Testacosides A-D, glycoglycerolipids produced by Microbacterium testaceum isolated from Tedania brasiliensis

Marine bacteria living in association with marine sponges have proven to be a reliable source of biologically active secondary metabolites. However, no studies have yet reported natural products from Microbacterium testaceum spp. We herein report the isolation of a M. testaceum strain from the sponge Tedania brasiliensis. Molecular networking analysis of bioactive pre-fractionated extracts from culture media of M. testaceum enabled the discovery of testacosides A-D. Analysis of spectroscopic data and chemical derivatizations allowed the identification of testacosides A-D as glycoglycerolipids bearing a 1-[α-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-(α-mannopyranosyl)]-glycerol moiety connected to 12-methyltetradecanoic acid for testacoside A (1), 14-methylpentadecanoic acid for testacoside B (2), and 14-methylhexadecanoic acid for testacosides C (3) and D (4). The absolute configuration of the monosaccharide residues was determined by 1H-NMR analysis of the respective diastereomeric thiazolidine derivatives. This is the first report of natural products isolated from cultures of M. testaceum. KEY POINTS: • The first report of metabolites produced by Microbacterium testaceum. • 1-[α-Glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-(α-mannopyranosyl)]-glycerol lipids isolated and identified. • Microbacterium testaceum strain isolated from the sponge Tedania brasiliensis.

Lissodendoryx Topsent, 1892 (Poecilosclerida: Coelosphaeridae) from Brazil: a new species and transfer of Strongylacidon oxychaetum Menegola, Santos, Moraes & Muricy, 2012 to the genus Lissodendoryx

The genus Lissodendoryx Topsent, 1892 has 118 valid species for the world, with five species records for Brazil. Here, we provide a description of Lissodendoryx (Waldoschmittia) almeidai sp. nov., distinguished from the other species of the subgenus by its spicular dimensions and spicular set, composed of oxeas as choanosomal megascleres, tylotes and arcuate isochelae. Also, we transfer Strongylacidon oxychaetum to Lissodendoryx (Anomodoryx), and record, for the first time, Lissodendoryx (Lissodendoryx) carolinensis from Brazil in addition to Lissodendoryx (Anomodoryx) vulcanus from Pernambuco State.

Microbiome diversity from sponges biogeographically distributed between South America and Antarctica

Sponges from South America and Antarctica are evolutionarily closely related. Specific symbiont signatures that could differentiate these two geographic regions are unknown. This study aimed to investigate the microbiome diversity of sponges from South America and Antarctica. In total 71 sponge specimens were analyzed (Antarctica: N = 59, 13 different species; South America: N = 12, 6 different species). Illumina 16S rRNA sequences were generated (2.88 million sequences; 40K ± 29K/sample). The most abundant symbionts were heterotrophic (94.8 %) and belonged mainly to Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota. EC94 was the most abundant symbiont and dominated the microbiome of some species (70-87 %), comprising at least 10 phylogroups. Each of the EC94 phylogroups was specific to one genus or species of sponge. Furthermore, South America sponges had higher abundance of photosynthetic microorganisms (2.3 %) and sponges from Antarctica, the highest abundance of chemosynthetic (5.5 %). Sponge symbionts may contribute to the function of their hosts. The unique features from each of these two regions (e.g., light, temperature, and nutrients) possibly stimulate distinct microbiome diversity from sponges biogeographically distributed across continents.

Checklist, diversity descriptors and selected descriptions of a highly diverse intertidal sponge (Porifera) assemblage at Costa do Descobrimento (Bahia, Brazil)

Costa do Descobrimento is located in southern Bahia, Brazil, and only 22 species of sponges (Porifera) were known from the area until now, despite its important reef formations. In the present study, we report a checklist of the sponges of Costa do Descobrimento and their distribution in the studied reefs, with several species illustrated in life. We also describe nine new sponge records for this region, some of which are new records for Brazil, or new records of species previously only poorly known. We present alpha and beta diversity indices and compare the sponge assemblage of the sampled locations. Four reefs were considered: two fringing reefs (Arraial D'Ajuda-AA and Coroa Vermelha / Mutá-CVM) and two offshore Municipal Marine Park "Parque Municipal Marinho- (P.M.M. Coroa Alta-CA and P.M.M. Recife de Fora-RF). A total of 229 specimens were collected (224 Demospongiae, 2 Homoscleromorpha and 3 Calcarea). These were classified in 101 morphotypes. Studied materials included representatives of 15 orders, 34 families and 48 genera. The richest orders are Haplosclerida (29 spp.), Poecilosclerida (15 spp.) and Tetractinellida (11 spp.). The richest families were Chalinidae (24 spp.), Clionaidae (7 spp.) and Mycalidae and Suberitidae (6 spp. each). The richest genus is, by far, Haliclona (20 spp.). Only 13 species were shared among all four reefs surveyed, namely Amphimedon viridis, Cinachyrella alloclada, C. apion, Cladocroce caelum, Cliona varians, Dysidea robusta, Mycale (Naviculina) diversisigmata, Niphates erecta, Spirastrella hartmani, Tedania (Tedania) ignis, Terpios fugax, Tethya bitylastra and T. maza. The reefs with the highest richness were CA and CVM, and the lowest richness was observed in RF. The most similar reefs in terms of species composition were CA and CVM, while AA and RF were more dissimilar to the previous reefs, but also from each other. While the difference among CA, CVM and AA was mainly explained by species turnover, RF differed from the previous based on its lower richness (nestedness component). Even though CA and CVM were the richest reefs, AA presented the highest number of exclusive species, highlighting the uniqueness of this reef, and urging the inclusion of local beachrock fringing reefs in a more holistic conservation strategy at Costa do Descobrimento.

Shallow Suberitida (Porifera, Demospongiae) from Peru

This study describes 81 specimens belonging to Suberitida, collected during the projects Esponjas del Perú (ESPER), Esponjas da América do Sul (EsponjAS) and Semilla UCSUR 2019 (Demospongiae) along the coast of Peru, down to 30 m depth. Using morphological analyses, eight species were identified, one of which is new to science: Halichondria (H.) cristata, H. (H.) prostrata, Hymeniacidon perlevis, Johannesia reticulosa, Plicatellopsis expansa, Suberites aff. latus, Terpios cf. granulosus and Suberites inti sp. nov. Halichondria (H.) cristata, originally from Tierra del Fuego (SW Atlantic), was found widely distributed along the coast of Peru (06° S-14° S). The Magellanican H. (H.) prostrata and the formerly Chilean endemic P. expansa are extended up to Central Peru (12° S). Hymeniacidon perlevis, which presents a highly variable morphology (colour, shape, and spicule size), is firstly reported from the SE Pacific and its continuous occurrence in Peru (04° S-17° S) should be monitored given its supposed invasive potential. Johannesia reticulosa, previously known from Chile (20° S) and southern Peru (13° S), was found further north (11° S). Suberites latus and T. granulosus were originally recorded far-off from the Peruvian coast, in British Columbia and Hawaii, respectively. Thus, the occurrences of Suberites aff. latus and Terpios cf. granulosus are unexpected and should receive special attention in future molecular studies assessing their taxonomical status. Suberites inti sp. nov. characterised by its skeleton with ectosomal bouquets and multispicular choanosomal tracts, and two categories of straight tylostyles, is provisionally endemic to Paracas (13° S). With these results, the number of shallow Suberitida from Peru increases from 2 to 9. However, this number might rise as sampling in deeper environments could bring descriptions of new records.

Lost characters and lost taxonomists: Coelocarteriidae fam. nov., Poecilosclerida with and without chelae, to accommodate supposed phloeodictyids (Haplosclerida)

The taxonomic study of Great Amazon Reef System sponges yielded three Oceanapia-like (Phloeodictyidae, Haplosclerida) species of similar gross morphology, two preliminarily identified as O. bartschi and another as Coelocarteria (Poecilosclerida), due to the presence of common palmate isochelae. The remarkable overall similarity of all three species in gross morphology necessitated an integrative assessment of the phylogenetic affinities. A selection of haplosclerid and poecilosclerid sequences (18S and 28S rRNA) was gathered from Genbank and compared to sequences mapped to reference from metagenome of two Oceanapia-like species from the Amazon River mouth, one of which matched O. bartschi. Both Brazilian species clustered with Coelocarteria singaporensis (Singapore). These species nest in the Poecilosclerida, far from Oceanapia (sp. and isodictyiformis) and other haplosclerids (Amphimedon, Petrosia, Siphonodictyon and Xestospongia) but also far from the poecilosclerid Isodictya that is currently classified in the same family as Coelocarteria, the Isodictyidae. Specimens with chelae are named Coelocarteria alcoladoi sp. nov. herein, while those without chelae represent the other two species. One matched Inflatella bartschi (O. bartchi’s holotype, here re-examined), thereby supporting the transfer of this species to Coelocarteria. The other is proposed as C. amadoi sp. nov. and is the second known lipochelous species in this genus. The 28S phylogenies recovered Coelocarteria bartschi comb. nov. (formerly Oceanapia bartschi) in the Poecilosclerida clade that clustered with Coelocarteria spp., including the type species of this genus, C. singaporensis, with 100% support. Coelocarteria alcoladoi sp. nov., also without chelae, grouped in the same clade, thereby corroborating the classification in this genus. The clade composed of Coelocarteria spp. grouped with Cornulella sp., suggesting an affinity between these genera. Coelocarteria is currently situated within Isodictyidae and Cornulella in Acarnidae. Isodictya (Isodictyidae) grouped with Amphilectus (Esperiopsidae) with high support and is only distantly related to Coelocarteria. Acarnus (Acarnidae) grouped with Clathria, also with high support, far from Coelocarteria and Cornulella. These results suggest the polyphyletic nature of Isodictyidae and Acarnidae, for which reason we preferred to propose a new, currently monotypic family for Coelocarteria spp., Coelocarteriidae fam. nov. ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:71FDB6FD-4A5F-4180-8DA7-79EA4CB615D1

Fluxes of the Amazon River plume nutrients and microbes into marine sponges

Sponges have co-evolved with microbes for over 400 myr. Previous studies have demonstrated that sponges can be classified according to the abundance of microbes in their tissues as Low Microbial Abundance (LMA) and High Microbial Abundance (HMA). While LMA sponges rely mainly on water column microbes, HMA appear to rely much more on symbiotic fermentative and autotrophic microbes maintained in their tissues. However, it is unclear if this pattern holds when comparing different species of tropical sponges under extreme nutrient conditions and sediment loads in the water column, such as the Great Amazon Reef System (GARS), which covers an area of ~56,000 km² off the Amazon River mouth. Sponges are the major GARS benthic components. However, these sponges' microbiome across the GARS is still unknown. Here, we investigated water quality, isotopic values (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N), metagenomic and lipidomic profiles of sponges obtained from different sectors throughout the GARS. >180 million shotgun metagenomic reads were annotated, covering 22 sponge species. Isotopic and lipidomic analyses suggested LMA sponges rely on the Amazon River Plume for nutrition. HMA sponges (N = 15) had higher Roseiflexus and Nitrospira abundance, whereas LMA sponges (N = 7) had higher Prochlorococcus and Pelagibacter abundance. Functional data revealed that the LMA sponge microbiomes had greater number of sequences related to phages and prophages as well as electron transport and photophosphorylation which may be related to photosynthetic processes associated with the Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus found in the LMA. The higher phages abundance in LMA sponges could be related to these holobionts' reduced defense towards phage infection. Meanwhile, HMA sponge microbiomes had higher Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats-CRISPR abundance, which may be involved in defense against phage infection. This study sheds light on the nutrient fluxes and microbes from the Amazon River plume into the sponge holobionts.

Sponges present a core prokaryotic community stable across Tropical Western Atlantic

Sponges are among the earliest lineages of metazoans, with first fossil records dated back to 890 million years ago. All sponge species present associations with microorganisms to some extension, which influence sponges' survival and adaptation. Sponge species can be divided into two categories, Low Microbial Abundance and High Microbial Abundance, depending on the abundance of the microbial community that they host. Monanchora arbuscula (a Low Microbial Abundance sponge species) and Xestospongia muta (a High Microbial Abundance sponge species) are sponges with widespread distribution in the Tropical Western Atlantic. Despite previous studies on the major features of these species, little is known whether M. arcuscula and X. muta prokaryotic communities are stable across vast geographic regions. We obtained a total of ~9.26 million 16S rRNA gene Illumina sequences for M. arbuscula samples collected at seven locations and for X. muta samples collected at three locations, corresponding to five ecoregions of the Caribbean and the Southwestern Atlantic (N = 105, 39 from M. arcuscula and 66 from X. muta). These samples reflected different ecological strategies for prokaryotic communities assembly, since the core prokaryotic communities of M. arbuscula are more heterotrophic and shared with different sources (corals, sponges, seawater, sediments), while X. muta has more significant photosynthetic prokaryotic communities, mainly outsourced from other sponges. Results of M. arbuscula and X. muta prokaryotic communities analysis demonstrate that both sponge species have core prokaryotic communities stable across a vast geographic area (> 8000 km), and the world's most notable coastal marine biogeographic filter, the Amazon River Mouth, in spite of the significant differences found among transient prokaryotic communities of both sponge species.

Feature-Based Molecular Networking Discovery of Bromopyrrole Alkaloids from the Marine Sponge Agelas dispar

Investigation of the marine sponge Agelas dispar MeOH fractions using feature-based molecular networking, dereplication, and isolation led to the discovery of new bromopyrrole-derived metabolites. An in-house library of bromopyrrole alkaloids previously isolated from A. dispar and Dictyonella sp. was utilized, along with the investigation of an MS/MS fragmentation of these compounds. Our strategy led to the isolation and identification of the disparamides A-C (1-3), with a novel carbon skeleton. Additionally, new dispyrins B-F (4-8) and nagelamides H2 and H3 (9 and 10) and known nagelamide H (11), citrinamine B (12), ageliferin (13), bromoageliferin (14), and dibromoageliferin (15) were also isolated and identified by analysis of spectroscopic data. Analysis of MS/MS fragmentation data and molecular networking analysis indicated the presence of hymenidin (16), oroidin (17), dispacamide (18), monobromodispacamide (19), keramadine (20), longamide B (21), methyl ester of longamide B (22), hanishin (23), methyl ester of 3-debromolongamide B (24), and 3-debromohanishin (25). Antibacterial activity of ageliferin (13), bromoageliferin (14), and dibromoageliferin (15) was evaluated against susceptible and multi-drug-resistant ESKAPE pathogenic bacteria Klabsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Enterococcus faecalis. Dibromoageliferin (15) displayed the most potent antimicrobial activity against all tested susceptible and MDR strains. Compounds 13-15 presented no significant hemolytic activity up to 100 μM.

Diving into the unknown: fourteen new species of haplosclerid sponges (Demospongiae: Haplosclerida) revealed along the Peruvian coast (Southeastern Pacific)

The Peruvian coast is certainly one of the poorest studied areas in the world for marine sponges biodiversity, with only 20 species registered so far from over 2,400 km coastline. In spite of its great species richness worldwide, there is not a single record of Haplosclerida in Peru. Accordingly, in this study we aimed to describe the species belonging to this order present in the relatively recent collections undertaken along the Peruvian coast by two of us (PhW, EH). Here, we describe fourteen new species, provisionally endemic to the Peruvian coast. This finding represents a major addition to the knowledge of the biodiversity of sponges along the Peruvian coast, increasing the list of species known to occur in this area by about 68%. This is also the largest single proposal of new Haplosclerida in over 37 years of sponge taxonomy worldwide. Niphates is for the first time recorded in the Southeastern Pacific, and an identification key to the Haplosclerida from the Peruvian coast is provided. Regarding the distribution of the described species, most of themexcept for Chalinula chelysa sp. nov.have a narrow geographic range, which might indicate their rarity or that the haplosclerid fauna in Peru is still poorly known.

New species of Crella (Pytheas) Topsent, 1890 and Crellomima Rezvoi, 1925 (Crellidae, Poecilosclerida, Demospongiae) from Chilean shallow and Argentinean deep waters, with a synthesis on the known phylogenetic relationships of crellid sponges

Here, we describe four new species of Crellidae Dendy, 1922 and discuss characters and relationships from published molecular phylogenies including crellid sponges. New species proposed are Crella (Pytheas) chiloensis Fernandez, Gastaldi, Pardo Hajdu, sp. nov., from southern Chile (15 m depth), C. (P.) desventuradae Fernandez, Gastaldi, Zapata-Herndez Hajdu, sp. nov., from Desventuradas Archipelago (1020 m depth), Crella (P.) santacruzae Fernandez, Gastaldi, Thompson Hajdu, sp. nov., from deep waters off Argentina (750 m depth) and Crellomima sigmatifera Fernandez, Gastaldi Hajdu, sp. nov., from the Chilean fjords region (ca. 20 m depth). These new species are set apart from each other and from known species mainly due to aspects of their spiculation. Chelae microscleres and acanthostyles supply characters that might be used to infer phylogenetic relationships and to verify the monophyly of Crella Gray, 1867 and Crellidae, which has seemingly been contradicted by preliminary molecular data available in the systematics literature. Our own interpretation of phylogenetic affinities, in the light of morphological characters from previous taxonomic studies, argues for a classification reassessment of materials (vouchers) included in these molecular phylogenies, especially in the case of Crella incrustans (Carter, 1885). We argue that currently available molecular phylogenetic outcomes for crellid sponges are not supportive of the polyphyly of Crella and Crellidae.

Taxonomy of Petrosiidae Van Soest, 1980 (Haplosclerida, Porifera) from Brazil

Petrosiidae (Haplosclerida, Demospongiae) is characterized by the hard and friable consistency, and an isotropic reticulated skeleton of oxeas/ strongyles. The Brazilian coast and oceanic islands harbor three out of four known genera of Petrosiidae: Neopetrosia de Laubenfels, 1949; Petrosia (Petrosia) Vosmaer, 1885 and Xestospongia de Laubenfels, 1932. A taxonomic survey of samples from several expeditions housed at the Porifera Collection of Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, with additional comparative materials obtained from the Museu de Cincias Naturais, Fundao Zoobotnica do Rio Grande do Sul, and Universidade Federal de Pernambuco enabled the description of two new species: P. (P.) revizee sp. nov. and X. dorigo sp. nov. We also recorded a range extention for Neopetrosia proxima and Xestospongia muta, and Xestospongia grayi was synonymized with X. muta. Other species reported from the country are diagnosed, and an identification key for Petrosiidae from Brazil is provided.

Zootaxa 20 years: Phylum Porifera

The peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa has accelerated the rate of sponge (Porifera) species discoveries in 289 peer-reviewed papers published between 2002 up until the end of 2020, describing 725 new species, six new subspecies, 27 new genera, four new subgenera, and 123 new species and genus names needed to resolve existing homonyms. Zootaxa has been the most prolific of all taxonomic journals in its contributions to describing new taxa of Porifera in modern times. This present article analyses these taxonomic contributions over the past 20 years of Zootaxa, including their trends and highlights pertaining to sponge publications.

Anxiolytic-like effect of brominated compounds from the marine sponge Aplysina fulva on adult zebrafish (Danio rerio): Involvement of the GABAergic system

Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat disorders of the central nervous system, including anxiety. However, due to their adverse effects, there is a continuing interest in discovering new safe and effective drugs. Marine natural products have emerged as a prolific source of bioactive nitrogenated compounds. Aiming to discover new biologically active natural compounds, the marine sponge Aplysina fulva, a nitrogen-bearing heterocyst producer, was investigated. The main isolated compounds (4, 6, and 9) were evaluated on adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). A group of fishes (n = 6) was preliminarily subjected to acute toxicity, and open field tests using 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/mL (v. o.) of those compounds was performed. The anxiolytic effect was further investigated in the light/dark assay based on the locomotor response at zebrafish. Interactions through the GABAergic system were investigated using flumazenil, a silent modulator of GABA receptors. To improve the results, a study of molecular docking using the GABAA receptor also was performed. Based on the results, the bromotyrosine derivative compounds 4, 6, and 9 exhibited anxiolytic-like effects mediated by the GABAergic system.

New records of Demospongiae (Porifera) from Reserva Marina El Pelado (Santa Elena, Ecuador), with description of Tedania (Tedania) ecuadoriensis sp. nov

The first taxonomic descriptions of the sponge diversity at El Pelado Marine Protected Area in the province of Santa Elena, Ecuador is reported. Tedania (Tedania) ecuadoriensis Jaramillo & Hajdu, sp. nov. is described from its shallow waters. In addition, Callyspongia (Callyspongia) aff. californica (sensuCruz-Barraza and Carballo 2008; non sensuDickinson 1945) and Cliona aff. euryphylle are reported for the first time. The former species is likely distributed over 4,000 km along the Tropical Eastern Pacific, whereas the latter might be an example of a trans-isthmian lineage. An amended diagnosis for Callyspongia (Callyspongia) and an updated identification key for the subgenera of Callyspongia are provided.

A collection of hexactinellids (Porifera) from the deep South Atlantic and North Pacific: new genus, new species and new records

This article describes or redescribes four hexactinellid sponges, namely Poliopogon amadou, Euplectella sanctipauli sp. nov., Bolosoma perezi sp. nov. and Advhena magnifica gen. et sp. nov. P. amadou, E. sanctipauli sp. nov. and B. perezi sp. nov. represent new findings for the South Atlantic deep-sea fauna, including the first record of Bolosoma for this ocean. Advhena magnifica gen. et sp. nov., on the other hand, was collected by NOAA oceanographic expeditions in the North Pacific (Pigafetta Guyot).

Three new Raspailiidae Hentschel, 1923 (Axinellida, Demospongiae) from Peru

Currently 26 sponge species are known for the Peruvian coast, but so far no raspailiids had been recorded from this region. Raspailiidae are distributed worldwide and its species are characterized by encrusting, massive, lobate, fan-shaped or branching growth forms, usually with a very hispid surface. In the present study, three new species of Raspailiidae are described from the Peruvian coast. Two new Eurypon spp. were collected at Islas Lobos de Afuera (Lambayeque). Eurypon lacertus sp. nov. is a thinly encrusting orange sponge with choanosomal skeleton composed of large tylostyles and small acanthostyles, and ectosomal skeleton with anisoxeas. Eurypon hookeri sp. nov. is a crustose, ruby red sponge, with choanosomal skeleton composed of large (subtylo)styles and acanthostyles, and ectosomal skeleton pierced by acanthostyles and (subtylo)styles, often surrounded by bouquets of smaller styles. The third new species, Plocamione matarani sp. nov., was collected at Matarani (Arequipa). It is a thinly encrusting orange sponge, the only Plocamione with two categories of choanosomal styles, and a single category of ectosomal styles, acanthostyles and anisoacanthostrongyles. These are the first records of Eurypon and Plocamione for the Peruvian coast, and the entire Southeastern Pacific, in the case of the latter.

Sponges from Doumer Island, Antarctic Peninsula, with description of new species of Clathria (Axosuberites) Topsent, 1893 and Hymeniacidon Bowerbank, 1858, and a re-description of H. torquata Topsent, 1916

Antarctic sponges were mainly studied from trawling or dredging (shallow and deep water) during pioneering oceanographic expeditions carried out since the late 19th century. More recently, sponge collections by SCUBA diving have allowed the detection of species in more cryptic habitats such as rocky walls. In this study, we analyzed Antarctic sponges collected by SCUBA (in 2016 to 2018; shallower than 25 m) around Doumer Island (Palmer Archipelago, Western Antarctic Peninsula-WAP), where only five sponge species have been known. We gathered over 215 specimens, most part identified; 18 known species and one new species. Clathria (Axosuberites) retamalesi sp. nov., is set apart from its congeners on account of the combination of its habit, categories and dimensions of spicules. The East Antarctic material named as Hymeniacidon spec. (3397 m depth) from the Gauss scientific collection has been related to the shallow species H. torquata Topsent, 1916. We described H. torquata based in several specimens (n= 51) from Doumer Island (WAP), only ca. 41 km from Petermann Island (the type locality). Spicules of H. torquata are smaller than the ones present in the Hymeniacidon spec. material, which is here named Hymeniacidon hentscheli sp. nov., since it does not fit into any known cold water species of Hymeniacidon from Antarctica or the Southern Hemisphere, due to a combination of habit, oscula shape, and spicule dimensions. Only five sponge species were previously known from Doumer Island, also collected by SCUBA. Our findings suggest that the ongoing study of collections of sponges assembled at Doumer Island will still yield new taxonomic findings.

Exotic species dominate marinas between the two most populated regions in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean

Human occupation of coastal areas promotes the establishment of non-native species but information on bioinvasions is usually biased toward the Northern Hemisphere. We assessed non-native species' importance in sessile communities at six marinas along the most urbanized area of the Southwestern Atlantic coastline. We found 67 species, of which 19 are exotic. The most frequent species was the exotic polychaete Branchiomma luctuosum, while the most abundant was the exotic bryozoan Schizoporella errata that monopolized the substrata in three marinas. Along with S. errata, the exotic polychaete Hydroides elegans and ascidian Styela plicata dominated space in the three remaining marinas, while native species were in general rare. We show that communities associated with artificial substrata along this Brazilian urbanized area are dominated by exotic species and that using abundance data along with species identity can improve our understanding of the importance of exotic species for the dynamics of biological communities.

Microbial and Functional Biodiversity Patterns in Sponges that Accumulate Bromopyrrole Alkaloids Suggest Horizontal Gene Transfer of Halogenase Genes

Marine sponge holobionts harbor complex microbial communities whose members may be the true producers of secondary metabolites accumulated by sponges. Bromopyrrole alkaloids constitute a typical class of secondary metabolites isolated from sponges that very often display biological activities. Bromine incorporation into secondary metabolites can be catalyzed by either halogenases or haloperoxidases. The diversity of the metagenomes of sponge holobiont species containing bromopyrrole alkaloids (Agelas spp. and Tedania brasiliensis) as well as holobionts devoid of bromopyrrole alkaloids spanning in a vast biogeographic region (approx. Seven thousand km) was studied. The origin and specificity of the detected halogenases was also investigated. The holobionts Agelas spp. and T. brasiliensis did not share microbial halogenases, suggesting a species-specific pattern. Bacteria of diverse phylogenetic origins encoding halogenase genes were found to be more abundant in bromopyrrole-containing sponges. The sponge holobionts (e.g., Agelas spp.) with the greatest number of sequences related to clustered, interspaced, short, palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) exhibited the fewest phage halogenases, suggesting a possible mechanism of protection from phage infection by the sponge host. This study highlights the potential of phages to transport halogenases horizontally across host sponges, particularly in more permissive holobiont hosts, such as Tedania spp.

Two new Hamacantha (Vomerula) from the Rio Grande Rise (SW Atlantic (Hamacanthidae, Porifera)

Hamacantha occurs worldwide and frequently in deep-waters. It is easily distinguished from any other sponge by the possession of conspicuous diancistra microscleres. Here we describe two new species from the Rio Grande Rise. Hamacantha (Vomerula) jeanvaceleti sp. nov. is the sole Hamacantha with styles, diancistras in two categories with the smaller ones cyrtancistra-like; and H. (V.) klausruetzleri sp. nov., the sole with two types of megascleres (styles and strongyles), two categories of diancistras, and two categories of sigmas.

Integrative taxonomy of Hemimycale (Hymedesmiidae: Poecilosclerida: Demospongiae) from Southeastern Brazil, with the description of two new species

Two new species of Hemimycale from Southeastern Brazil are described in this study with the use of morphological and molecular data. Hemimycale oxeata sp. nov. is orange salmon colored in life and has unique oxeote like tornote spicules in addition to the typical (subtylo-)strongyles of the genus. Hemimycale ceadensis sp. nov. is reddish orange in life and has raised, tiny pore sieves, and subtylostrongyles with asymmetrical ends and raphides as microscleres. The diagnosis of the genus Hemimycale was slightly modified for the inclusion of the new species. Maximum-Likelihood analyses of 18S rRNA and COI sequences resulted in the clustering of both new species with the type species of the genus, thus confirming our morphological identification. The value of anatomical characters of pore sieves for diagnosing species and the genus is discussed. A key for species identification is also furnished.

High similarity in the microbiota of cold-water sponges of the Genus Mycale from two different geographical areas

Sponges belonging to genus Mycale are common and widely distributed across the oceans and represent a significant component of benthic communities in term of their biomass, which in many species is largely composed by bacteria. However, the microbial communities associated with Mycale species inhabiting different geographical areas have not been previously compared. Here, we provide the first detailed description of the microbiota of two Mycale species inhabiting the sub-Antarctic Magellan region (53°S) and the Western Antarctic Peninsula (62-64°S), two geographically distant areas (>1,300 km) with contrasting environmental conditions. The sponges Mycale (Aegogropila) magellanica and Mycale (Oxymycale) acerata are both abundant members of benthic communities in the Magellan region and in Antarctica, respectively. High throughput sequencing revealed a remarkable similarity in the microbiota of both sponge species, dominated by Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes, with both species sharing more than 74% of the OTUs. In contrast, 16% and 10% of the OTUs were found only in either M. magellanica or M. acerata, respectively. Interestingly, despite slight differences in the relative abundance, the most dominant OTUs were present in both species, whereas the unique OTUs had very low abundances (less than 1% of the total abundance). These results show a significant overlap among the microbiota of both Mycale species and also suggest the existence of a low level of specificity of the most dominant symbiont groups.

Isolation, Derivative Synthesis, and Structure-Activity Relationships of Antiparasitic Bromopyrrole Alkaloids from the Marine Sponge Tedania brasiliensis

The isolation and identification of a series of new pseudoceratidine (1) derivatives from the sponge Tedania brasiliensis enabled the evaluation of their antiparasitic activity against Plasmodium falciparum, Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis, Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum, and Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agents of malaria, cutaneous leishmaniasis, visceral leishmaniasis, and Chagas disease, respectively. The new 3-debromopseudoceratidine (4), 20-debromopseudoceratidine (5), 4-bromopseudoceratidine (6), 19-bromopseudoceratidine (7), and 4,19-dibromopseudoceratidine (8) are reported. New tedamides A-D (9-12), with an unprecedented 4-bromo-4-methoxy-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxamide moiety, are also described. Compounds 4 and 5, 6 and 7, 9 and 10, and 11 and 12 have been isolated as pairs of inseparable structural isomers differing in their sites of bromination or oxidation. Tedamides 9+10 and 11+12 were obtained as optically active pairs, indicating an enzymatic formation rather than an artifactual origin. N12-Acetylpseudoceratidine (2) and N12-formylpseudoceratidine (3) were obtained by derivatization of pseudoceratidine (1). The antiparasitic activity of pseudoceratidine (1) led us to synthesize 23 derivatives (16, 17, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27-29, 31, 33, 35, 38, 39, 42, 43, 46, 47, 50, and 51) with variations in the polyamine chain and aromatic moiety in sufficient amounts for biological evaluation in antiparasitic assays. The measured antimalarial activity of pseudoceratidine (1) and derivatives 4, 5, 16, 23, 25, 31, and 50 provided an initial SAR evaluation of these compounds as potential leads for antiparasitics against Leishmania amastigotes and against P. falciparum. The results obtained indicate that pseudoceratidine represents a promising scaffold for the development of new antimalarial drugs.

Morphological and molecular systematics of the ‘Monanchora arbuscula complex’ (Poecilosclerida : Crambeidae), with the description of five new species and a biogeographic discussion of the genus in the Tropical Western Atlantic

Monanchora Carter, 1883 is a genus of shallow-water marine sponges comprising 16 species distributed worldwide, two of them in the Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA): M. arbuscula (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864) and M. brasiliensis Esteves, Lerner, Lôbo-Hajdu & Hajdu, 2012. The former species stands out as one of the most variable demosponges, and is very similar in spicule complement and in secondary metabolite chemistry to the Mediterranean/eastern Atlantic Crambe crambe (Schmidt, 1862), type species of Crambe Vosmaer, 1880. The aim of the present study was to revise the genus Monanchora in the TWA. In addition, we critically analyse the monophyly of Crambe and Monanchora. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference analyses of 28S and 16S rRNA sequences of the latter genera, and a redescription of the ‘M. arbuscula complex’, revealed three species: M. arbuscula s.s., M. coccinea, sp. nov. and a new species of Acarnidae – Iophon parvachela, sp. nov. Three other new species from the TWA previously assigned to Monanchora were revealed by morphological analyses, and are also described: M. bahamensis, sp. nov., M. megasigmifera, sp. nov. and a new species of Chondropsidae – Batzella catarinensis, sp. nov. A key for species identification is provided. Our results suggest that the Eastern Brazil and Southeastern Brazil Ecoregions may represent centres of diversity for Monanchora in the TWA.

Rearranged Terpenoids from the Marine Sponge Darwinella cf. oxeata and Its Predator, the Nudibranch Felimida grahami

Marine sponges are a rich source of terpenoids with rearranged spongian carbon skeletons. Investigation of extracts from the sponge Darwinella cf. oxeata yielded four new rearranged diterpenoids, oxeatine (2) and oxeatamides H-J (3-5), as well as the known metabolites oxeatamide A (6), oxeatamide A methyl ester (7), and membranolide (1). Oxeatine (2) has a new heterocyclic skeleton, while oxeatamide J (5) has an N-methyl urea group included in a γ-lactam moiety. UPLC-QTOF analysis of the extract obtained from the mantle of the nudibranch Felimida grahami indicated the presence of 1 and 4.

How a collaborative integrated taxonomic effort has trained new spongiologists and improved knowledge of Martinique Island (French Antilles, eastern Caribbean Sea) marine biodiversity

Although sponges are important components of benthic ecosystems of the Caribbean Sea, their diversity remained poorly investigated in the Lesser Antilles. By organizing a training course in Martinique, we wanted both to promote taxonomy and to provide a first inventory of the sponge diversity on this island. The course was like a naturalist expedition, with a field laboratory and a classroom nearby. Early-career scientists and environmental managers were trained in sponge taxonomy. We gathered unpublished data and conducted an inventory at 13 coastal sites. We explored only shallow water habitats (0–30 m), such as mangroves, reefs or rocky bottoms and underwater caves. According to this study, the sponge fauna of Martinique is currently represented by a minimum of 191 species, 134 of which we could assign species names. One third of the remaining non-identified sponge species we consider to be new to science. Martinique appears very remarkable because of its littoral marine fauna harboring sponge aggregations with high biomass and species diversity dominating over coral species. In mangroves, sponges cover about 10% of the surface of subtidal roots. Several submarine caves are true reservoirs of hidden and insufficiently described sponge diversity. Thanks to this new collaborative effort, the Eastern Caribbean has gained a significant increase of knowledge, with sponge diversity of this area potentially representing 40% of the total in the Caribbean Sea. We thus demonstrated the importance of developing exploratory and educational research in areas historically devoid of biodiversity inventories and systematics studies. Finally, we believe in the necessity to consider not only the number of species but their distribution in space to evaluate their putative contribution to ecosystem services and our willingness to preserve them.

New Genus and species of Heteroxyidae from Brazil (Axinellida: Demospongiae: Porifera), with a revised identification key for the family

Alveospongia sinuosclera gen. nov. sp. nov. is described from shallow-waters off Canavieiras (Bahia, Brazil). The species bears an unusual morphology, combining saccular or alveolar, evenly perforated habit, and sinuous spiny microrhabdose microscleres. This sponge is tentatively classified within the Heteroxyidae Dendy (1905), on the basis of its confused choanosomal architecture of styles, and possession of spiny microrhabdose microscleres. Assays to generate DNA sequences from this material were unsuccessful. We emended the diagnosis of the family to include species bearing saccular/alveolar shape, microrhabdose acanthomicrostrongyles and styles/strongyles with modifications at the ends. The proposed new genus is compared to the remaining heteroxyid genera, as well as Crella (Crellidae), Batzella (Chondropsidae), Goreauiella (Astroscleridae) and Sceptrintus (Podospongiidae). A revised key for identification of Heteroxyidae genera is provided.

Timeless standards for species delimitation

Recently a new species of bombyliid fly, Marleyimyia xylocopae, was described by Marshall & Evenhuis (2015) based on two photographs taken during fieldwork in the Republic of South Africa. This species has no preserved holotype. The paper generated some buzz, especially among dipterists, because in most cases photographs taken in the field provide insufficient information for properly diagnosing and documenting species of Diptera.

An extensive reef system at the Amazon River mouth

Large rivers create major gaps in reef distribution along tropical shelves. The Amazon River represents 20% of the global riverine discharge to the ocean, generating up to a 1.3 × 10(6)-km(2) plume, and extensive muddy bottoms in the equatorial margin of South America. As a result, a wide area of the tropical North Atlantic is heavily affected in terms of salinity, pH, light penetration, and sedimentation. Such unfavorable conditions were thought to imprint a major gap in Western Atlantic reefs. We present an extensive carbonate system off the Amazon mouth, underneath the river plume. Significant carbonate sedimentation occurred during lowstand sea level, and still occurs in the outer shelf, resulting in complex hard-bottom topography. A permanent near-bottom wedge of ocean water, together with the seasonal nature of the plume's eastward retroflection, conditions the existence of this extensive (~9500 km(2)) hard-bottom mosaic. The Amazon reefs transition from accretive to erosional structures and encompass extensive rhodolith beds. Carbonate structures function as a connectivity corridor for wide depth-ranging reef-associated species, being heavily colonized by large sponges and other structure-forming filter feeders that dwell under low light and high levels of particulates. The oxycline between the plume and subplume is associated with chemoautotrophic and anaerobic microbial metabolisms. The system described here provides several insights about the responses of tropical reefs to suboptimal and marginal reef-building conditions, which are accelerating worldwide due to global changes.

Lissodendoryx (Ectyodoryx) Lundbeck, 1909 (Coelosphaeridae, Poecilosclerida, Demospongiae) from Southern Chile: new species and a discussion of morphologic characters in the subgenus

Our ongoing studies of the Chilean sponge fauna revealed four new species of Lissodendoryx (Ectyodoryx) that are described here, including three from the fjord's region (< 30 m depth, L.(E.) ballena sp. nov., L. (E.) corrugata sp. nov.,      L. (E.) coloanensis sp. nov.), and one from the deep waters off Diego Ramírez Archipelago (ca. 2000 m, L. (E.) diegoramirezensis sp. nov.). In addition, the type of L. (E.) anacantha was revised and found to bear much larger acanthostyles than originally reported. Our results revealed skeletal architectures quite distinct from that reported from the type species of L. (Ectyodoryx), and not predicted in the current diagnosis of Lissodendoryx, requiring an amended diagnosis. Ectosomal megascleres also set the majority of the new species apart from the type species of L. (Ectyodoryx), which does not have terminally microspined (sub)tylotes. This character is widespread in Lissodendoryx and might be pointing to phylogenetic affinities across the current subgeneric arrangement. Further morphologic characters and alternative phylogenetic scenarios are discussed, including hymedesmiid and myxillid affinities of the species described here.

A new species of freshwater sponge, Heteromeyenia barlettai sp. nov. from an aquarium in São Paulo, Brazil (Spongillida: Spongillidae)

A new species of freshwater sponge, Heteromeyenia barlettai sp. nov., is proposed here based on specimens discovered in a private aquarium in São Paulo, Brazil, and most likely inadvertently collected from the Paraná Basin. The present study also presents a redescription of H. insignis on the basis of the specimen reported upon by Volkmer (1963), collected from the Atlântico Sul Hydrographic Basin. Spicule measurements (n=30) were made for comparison with other Heteromeyenia species. This is the first time that H. insignis has its complete set of spicules studied under SEM. After comparison with the redescription of the type of H. baileyi, we also find characteristics that justify the maintenance of H. insignis as a valid species. A key to species of Heteromeyenia is provided.

Two new species of Timea from the Southwest Atlantic (Timeidae, Demospongiae, Porifera)

Comprising 56 species, Timea Gray, 1867 belongs to the monotypic family Timeidae Gray, 1867, with both family and genus characterized by the presence of (sub)tylostyles as megascleres, and euasters as microscleres. Two new species are described from the coast of Rio de Janeiro state, Timea berlincki sp. nov. and Timea clandestina sp. nov., the first of which also from São Paulo state (southeastern Brazil). Both are compared to other species based on their morphological and skeletal characters. Records of all species of the genus worldwide are tabulated and discussed, and an identification key for Tropical western Atlantic species of Timea is offered.

Characterization of Bacterial, Archaeal and Eukaryote Symbionts from Antarctic Sponges Reveals a High Diversity at a Three-Domain Level and a Particular Signature for This Ecosystem

Sponge-associated microbial communities include members from the three domains of life. In the case of bacteria, they are diverse, host specific and different from the surrounding seawater. However, little is known about the diversity and specificity of Eukarya and Archaea living in association with marine sponges. This knowledge gap is even greater regarding sponges from regions other than temperate and tropical environments. In Antarctica, marine sponges are abundant and important members of the benthos, structuring the Antarctic marine ecosystem. In this study, we used high throughput ribosomal gene sequencing to investigate the three-domain diversity and community composition from eight different Antarctic sponges. Taxonomic identification reveals that they belong to families Acarnidae, Chalinidae, Hymedesmiidae, Hymeniacidonidae, Leucettidae, Microcionidae, and Myxillidae. Our study indicates that there are different diversity and similarity patterns between bacterial/archaeal and eukaryote microbial symbionts from these Antarctic marine sponges, indicating inherent differences in how organisms from different domains establish symbiotic relationships. In general, when considering diversity indices and number of phyla detected, sponge-associated communities are more diverse than the planktonic communities. We conclude that three-domain microbial communities from Antarctic sponges are different from surrounding planktonic communities, expanding previous observations for Bacteria and including the Antarctic environment. Furthermore, we reveal differences in the composition of the sponge associated bacterial assemblages between Antarctic and tropical-temperate environments and the presence of a highly complex microbial eukaryote community, suggesting a particular signature for Antarctic sponges, different to that reported from other ecosystems.

Anti-parasitic Guanidine and Pyrimidine Alkaloids from the Marine Sponge Monanchora arbuscula

HPLC-UV-ELSD-MS-guided fractionation of the anti-parasitic extract obtained from the marine sponge Monanchora arbuscula, collected off the southeastern coast of Brazil, led to the isolation of a series of guanidine and pyrimidine alkaloids. The pyrimidines monalidine A (1) and arbusculidine A (7), as well as the guanidine alkaloids batzellamide A (8) and hemibatzelladines 9-11, represent new minor constituents that were identified by analysis of spectroscopic data. The total synthesis of monalidine A confirmed its structure. Arbusculidine A (7), related to the ptilocaulin/mirabilin/netamine family of tricyclic guanidine alkaloids, is the first in this family to possess a benzene ring. Batzellamide A (8) and hemibatzelladines 9-11 represent new carbon skeletons that are related to the batzelladines. Evaluation of the anti-parasitic activity of the major known metabolites, batzelladines D (12), F (13), L (14), and nor-L (15), as well as of synthetic monalidine A (1), against Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania infantum is also reported, along with a detailed investigation of parasite cell-death pathways promoted by batzelladine L (14) and norbatzelladine L (15).

Cytotoxic Plakortides from the Brazilian Marine Sponge Plakortis angulospiculatus

Three new plakortides, 7,8-dihydroplakortide E (1), 2, and 10, along with known natural products 3, 4, spongosoritin A (5), 6-8, and plakortide P (9), were isolated from Brazilian specimens of Plakortis angulospiculatus. Compounds 2, 3, 5, and 7-9 displayed cytotoxic activities with IC50 values ranging from 0.2 to 10 μM. Compounds that contained a dihydrofuran ring were generally less active and displayed time dependence in their activity. The activities of compounds 2 and 7-9, carboxylic acids bearing a common six-membered endoperoxide, were higher overall than for compounds 3 and 5. The modes underlying the cytotoxic actions of plakortides 2, 3, 5, 7, and 9 were further investigated using HCT-116 cells. While dihydrofurans 3 and 5 induce a G0/G1 arrest, six-membered peroxides 2, 7, and 9 delivered a G2/M arrest and an accumulation of mitotic figures, indicating a distinctly different antimitotic response. Confocal analysis indicated that microtubules were not altered after treatment with 2, 7, or 9, therein suggesting that the mitotic arrest may be unrelated to cytoskeletal targets. Overall, we find that two related classes of natural products obtained from the same extract offer cytostatic activity, yet they do so through discrete pathways.

New Hamacantha from Peru and resurrection of Zygherpe as subgenus (Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida, Hamacanthidae)

Two species of Hamacantha with tylostyles are reported here for the Peruvian coast, namely H. desmacelloides sp.nov. and H. hyaloderma. The former is the first species in the genus with apically microspined sigmas, similar to those known to occur in Neofibularia, and recently reported from genera Biemna, Desmacella, Rhabderemia and Sigmaxinella. Hamacantha hyaloderma was previously known from Mexico to Canada, and is here reported for the first time from the south east Pacific. The finding of a second species with tylostyles led us to reinstate subgenus Hamacantha (Zygherpe). The possible phylogenetic significance of apically microspined sigmas is discussed in view of recent findings on the basis of molecular data.

Hamacantha (Hamacantha) boomerang sp. nov. from deep-sea coral mounds at Campos Basin, SW Atlantic, and redescription of H. (H.) schmidtii (Carter, 1882) (Hamacanthidae, Poecilosclerida, Demospongiae)

There are 22 species of Hamacantha registered from all over the world, and frequently from deep-waters, only two of which had previously been reported from the SW Atlantic. Here we describe a third species for this area, Hamacantha (H.) boomerang sp. nov., collected from deep-sea coral mounds at Campos Basin (off Rio de Janeiro state). We found oxeas 271-630 µm long, diancistras in three size classes, 125-155, 45-69 and 20-29 µm, and toxas, 58-82 µm. This is the only Hamacantha combining oxeas and toxas, but the latter are very rare. The species approaches the Caribbean H. (H.) schmidtii (Carter, 1882), where we observed oxeas 390-495 µm long, and diancistras in three size classes, 109-124,  44-54 and 26-41 μm, however toxas appear to be absent. Both species are clearly distinct by micrometric values, as well as the overall morphology of the smaller diancistras, distinct from the intermediate category in the new species, but quite similar in H. (H.) schmidtii. Hamacantha (Vomerula) falcula approaches the new species very closely in microsclere dimensions and morphology, but is set apart by its styloid and smaller megascleres.

Antifungal Activity of Metabolites from the Marine Sponges Amphimedon sp. and Monanchora arbuscula against Aspergillus flavus Strains Isolated from Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea)

Contamination of preharvest and stored peanuts ( Arachis hypogaea L.) by aflatoxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus is an important economical and food safety problem in many tropical and subtropical areas of the world. The present investigation reports the antifungal activity of a halitoxins/amphitoxins enriched extract obtained from the sponge Amphimedon sp. (HAEEAsp), and of batzelladine L isolated from the sponge Monanchora arbuscula on Aspergillus flavus isolated from stored peanuts. A PCR system directed against the ITS region and aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway genes of A. flavus was applied for identification of aflatoxin producing strains. The HAEEAsp extract and batzelladine L showed minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the range between 1.9 to 15.6 μg/mL and between 1.9 to 7.8 μg/mL, respectively. The minimal fungicide concentration (MFC) of HAEEAsp extract and batzelladine L was in the range between 3.9 to 31.3 μg/mL and 3.9 to 15.6 μg/mL, respectively. These results indicate that these marine alkaloids may be further explored for the development of potential lead compounds active against aflatoxigenic fungi.

Antifungal activity of metabolites from the marine sponges Amphimedon sp. and Monanchora arbuscula against Aspergillus flavus strains isolated from peanuts (Arachis hypogaea)

Contamination of preharvest and stored peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) by aflatoxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus is an important economical and food safety problem in many tropical and subtropical areas of the world. The present investigation reports the antifungal activity of a halitoxins/amphitoxins enriched extract obtained from the sponge Amphimedon sp. (HAEEAsp), and of batzelladine L isolated from the sponge Monanchora arbuscula on Aspergillus flavus isolated from stored peanuts. A PCR system directed against the ITS region and aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway genes of A. flavus was applied for identification of aflatoxin producing strains. The HAEEAsp extract and batzelladine L showed minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the range between 1.9 to 15.6 microg/mL and between 1.9 to 7.8 microg/mL, respectively. The minimal fungicide concentration (MFC) of HAEEAsp extract and batzelladine L was in the range between 3.9 to 31.3 microg/mL and 3.9 to 15.6 microg/mL, respectively. These results indicate that these marine alkaloids may be further explored for the development of potential lead compounds active against aflatoxigenic fungi.

Twelve new Demospongiae (Porifera) from Chilean fjords, with remarks upon sponge-derived biogeographic compartments in the SE Pacific

This article reports on 12 new species originating from the Chilean fjords region, namely Clathria (Microciona) mytilifila sp. nov., Haliclona (Reniera) caduca sp. nov., Latrunculia (L.) ciruela sp. nov., Latrunculia (L.) copihuensis sp. nov., Latrunculia (L.) verenae sp. nov., Latrunculia (L.) yepayek sp. nov., Myxilla (Burtonanchora) araucana sp. nov., Neopodospongia tupecomareni sp. nov., Oceanapia guaiteca sp. nov., Oceanapia spinisphaera sp. nov., Suberites cranium sp. nov. and Tethya melinka sp. nov. The material studied was collected between 5 and 30 m depth at latitudes comprised between 42º and 50ºS, and is part of a large collection of Chilean sponges gathered by an international team in a series of expeditions. Identification keys are provided for SE Pacific Suberites and Latrunculia, and the known species of Myxilla (Burtonanchora) and Neopodospongia. A trans-Pacific link to the New Zealand fauna was retrieved for the latter genus. Distribution ranges apparent from the materials studied here are judged too preliminary to allow any inference on biotic boundaries in the SE Pacific. A revision of earlier assertions about these biogeographic units and their boundaries concluded that very little support remains other than for existence of a Magellanic fauna. This is in part a consequence of revising the taxonomy of sponge species originally deemed to underpin these areas. Specifically, the former proposal of a Central to Southern Chile biogeographic unit (33-56ºS) has been markedly undone. 

Mycalina: another crack in the Poecilosclerida framework

This is the first phylogenetic analysis integrating both morphological and molecular data of the sponge suborder Mycalina (Poecilosclerida), which was erected in 1994. A cladistic analysis of morphology supported the monophyly of Cladorhizidae (including Euchelipluma), Guitarridae (excluding Euchelipluma), Isodictyidae, Latrunculiidae, and Podospongiidae but rejected monophyly for Desmacellidae, Esperiopsidae, Hamacanthidae, and Mycalidae. Analyses of partial 16S and partial 28S rRNA datasets combined, as well as that of a complete 18S rDNA dataset, suggest that Mycalina is not monophyletic; Biemnidae is only distantly related to other poecilosclerids; Merlia and Desmacella branch near the base of a diverse Poecilosclerida clade; Mycalidae is monophyletic (excluding Mycale [Anomomycale] titubans in 18S); and Esperiopsidae and Isodictyidae form a clade. Analyses of the two molecular datasets differed on the monophyly of Podospongiidae and about the relationship of Podospongiidae to Isodictyidae + Esperiopsidae.