Abstract
Strongylodesma aliwaliensis, a new species of Strongylodesma L vi, 1969 (Porifera; Demospongiae; Poecilosclerida; Latrunculiidae) is described from the subtropical waters along the east coast of South Africa. This species differs from both the type species, Strongylodesma areolata L vi (1969) and the two known South African species, S. tsitsikammaensis Samaai and Kelly (2003) and S. algoaensis Samaai and Kelly (2003), in the structures of the choanosome, length and morphology of the strongyles and colouration. The choanosome of S. aliwaliensis sp. nov. is divided into thick convoluted tracts, which may or may not form discrete chambers, the latter character first observed in Tsitsikamma favus Samaai and Kelly (2002). This structure however, is not unique for Tsitsikamma (Family Latrunculiidae), as evidence also shows that species of Zyzzya (Acarnidae) have a choanosomal structure reminiscent of that of Tsitsikamma (Samaai and Kelly, 2002). The choanosomal architecture of S. aliwaliensis sp. nov however, differs considerably from Tsitsikamma favus Samaai and Kelly (2002) in that the choanosome lacks the discrete honey comb-like chambers as found in T. favus Samaai and Kelly (2002). Thus, the convoluted tract morphological character as observe in Strongylodesma aliwaliensis sp. nov, Tsitsikamma and Zyzzya holds no phylogenetic weight; it is cross taxon like the axial compression of Axinellidae, Raspailiidae, and the desmas of Lithistids and therefore cannot be used as a character for inclusion of this new species within either Tsitsikamma or Zyzzya. The inclusion of the new taxon within Strongylodesma is strongly supported based on the presence of strongyles, the fungiform areolate porefields and structure of the ectosomal layer. Preliminary chemical analysis of the sponge has confirmed the presence of several pyrroloiminoquinone products, including makaluvamine I.References
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