Compressible; with a very rough surface; with stout, flattened erect branches 

—Gelliodes areolata. 

(I) Red-orange and red. 



2—Massive; reddish-purple; fetid odor—Ircinia fasciculata. 

2—Cylindrical; dull red—Verongia longissima (Yellow in life, changing soon 

after collection.) 

3—Spherical; tuberculate—Tethya seychellensis.

ZOOGEOGRAPHICAL NOTES 83 


4—Boring, with papillae at surface of substratum—Cliona vermifera. 

4—Not boring—5. 



6—Punctiform surface; on shells and pilings at Port Royal—Microciona rarispinosa. 

6—Surface not punctiform; on rocks at cays—Acanthacarnus souriei (Spirastrella 

coccinea has been reported as red in the literature.) 

7—Massive or lobate; red-orange; with conspicuous red-orange gemmules in the 

interior—Tedania ignis. 

7—Characters otherwise-—8. 

8—With a skin-like surface—Terpios zeteki. 

8—Without a skin-like surface—9. 

9—Dark red, retaining that color in preservative—Haliclona rubens. 

9—Pale color, dull red or reddish-purple—10. 

10—Reddish-purple; limp, a repent complex of branches—Haliclona hogarthi. 

10—Dull red; compressible; with stout flattened erect branches; with a rough surface—Gelliodes 

areolata. 

(J) White and off-white. 

1—Massive—2. 


2—Leathery to stony; with a thick rigid cortex; with conspicuous sieve areas— 

Geodia gibber osa. 

2—Easily crushed; with a paper-like cortex; without oscular areas—Geodia 

papyracea. 

3—Oscules flush with the surface—Adocia albifragilis. 

3—Oscules on high paper-thin tubes—Pellina coeliformis. 

(K) Yellow. 



2—Vasiform—Verongia fistularis. 

2—Not vasiform—3. 

3—Cylindrical—Verongia longissima. 

3—Massive—Ianthella ardis. 

4—Boring sponges with papillae at the surface of the substratum—Cliona viridis. 

4—Not boring—5. 

5—Incrusting—Corticium tetralophum. 


6—Lobate, soft—Callyspongia pallida. 

6—Massive, tough—Halichondria magniconulosa. 

ZOOGEOGRAPHICAL NOTES 

According to present records, most Jamaican sponges have a limited distribution. 

Of the 57 recorded species, (including three not found in the present study), 

18 have not been collected elsewhere. An additional 20 species, including the 

partially classified one, are known only from tropical Atlantic American waters. 

About two-thirds of the Jamaican fauna (38 species) are therefore endemic to the


region. Five other species, Ircinia fasciculata, 7. strobilina, Verongia lacunosa, 

Adocia carbonaria, and Tedania ignis, may or may not be conspecific with morphologically 

similar sponges in other parts of the world. 

Ten species are widely distributed outside the West Indies. Dysidea fragilis, 

Lissodendoryx isodictyalis, Cliona viridis, and Chondrilla nucula are circumtropical 

or nearly so, and the first three have also been reported from temperate 

waters. Other widespread species are Desmapsamma anchorata (West Africa, 

Indo-Pacific), Zygomycale parishii (Indo-Pacific), Spirastrella coccinea (Tropical 

Pacific America, West Africa, Mediterranean-Atlantic), Cliona vermifera (Mediterranean, 

Central Pacific), Placospongia carinata (Indo-Pacific, tropical Pacific 

America), and Tethya seychellensis (Indo-Pacific). The disjunct patterns indicate 

the fragmentary state of our present knowledge. In addition, several of the 

supposed species, such as Lissodendoryx isodictyalis and Cliona viridis, may prove 

to be complexes of closely related species. 

Of the remaining five species, Tethya actinia has been recorded from the West 

Central Pacific. Acanthacarnus souriei has been previously recorded only from 

West Africa and the Mediterranean. Geodia gibberosa and Mycale microsigmatosa 

also occur in West Africa. The former species has been collected at the 

Pacific end of the Panama canal. The latter species has been recorded from the 

Pacific coast of Panama and from the Hawaiian Islands. Terpios zeteki is known 

from both coasts of Panama, the Gulf of California and the Hawaiian Islands. 

The coasts of Central America require careful distributional studies. Several 

other West Indian species are found on the Pacific side of Panama (cf. de Laubenfels, 

1936b) and a few reach the Gulf of California, (cf. Dickinson, 1945). 

De Laubenfels (1950b, 1951a) recorded a number of species which are common 

to the West Indies and Hawaii. The Jamaican specimens of Mycale microsigmatosa 

and Terpios zeteki agree closely with his Hawaiian descriptions. The 

presence of a considerable number of species common to both sides of the Isthmus 

of Panama, a barrier in existence since the Pliocene, raises the possibility of 

transport by ship in very recent times. De Laubenfels indeed found a Panamanian 

sponge, presumably Mycale cecilia = M. microsigmatosa, on dry-docked ships at 

Pearl Harbor (cf. de Laubenfels, 1950b, p. 4). 

The present study suggests that the Jamaican shallow-water fauna has close 

affinities with those of the southern Caribbean. Nine species have been previously 

recorded only from that little-known area. Burton (1930) has suggested that the 

distribution of sponges is closely related to ocean currents which can transport 

larvae. Jamaica lies in the path of surface currents which run from the Lesser 

Antilles and the Venezuelan coast toward the Yucatan Channel. Only a few Jamaican 

species have been recorded from Bermuda and North Carolina which 

are rather distant from Jamaica in terms of the paths of ocean currents. Burton's 

theory could be tested further by studying the sponge fauna of the Lesser 

Antilles; a strong West African element would be expected through the transport 

of larvae by the equatorial currents. 

SUMMARY 

A total of 54 species have been recorded in a systematic study of the shallow 

water sponges of Port Royal, Jamaica. The new genus Neofibularia is proposed 

for the preoccupied name Fibularia Carter. Sixteen of the species are new to 

science, namely: Darwinella rosacea, Haliclona hogarthi, Adocia implexiformis, 

Adocia albifragilis, Pellina coeliformis, Sigmadocia caerulea, Callyspongia pallida,

LITERATURE CITED 85 

Halichondria magniconulosa, Microciona microchela, Microciona rarispinosa, 

Thalyseurypon conulosa, Ulosa hispida, Diplastrella megastellata, Geodia (Cydonium) 

papyracea, Erylus ministrongylus, and Corticium tetralophum. 

LITERATURE CITED 

References through 1913 are dated in accordance with the bibliography of Vosmaer 

and can be found in that volume. The letters a, b, c, etc., have been employed in place 

of the alpha, beta, gamma system used by Vosmaer. Pre-1913 references, when listed by 

Vosmaer, are not included in the present bibliography. 

Pre-1913 references: 

Vosmaer, G. C. J., 1923. Bibliography of sponges, 1551-1913. Cambridge Univ. Press, 

London. 234 p. 

Later references, and references not listed by Vosmaer: 

Alander, Harald, 1942. Sponges from the Swedish West coast and adjacent waters. Goteborg, 

Henrik Struves. 1-95. 

Annandale, Nelson, 1915. Indian boring sponges of the family Clionidae. Rec. Indian 

Mus., vol. 11 (1): 1-24. 

Arndt, Walther, 1927. Kalk-und Kieselschwamme von Curasao. Bijdr. Dierk. Amsterdam, 

vol. 25: 133-158. 

1943. Die tiergeographische Gliederung der Schwammfauna der Nord- und Ostsee. 

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1924b. The genus Chondrilla. Ann. Mag. nat. Hist., Vol. (9) 14: 206-209. 

1929. Porifera II. Antarctic Sponges. Nat. Hist. Rep. Terra Nova Exped. Zool., 

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1930. Norwegian sponges from the Norman collection. Proc. zool. Soc. London: 

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1932. Sponges. 'Discovery* Rep., vol. 6: 237-392. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.). 

1933. Report on a small collection of sponges from Stil Bay, South Africa. Ann. 

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1934. Sponges. Sci. Rep. Gr. Barrier Reef Exped., vol. IV (14): 513-621. Brit. Mus. 

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1936a Sponges. The fishery grounds near Alexandria. Notes Fish. Res. Div. Cairo, 

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1936b. Notes on sponges from South Africa, with descriptions of new species. 

Ann. Mag. nat. Hist., vol. 17: 141-147. 

1937. The littoral fauna of Krusadai Island in the Gulf of Manaar. Bull. Madras 

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1948. Marine sponges of the Congo coast. Bull. Inst. roy. Colon. Beige, vol. 19 (3): 

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1954. The "Rosaura" expedition, 5. Sponges. Bull. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) Zool., 

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1956. The sponges of West Africa. Atlantide Rpt. vol. 4: 111-147. Danish Science 

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1959a. Sponges. Sci. Rep. Murray Exped., vol. 10 (5): 151-281. Brit. Mus. (Nat. 

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1959b. Sponges. Zool. Iceland, vol. 2 (3-4): 1-71. 

Burton, Maurice and Rao, H. S., 1932. Report on the shallow water marine sponges in 

the collection of the Indian Museum. Rec. Indian Mus. vol. 34: 299-358. 

De Laubenfels, M. W., 1932a. Physiology and morphology of Porifera exemplified by 

Iotrochota birotulata Higgin. Carnegie Institution of Washington Publication No. 

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1932b. The marine and fresh water sponges of California. Proc. U. S. nat. Mus., 

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1934. New sponges from the Puerto Rican deep. Smithson. Misc. Coll., vol. 91, 

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1935a. Some sponges of Lower California (Mexico). Amer. Mus. Novit. 779: 1-14. 

1935b. A collection of sponges from Puerto Galera, Mindora, Philippine Islands. 

Philipp. J. Sci., vol. 56 (3): 327-336. 

1936a. Sponge fauna of the Dry Tortugas. Carnegie Inst, of Washington Publication 

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1936b. A comparison of the shallow water sponges near the Pacific end of the 

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441-466. 

1939. Sponges collected on the Presidential Cruise of 1938. Smithson. Misc. Coll., 

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1947. Ecology of the sponges of a brackish water environment at Beaufort, N.C. 

Ecol. Monogr., vol. 17: 31-46. 

1948. The order of Keratosa of the Phylum Porifera. A monographic study. Occ. 

Pap. Allan Hancock Fdn. No. 3: 1-217. 

1949. Sponges of the Western Bahamas. Amer. Mus. Novit. no. 1431: 1-25. 

1950a. The Porifera of the Bermuda Archipelago. Trans, zool. Soc. Lond., vol. 27 

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1950b. Sponges of Kaneohe Bay. Pacif. Sci., vol. IV (1): 3-36. 

. 1951a. Sponges of the island of Hawaii. Pacif. Sci., vol. V. (3): 256-271. 

1951b. A collection of sponges from the Black Sea. Arch. Hydrobiol. Bd. XLV: 

213-216. 

1953a. Sponges of the Gulf of Mexico. Bull. Mar. Sci. Gulf Caribbean, vol. 2 (3): 

511-557. 

1953b. A guide to the sponges of Eastern North America. Special Publ. U. of 

Miami: 1-32. 

« 1954a. The sponges of the West-central Pacific. Oregon State Monogr. Zool., no. 7: 

1-306. 

1954b. Occurrence of sponges in an aquarium. Pacif. Sci., vol. VIII (3): 337-340. 

1955. Sponges of Onotoa. Pacif. Sci., vol. IX (2): 137-143. 

1956. Preliminary discussion of the sponges of Brazil. Oceanographica Biologica 

Universidade de Sao Paulo, No. 1: 1-4. 

1957. New species and records of Hawaiian sponges. Pacif. Sci., vol. XI (2) 236- 

251. 

Dendy, Arthur, 1916a. Report on the non-calcareous sponges collected by Mr. James 

Hornell at Okhamandal in Kattiawar in 1905-6. In: Hornell, J., Report to the government 

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1916b. Report on the Homosclerophora and Astrotetraxonida collected by H. M. S. 

Sealark in the Indian Ocean. Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Zool.), vol. 17: 225-271. 

1921. Report on the Sigmatotetraxonida collected by H. M. S. Sealark in the 

Indian Ocean. Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Zool.), vol. 18: 1-164. 

1924. Porifera 1. Non-Antarctic Sponges. Nat. Hist. Rep. Terra Nova Exped., 

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Dendy, Arthur and Frederick, L. M., 1924. On a collection of sponges from Abrolhos 

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Dickinson, M. G., 1945. Sponges of the Gulf of California. Allan Hancock Pacif. Exped., 

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Ekman, Sven, 1953. Zoogeography of the Sea. Sidgewick and Jackson, London. 417 p. 

Goodbody, I. M., 1961. Mass mortality of a marine fauna following tropical rains. Ecology, 

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George, W. C. and Wilson, H. V., 1919. Sponges of Beaufort (N.C.) harbor and vicinity. 

Bull. U. S. Bur. Fish, vol. 36: 133-179. 

Hallmann, E. F., 1914. A revision of the monaxonid species described as new in Lendenfeld's 

"Catalogue of the sponges," in the Australian Museum. Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., 

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Hartman, W. D., 1955. A collection of sponges from the West Coast of the Yucatan 

Peninsula with descriptions of two new species. Bull. Mar. Sci. Gulf Caribbean, vol. 

5 (3): 161-189. 

1958. Natural History of the Marine Sponges of Southern New England. Bull. 

Peabody Mus., vol. 12: 1-155. 

Hentschel, Ernst, 1923. Porifera. In: Handbuch der Zoologie, von W. Kukenthal. Berlin. 

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1929. Die Kiesel-und Hornschwamme des Nordlichen Eismeers. Fauna Arct., vol. 

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Hernandez, F. F., 1916. Fauna del Mediterraneo occidental esponjas espanolas. Trab. 

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1917. Esponjas del litoral de Asturias. Trab. Mus. cienc. nat., Zool., vol. 36: 5-39, 

Hopkins, S. H., 1956. The boring sponges which attack South Carolina Oysters, with 

notes on some associated organisms. Contr. Bears Bluff Lab., vol. 23: 3-30. 

Kumar, A., 1925. Report on some tetraxonid sponges in the collection of the Indian 

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Levi, Claude, 1952. Spongiaires de la cote du S£n£gal. Bull. Inst, franc,. Afr. Noire, vol. 

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1953. Description de Plakortis nigra n. sp. et remarques sur les Plakinidae. (Demosponges). 

Bull. Mus. Hist. nat. Paris., ser. 2, vol. 25 (3): 320-327. 

1956a. Spongiaires des cotes de Madagascar. M&n. Inst. sci. Madagascar, vol. (4) 

10: 2-23. 

1956b. £tude des Halisarca de Roscoff. Embryologie et Systematique des De*mosponges. 

Arch. Zool. exp. gen., vol. 93 (1): 1-181. 

1957. Spongiaires des cotes d'Israel. Bull. Res. Council Israel, vol. 6 (B) (3-4): 201- 

212. 

1959. Spongiaires. Result, sci. Camp. "Calypso," fasc. 4, Ann. Inst, oceanogr. 

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1960. Spongiaires des cotes occidentales africaines. Bull. Inst. fran$. Afr. noire, 

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Little, F. J., Jr., 1963. The sponge fauna of the St. George's Sound, Apalachee Bay, and 

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McDougall, K. D., 1943. Sessile marine invertebrates of Beaufort, N.C. Ecol. Monogr., 

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Rao, M. S., 1941. Indian and Ceylon sponges of the Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet Stockholm 

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Rutzler, Klaus, and Sara, Michele, 1962. Diplastrella ornata, eine neue mediterrane Art 

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Sara, Michele, 1958a. Contributo alia conoscenze dei Porifera del Mar Ligure. Ann. Mus. 

Civ. Sc. Nat. Genova, vol. 70: 207-244. 

1958b. Studio sui Porifera di una grotta di marea del golfo di Napoli. Arch. 

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1960a. Poriferi del litorale dell Isola d'Ischia e loro ripartizione per ambienti. 

Pubbl. Staz. zool. Napoli, vol. 31: 421-472. 

1960b. Poriferi di scogliera artificiale nel Golfo di Napoli. Ann. Pontificio Istituto 

Superiore di Scienze e lettere "Santa Chiara". Napoli, vol. 10: 259-269. 

1961a. La fauna di Poriferi delle grotte delle isole Tremiti. Studio ecologico e 

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Stephens, Jane, 1915. Atlantic sponges collected by the Scottish National Antarctic 

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1917. Sponges collected by the dredging expeditions of the Royal Irish Academy 

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1920a. Spongiaires du Muse*e zoologique de Strasbourg. Monaxonides. Bull. Inst. 

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1920b. Sur quelques sponges du cabinet du Professeur Hermann, demerits et 

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1924. Revision des Mycale de l'Europe occidentale. Ann. Inst, oceanogr. Monaco, 

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1928. Spongiaires de l'Atlantique et de la M£diterran£e provenant des croisieres 

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1930. Sponges de Lamarck conserves au Museum de Paris. Arch. Mus. Hist. nat. 

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1932. Sponges de Lamarck conserves au Museum de Paris. 2. Arch. Mus. Hist. 

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1933b. Notes sur les Clionides. Arch. Zool. exp. g£n., vol. 74 (28): 549-579. 

1934. Sponges observees dans les parages de Monaco. 1. Bull. Inst, oceanogr. 

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1936. Sponges observers dans les parages de Monaco. 2. Bull. Inst, oceanogr. 

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1938. Contribution nouvelle a la connaissance des sponges des cotes d'Algesic 

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SYSTEMATIC INDEX 

Numbers in boldface refer to detailed descriptions of species; numbers in italics refer to text 

illustrations; plate references are in capital Roman numerals. 

Acanthacarnus, 40; levii, 40; souriei, 7, 40, 79, 

83-84 

acanthifolium, Pandaros, 45 

acerata, Iotrochota, 24 

aceratoobtusa, Microciona, 44 

actinia, Tethya, 7, 66-67, 79, 84 

Adocia, 26, 27; albifragilis, vi, 1, 6, 28-29, 28, 

79, 83-84; baeri, 28; carbonaria, vi, 6, 26-27, 

79-80, 84, III; chilensis, 28; grossa, 28; implexiformis, 

vi, 1, 6, 27-28, 27, 78, 82, 84, II; 

neens, 29; tubifera, 28 

Adociidae, v, 1, 5, 6, 26 

albifragilis, Adocia, vi, 1, 6, 28-29, 28, 79, 83-84 

Alcyonium, purpureum, 54; vesparium, 57 

Alemo seychellensis, 65-66 

alleni, Erylus, 74 

Amphilectidae, 1, 5, 45 

Amphimedon arborescens, 19 

anchorata, Desmapsamma, vi, 6, 21-22, 77, 79, 

82, 84, II; Fibularia, 21-22 

andrewsii, Spirastrella, 4, 57, 58 

angulata, Hymeniacidon, 61-62 

angulosa, Spongia, 51 

angulospiculata, Epipolasis, 4 

angulospiculatus, Suberites, 4, 6 

anhelans, Tedania, 37-38 

Anthosigmella, 55, 57; coronarius, 4, 56; varians, 

vi, 4, 7, 55-57, 79, 81, VII 

Aplysillidae, v, 6, 17 

Aplysina, 14; cauliformis, 13-14; fenestrata, 13; 

fistularis, 12; flagelliformis, 4, 13-14; flagelliformis 

rugosa, 13; hirsuta, 12; longissima, 13; 

praetexta, 13; spengelii, 4 

arborescens, Amphimedon, 19 

arcuata, Papillina, 56-57 

ardw, Ianthella, 6, 16-17, 79, 82-83 

areolata, Gelliodes, vi, 5-6, 25-26, 77, 82-83, II; 

Halichondria, 15; Haliclona, 25; Pachychalina, 

25 

aspinosa, Callyspongia, 37 

atlantica, Poterion, 57-58 

aurantiaca, Pachychalina, 26 

aurea, Verongia, 14 

australiensis, Chondrilla, 74-75 

Axocielita, 44; kilauea, 44; linda, 44 

Axociella, 43-44; cfl/Ja, 44 

6

conulosa, Thalyseurypon, vi, 1, 7, 44-45, 44, 79, 

82, 85, VI 

copiosa, Clathria, curacaoensis, 42 

coriacea, Dysidea, 15 

coronaria, Cliona, 56; Spirastrella, 56 

coronarius, Anthosigmella, 4, 56 

Corticiidae, 76 

Corticium, 77; quadripartitum, 77; tetralophum, 

vi, 1, 8, 77, 77, 79, 83, 85; versatile, 77 

crassissima, Mycale, 51 

Cribrella labiata, 61 

cribrosa, Papillina, 57 

cunctatrix, Spirastrella, 54-55; Spirastrella, porcata, 

55; Spirastrella, robusta, 55 

Cydonium, 70-72 

Darwinella, 17-18; intermedia, 18; joyeuxi, 18; 

miilleri, 18; rosacea, 1, 6, 17-18, 77-79, 82, 84 

decumbens, Spirastrella, 54-55 

dendroides, Ircinia, 10 

Desmacidon, carterianum, 21-22; reptans, 21-22 

Desmacidonidae, v, 6, 21, 45 

Desmapsamma, 21-22; anchorata, vi, 6, 21-22, 

77, 79, 82, 84, II 

digitata, Reniera, 37-38; Tedania, 37-38; Tecfama, 

bermudensis, 37-38 

Diplastrella, 58-59; bistellata, 54; megastellata, 

vi, 1, 7, 58-59, 5S, 79, 81, 85, VII; ornata, 59 

diploderma, Tethya, 66-67 

Donatia, ingalli seychellensis, 65; seychellensis, 

65-66; viridis, 65-66 

doria, Haliclona, vi, 6, 18, 78, 81, I 

Duseideia fragilis, 14-16 

Dysidea, 14; coriacea, 15; etheria, 16; fragilis, 6, 

14-16, 77-82, 84 

Dysideidae, v, 6, 14 

dysoni, Geodia, 70; Spongia, 57-58 

ectofibrosa, Hircinia, 8-9 

Ectyoninae, 45 

elastica, Spongelia, lobata, 15-16; Spongelia, 

lobosa, 15-16; Spongelia, massa, 15-16 

embolophora, Chondrilla, 74-75 

Epipolasis angulospiculata, 4 

erina, Haliclona, vi, 6, 19-20, 78-79, 81, I 

Erylus, 72; alleni, 74; euastrum, 74; ministrongylus, 

vi, 1, 7, 72-74, 75, 79, 81, 85, VIII; 

transiens, 74 

eschrichtii, Callyspongia, 32 

Esperella, 45; parishii, 48, 50; plumosa, 48, 50; 

ridleyi, 48, 50 

Esperellinae, 45 

Esperia, 45; laevis, 46-47; parishii, 48, 50; 

plumosa, 48, 50 

Esperiadae, 45 

etheria, Dysidea, 16 

euastrum, Erylus, 74 

excelsa, Haliclona, 25 

/a/ZflX, Callyspongia, vi, 6, 31-32, 35, 79, 82, IV 

fasciculata, Hircinia, 8-9; Ircinia, 4, 6, 8-10, 

77-79, 81-82, 84; Spongia, 8-9 

INDEX 91 

favosa, Clathria, 42 

fenestrata, Aplysina, 13 

Fibularia, 1, 22-23, 84; anchorata, 21-22; mawfl, 

22-23; ramosa, 22 

fibulata, Gelliodes, 31 

fibulatus, Gellius, 31 

Fibulia, 22-23; bermuda, 23; carnosa, 22-23; 

massa, 23; nolitangere, 23; raphidifera, 23 

Fistularia fistularis, 12 

fistularis, Aplysina, 12; Fistularia, 12; Luffaria, 

12; Spongia, 12; Verongia, vi, 6, 12-13, 31, 

77-80, 83, I 

fistulata, Mycale, 48; Mycale, microsigmatosa, 

47-48 

flagelliformis, Aplysina, 4, 13-14; Aplysina, 

rugosa, 13; Hircinia, 14 

foliacea, Thalyseurypon, 45 

fragilis, Duseideia, 14-16; Dysidea, 6, 14-16, 

77-82, 84; Spongelia, 14-16; Spongia, 14-15 

Gelliodes, 22, 25; areolata, vi, 5-6, 25-26, 77, 

82-83, II; fibulata, 31; ramosa, 22 

Gellius, 31; fibulatus, 31; massa, 23 

Geodia, 19, 68, 70; cariboa, 69-70; carinata, 62, 

64; d;y5om, 70; gibberosa, 4, 7, 29, 68-70, 

78-79, 83-84, III, VlII; glariosus, 72; medsa, 

4, 69-70; papyracea, vi, 1, 7, 71-72, 71, 78, 83, 

85, VIII; reticulata, 69-70; tuberculosa, 69-70; 

tumulosa, 69-70 

Geodiidae, v, 7, 68, 71 

gibberosa, Geodia, 4, 7, 29, 68-70, 78-79, 83-84, 

III, VIII; Pyxto, 69-70 

gigantea, Hircinia, 10-11 

glariosus, Geodia, 72 

grossa, Adocia, 28 

Halichondria, 52-53; areolata, 15; birotulata, 4, 

24; bowerbanki, 53; isodictyalis, 38-39; magniconulosa, 

vi, 1, 7, 53, 55, 78, 83, 85, V; 

melanadocia, vi, 7, 52, 77-78, 80, V; panicea, 

53 

Halichondriidae, v, 7, 52 

Haliclona, 18; areolata, 25; doria, vi, 6, 18, 78, 

81, I; erma, vi, 6, 19-20, 78-79, 81, I; excelsa, 

25; hogarthi, vi, 1, 6, 20-21, 20, 78, 82-84, II; 

implexa, 28; longleyi, 18; rubens, 5-6, 18-19, 

79, 83; vmdw, 20 

Haliclonidae, v, 6, 18 

hemorrhages, Oligoceras, vi, 6, 11, 79, 81, I 

Hircinia, ectofibrosa, 8-9; fasciculata, 8-9; 

flagelliformis, 14; gigantea, 10-11; strobilina, 

10-11; variabilis, 4, 8-9 

hirsuta, Aplysina, 12; Verongia, 13; Verongia, 

fistularoides, 12 

hispida, Ulosa, vi, 1, 7, 51-52, 51, 78, 82, 85 

hogarthi, Haliclona, vi, 1, 6, 20-21, 20, 78, 82-84, 

II 

Hymeniacidon, angulata, 61-62; pulvinatus, 

57-58 

lanthella, 16; ardis, 6, 16-17, 79, 82-83; fcasfa, 

16-17; ianthella, 17

92 

ianthella, Ianthella, 17 

ignis, Tedania, vi, 5, 7, 37-38, 39, 77-79, 83-84, 

V; Tedania, pacifica, 37; Thalysias, 37-38 

implexa, Haliclona, 28 

implexiformis, Adocia, vi, 1, 6, 27-28, 27, 78, 

82, 84, II 

incrustans, Spongelia, 15-16 

ingalli, Donatia, seychellensis, 65; Tethya, 65-67 

intermedia, Darwinella, 18; Placospongia, 62, 

64; Strongylacidon, 51 

Iotrochota, 24; acerata, 24; birotulata, 4-6, 

24-25, 77-79, 82; coccinea, 25 

Ircinia, 8-10, 39; dendroides, 10; fasciculata, 

4, 6, 8-10, 77-79, 81-82, 84; muscarum, 11; 

oro$, 10; ramosa, 9; strobilina, 6, 9, 10-11, 

77-81, 84; strobilina irregularis, 10-11; van"abilis, 

8-10 

isochela, Mycale, 48, 50, 51 

isodictyalis, Halichondria, 38-39; Lissodendoryx, 

7, 38-40, 79-80, 82, 84; Lissodendoryx, jacksoniana, 

38, 40; Lissodendoryx, paucispinosa, 

38, 40; Myxi7/a, 38-39 

jacksoniana, Lissodendoryx, 40 

joyeuxi, Darwinella, 18 

hilauea, Axocielita, 44 

labiata, Cribrella, 61 

lacunosa, Verongia, 4, 6, 13, 84 

laevis, Esperia, 46-47; Mycale, vi, 7, 46-47, 49, 

77-78, 82, VI 

Laxosuberites zeteki, 59-60 

leptoderma, Lissodendoryx, 38; Tedania, 38-39 

/ex/ft, Acanthacarnus, 40 

linda, Axocielita, 44 

linteiformis, Spongia, 10 

Lissodendoryx, 38; carolinensis, 39-40; isodictyalis, 

7, 38-40, 79-80, 82, 84; isodictyalis 

jacksoniana, 38, 40; isodictyalis paucispinosa, 

38, 40; jacksoniana, 40; leptoderma, 38; 

similis, 38-40 

longissima, Aplysina, 13; Verongia, 4, 6, 13-14, 

78, 82-83 

longleyi, Haliclona, 18 

Luffaria, 14; cauliformis, 14; fistularis, 12; sebae, 

13 

lyncurium, Tethya, 65 

magniconulosa, Halichondria, vi, 1, 7, 53, 55, 

78, 83, 85, V 

mflwfl, Fibularia, 22-23; Fibulia, 23; Gellius, 23; 

Neofibularia, 6, 23, 79, 81 

maunakea, Mycale, 48 

maunaloa, Microciona, 42 

maxima, Spinosella, 4, 34-35 

maza, Tethya, 7, 65-66, 67-68 

media, Geodia, 4, 69-70; Synops (?), 69 

megastellata, Diplastrella, vi, 1, 7, 58-59, 55, 79, 

81, 85, VII 

melanadocia, Halichondria, vi, 7, 52, 77-78, 

80, V 

INDEX 

melobesioides, Placospongia, 63-64 

membranacea, Ophlitaspongia, 44 

microchela, Microciona, vi, 1, 5, 7, 41-42, 42, 

77-78, 82, 85 

Microciona, 41-44; aceratoobtusa, 44; maunaloa, 

42; microchela, vi, 1, 5, 7, 41-42, 42, 77-78, 

82, 85; parthena, 42; rarispinosa, vi, 1, 7, 42- 

44, 45, 77-78, 83, 85; «m*7w, 43-44; spinosa, 43 

Microcionidae, v, 7, 41 

microsigmatosa, Mycale, 7, 47-48, 78, 80-82, 84 

millepora, Pachychalina, 26 

ministrongylus, Erylus, vi, 1, 7, 72-74, 75, 79, 

81, 85, VIII 

mixta, Placospongia, 62, 64 

mollis, Spirastrella, 54-55 

miilleri, Darwinella, 18 

muscarum, Ircinia, 11 

Mycale, 45-46; cecilia, 47-48, 84; crassissima, 51; 

fistulata, 48; fistulata microsigmatosa, 47, 48; 

isochela, 48, 50-51; /aery's, vi, 7, 46-47, 49, 77- 

78, 82, VI; maunakea, 48; microsigmatosa, 7, 

47-48, 78, 80-82, 84; parishii, 48, 50; pecrtnicola, 

48, 50-51; phyllophila, 48; senegalensis, 

47-48' 

Mycalidae, v, 1, 5, 7, 45 

Mycalinae, 45 

Myxilla isodictyalis, 38-39 

neens, Adocia, 29 

Neofibularia, 1, 6, 22-23, 84; masja, 6, 23, 79, 81 

nigrescens, Tedania, 37 

nigricans, Papillina, 61 

nolitangere, Fibulia, 23 

nucula, Chondrilla, 7, 74-75, 79, 81, 84 

Oligoceras, 11; collectrix, 11; collectrix hemorrhages, 

11; hemorrhages, vi, 6, 11, 79, 81, I; 

spongeliformis, 11 

Ophlitaspongia membranacea, 44 

Ophlitaspongiidae, 44-45 

orientalis, Cliona, 57 

ornata, Displastrella, 59 

oras, Ircinia, 10 

Osculina polystomella, 61 

Pachychalina, areolata, 25; aurantiaca, 26; carbonaria, 

26-27; millepora, 26; rubens, 18-19 

pallescens, Spongelia, 15-16 

pallida, Callyspongia, vi, 1, 6, 36-37, 55, 83-84, 

III 

Pandaros, 45; acanthifolium, 45 

panicea, Halichondria, 53 

papillaris, Callyspongia, 32; Spongia, 32 

Papillina, arcuata, 56-57; cribrosa, 57; nigricans, 

61 

papyracea, Geodia, vi, 1, 7, 71-72, 72, 78, 83, 85, 

VIII; Siphonochalina, 34-35 

parishii, Esperella, 48, 50; Esperia, 48, 50; Myca/e, 

48, 50; Raphiodesma, 48, 50; Zygomycale, 

vi, 7,48-51,77,81-82, 84, V 

parthena, Microciona, 42 

Patuloscula, plicifera, 34; procumbens, 32

pectinicola, Mycale, 48, 50-51 

Pellina, 27, 29-30; carbonaria, 26-27, 30; coela, 

30; coeliformis, vi, 1, 6, 29-30, 29, 78-79, 83-84, 

III; semitubulosa, 30 

Phloeodictyon carbonaria, 26 

phyllodes, Chondrilla, 54-55; Chondrillina, 54 

phyllophila, Mycale, 48 

Placospongia, 62; carinata, vi, 7, 62-64, 77, 79, 

81, 84, VII; intermedia, 62, 64; melobesioides, 

63-64; m/xta, 62, 64; sp., 62, 64 

Placospongiidae, v, 7, 62 

Plakinidae, v, 8, 76 

Plakortis, 4, 76; simplex, 76; zyggompha, 8, 76, 

79,81 

plicifera, Callyspongia, vi, 4, 6, 32, 34-36, 79, 82, 

IV; Patuloscula, 34; Spinosella, 34-35; Spongia, 

34-35; Tu&a, 34-35 

Plumocolumella, 23 

plumosa, Esperella, 48, 50; Esperia, 48, 50 

polystomella, Osculina, 61 

Poterion atlantica, 57-58 

praetexta, Aplysina, 13 

procumbens, Patuloscula, 32 

Prosuberites, 56 

proxima, Thalysias, 26-27 

pulvinata, Spirastrella, 57 

pulvinatus, Hymeniacidon, 57-58 

purpurea, Spirastrella, 54-55, 57 

purpureum, Alcyonium, 54 

Pyxitis gibberosa, 69-70 

quadripartitum, Corticium, 77 

ramosa, Fibularia, 22; Gelliodes, 22; Ircinia, 9 

raphidifera, Fibulia, 23 

Raphiodesma parishii, 48, 50 

rarispinosa, Microciona, vi, 1, 7, 42-44, 43, 77-78, 

83, 85 

Reniera digitata, 37-38 

reptans, Desmacidon, 21-22 

reticulata, Geodia, 69-70 

rhizophyta, Cinachyra, 4, 6 

rhoda, Ulosa, 51-52 

ridleyi, Esperella, 48, 50 

Rodsa, 76; zyggompha, 76 

rosacea, Darwinella, 1, 6, 17-18, 77-79, 82, 84 

rubens, Chalina, 18-19; Haliclona, 5, 6, 18-19, 

79, 83; Pachychalina, 18-19; Spongia, 18-19 

rubiginosa, Cacochalina, 19 

Sarcotragus, 10 

scrobiculata, Callyspongia, 32; Spinosella, 34-35; 

Spongia, 34-35; Tu&a, 32, 34-35 

sebae, Luff aria, 13 

semitubulosa, Pellina, 30 

senegalensis, Mycale, 47-48 

seychellensis, Alemo, 65-66; Donatia, 65-66; 

7>%a, 7, 65-66, 67, 78-79, 81-82, 84 

Sigmadocia, 30-31; caerulea, vi, 1, 5-6, 26, 30-31, 

30, 78-79, 81, 84, III 

similis, Lissodendoryx, 38-40; Microciona, 43-44 

INDEX 93 

simplex, Plakortis, 76 

Siphonochalina, papyracea, 34-35; stolonifera, 34 

saroria, Spinosella, 33; Tuba, 33 

souriei, Acanthacarnus, 7, 40, 79, 83-84 

spengelii, Aplysina, 4 

Spheciospongia, 57-58; vesparia, 4, 7, 57-58, 78, 

80 

spinosa, Microciona, 43 

Spinosella, maxima, 4, 34-35; plicifera, 34-35; 

scrobiculata, 34-35; sororia, 33 

Spirastrella, 54, 58; andrewsii, 4, 57-58; coccinea, 

7, 54-55, 79, 81, 83-84; coronaria, 56; cunctatrix, 

54-55; cunctatrix porcata, 55; cunctatrix 

robusta, 55; decumbens, 54-55; mollis, 54-55; 

pulvinata, 57; purpurea, 54-55, 57 

Spirastrellidae, v, 7, 54 

Spongelia, elastica lobata, 15-16; elastica lobosa, 

15-16; elastica massa, 15-16; fragilis, 14-16; 

incrustans, 15-16; pallescens, 15-16 

spongeliformis, Cacospongia, 11; Oligoceras, 11 

Spongia, angulosa, 51; carbonaria, 26-27; cty- 

5onz, 57-58; fasciculata, 8-9; fistularis, 12; 

fragilis, 14-15; linteiformis, 10; papillaris, 32; 

plicifera, 34-35; rubens 18-19; scrobiculata, 

34-35; strobilina, 10; tubaeformis, 12; vaginal, 

32-33 

spongia, Ulosa, 51-52 

Spongiidae, v, 6, 8 

stolonifera, Siphonochalina, 34 

strobilina, Hircinia, 10-11; Ircinia, 6, 9, 10-11, 

77-81, 84; Ircinia, irregularis, 10-11; Spongia, 

10 

Strongylacidon intermedia, 51 

Suberites, angulospiculatus, 4, 6; coronarius, 4, 

56; tuberculosus 56-57; undulatus, 62 

Suberitidae, v, 7, 59 

subulata, Cliona, 61-62 

Synops (?) media, 69 

Tedania, 37-38; anhelans, 37-38; orwcei, 37-38; 

digitata, 37-38; digitata bermudensis, 37-38; 

ignw, vi, 5, 7, 37-38, 39, 77-79; 83-84, V; 

ignw pacifica, 37; leptoderma, 38-39; nigrescent, 

37 

Tedaniidae, v, 7, 37 

tenuissima, Verongia, 12 

Terpios, 59; ztteftt, vi, 5, 7, 59-60, 78-79, 81-84, 

VII 

Tethya, 65-66, 81; actinia, 7, 66-67, 79, 84; dip/oderma, 

66-67; ingalli, 65-67; lyncurium, 65; 

maza, 7, 65-66, 67-68, seychellensis, 7, 65-66, 

67, 78-79, 81-82, 84; sp., 7, 67, 68, 79 

Tethyidae, v, 7, 65 

tetralophum, Corticium, vi, 1, 8, 77, 77, 79, 83, 

85 

Thalyseurypon, 44-45; carteri, 45; conulosa, vi, 

1, 7, 44-45, 44, 79, 82, 85, VI; foliacea, 45; 

vasiformis, 45 

Thalysias, carbonaria, 26-27; coccinea, 54-55; 

fgnt5, 37-38; proxima, 26-27; varians, 55-57; 

vesparia, 57-58 

transiens, Erylus, 74

94 

Tuba, plicifera, 34-35; scrobiculata, 32, 34-35; 

sororia, 33; vaginalis, 32-33 

tubaeformis, Spongia, 12 

tuberculosa, Geodia, 69-70 

tuberculosus, Suberites, 56-57 

tubifera, Adocia, 28 

tumultosa, Geodia, 69-70 

£/Z

PLATES

PLATE I 

Fig. 1. Verongia fistularis (Pallas) .......................................... p. 12 

Ojff Maiden Cay, Jamaica. YPM No. 5149. x0.7. 

Figs. 2, 3. Haliclona erina de Laubenfels ................................... p. 19 

Port Royal Lagoon, Jamaica, YPM No. 5166. x0.75. 

Fig. 4. Haliclona doria de Laubenfels ....................................... p. 18 

Port Royal Lagoon, Jamaica. YPM No. 5159.- x0.9. 

Fig. 5. Oligoceras hemorrhages de Laubenfels ................................ p. 11 

Port Royal, Jamaica. YPM No. 5144. X 1.1. 

96

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PLATE II 

Fig. 1. Haliclona hogarthi n. sp. ........................................... p. 20 

Port Royal, Jamaica. Holotype. YPM No. 5033. x0.8. 

Fig. 2. Adocia implexiformis n. sp. .......................................... p. 27 


Fig. 3. Gelliodes areolata (Wilson) .......................................... p. 25 

Port Royal, Jamaica. YPM No. 5186. x0.6. 

Fig. 4. Desmapsamma anchomta (Carter) p. 21 

Port Royal, Jamaica. YPM No. 5174. xO.93. 

§7

PLATE III 

Fig. 1. PelUna coeliformis n. sp. (growing on Geodia gibberosa Lamarck) ........ p 


Figs. 2, 8. Adocia carbonaria (Lamarck) ...................................... p 

Dunn's River, Jamaica. YPM No. 5191. xO.75. 

Fig. 4. Sigmadocia caerulea n. sp. ........................................... p 

Port Royal, Jamaica. Holotype. YPM No. 5037, X LI. 

Fig. 5. Callyspongia pallida n. sp. ........................................... p 

Port Royal, Jamaica. Holotype. YPM No. 5088. _x0.8. 

98

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PLATE IV 

Fig. 1. Callyspongia plicifera (Lamarck) p. 34 

Off Maiden Cay, Jamaica. YPM No. 5215. xO.55. 

Fig. 2. Callyspongia fallax Duchassaing and Michelotti ....................... p. 31 

Off Maiden Cay, Jamaica. YPM No. 5205. xO.55. 

ft

PLATE ¥ 

Fig. 1. HaMchondria mogniconulosa n. sp. ................................... p. 58 


Fig. 2. HaMchondria melanadocia de Laubenfels .............................. p. 52 


Fig. 8. Zygomycale parishii (Bowerbank). .................................... p. 48 


Fig. 4, Tedania ignis (Duchassaing and Michelotti) .......................... p. 87 


100

->-" .*^-^; .'-fcL 

•"i-S; - "- i-Vi-" . • v9r£K* •'•' 

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^JIL

PLATE ¥1 

Fig. 1. Thalyseurypon conulosa n. sp. ....................................... p. 44 

Off Maiden Cay, Jamaica. Holotype. YPM No. 5042. X1. 

Fig. 2. Mycale laevis (Carter) ............................................... p. 46 

Port Royal, Jamaica. YPM No. 5240. xl.l. 

101

PLATE VII 

Fig. 1. Placospongia carinata (Bowerbank) .................................. p 

Port Royal, Jamaica. YPM No. 5279. x L 

Fig. -.2. Diplastrella megastellata n. sp. ................... v...-.....'.'...'..'.'.....'..• p 

Off Maiden Cay, Jamaica. Holotype. YPM No. 5044. x 0.9.. 

Fig. S. Terpios zeteki (de Laubenfels) ........................................ p 

Port Royal, Jamaica. YPM. No. 5270. X1.' 

Figs. 4, 5. Anthosigmella varians (Duchassaing and Michelotti). ................. p 


102

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PLATE VIII 

Fig. 1. Geodia papyracea n. sp. p. 71 

Port Royal, Jamaica. Paratype. YPM No. 5311. x 1.1. 

Fig. 2. Geodia papyracea n. sp. (specimen on lower right, growing on Geodia 

gibberosa Lamarck) ..................................................... p. 71 

Port Royal, Jamaica. Paratype. YPM No. 5311. x 1.1. 

Fig. 3. Erylus ministrongylus n. sp. ......................................... p. 72 

Drunkenman's Cay, Jamaica. Holotype. YPM No. 5046. x 1.6. 

103

Bulletin 20 - Peabody Museum of Natural History - Yale University

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