(Cristobó & Urgorri, 2001)
Species Overview
Tedania (Trachytedania) ferrolensis (Cristobó & Urgorri, 2001) is a yellow incrusting sheet-like sponge described from the Atlantic coast of Spain. The choanosomal skeleton consists of acanthostyles of two size classes arranged with their heads fixed to a basal plate of spongin, forming point-directed outward columns. Thin ectosomal tylotes in palissade or bouquets at the surface. Onychaetes in two size classes.
Taxonomic Description
Colour: bright yellow.
Shape, size, surface and consistency: Encrusting, forming a sheet-like coating of rocky substrates and barnacles. Patches < 30 cm in diameter and 3 mm thick. Surface smooth but irregular. Single circuar oscules of > 1 mm diameter at the center of small superficial canals. Consistency cartilaginous, but easy to tear.
Spicules: Megascleres: Acanthostyles of two size classes, primary acanthostyles with scattered spines in the upper half, 167-271 x 4.5-10.4 µm; secondary acanthostyles entirely spined, 67-90 µm; tylotes, straight, thin, with strongylote to subtylote and unequal ends, 148-220 x 1.6-4 µm. Microscleres: Onychaetes in two size classes, small: 39-117 µm, large 148-205 µm, thicknes 0.3-2 µm.
Skeleton: Hymedesmoid: the acanthostyles are arranged with their heads embedded in a basal plate of spongin in groups of 4-5 spicules. The ectosomal spicules are arranged in a palisade or bouquets.
Distribution: Only known from the Ria de Ferrol, Galicia, NW Spain (43.4736°N 8.25°W).
Ecology: Sandy and muddy bottom with gravel, 10-22 m.
Etymology: the name refers to the type locality.
Type specimen information: MNCN 1.01/184.
Remarks
By the category of echinating acanthostyles, this species is unique in the genus Tedania and probably should be assigned to a separate genus. Until a second species will be found, it is prudent to keep it in the genus Tedania, subgenus Trachytedania.
Source: Cristobó & Urgorri, 2001. |
