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.

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.

The sponges Hymeniacidon perlevis and Halichondria panicea are reservoirs of antibiotic-producing bacteria against multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus

AIMS

Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of cultivable bacteria associated with the marine sponges Hymeniacidon perlevis and Halichondria panicea against multi-drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

METHODS AND RESULTS

One hundred and fourteen bacterial isolates were recovered from H. perlevis and H. panicea. Antibacterial action was demonstrated by 70% of the isolates against reference strain Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 and by 31·6% against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 in agar overlay assays. Antibacterial potential was further analysed against 36 multi-drug-resistant hospital Staphylococcus aureus strains with diverse resistance profiles. Among the 80 isolates positive against S. aureus ATCC 29213, 76·3% were active against at least one clinical S. aureus pathogen and 73·6% inhibited one or more methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and vancomycin non-susceptible S. aureus strains. In addition, 41·3% inhibited all vancomycin nonsusceptible MRSA strains.

CONCLUSIONS

Culturable bacteria associated to H. perlevis and H. panicea are promising sources of antibacterial compounds of great pharmaceutical interest.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study was the first to explore the antibacterial potential of culturable bacteria associated with the marine sponges H. perlevis and H. panicea against MDR bacteria. This is the first report of antibacterial activity by Aquimarina, Denitrobaculum, Maribacter and Vagococcus isolates against MDR S. aureus strains, including vancomycin nonsusceptible and methicillin-resistant ones, against which new antibiotics are urgently needed.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Biologically controlled mineralization in the hypercalcified sponge Petrobiona massiliana (Calcarea, Calcaronea)

Hypercalcified sponges, endowed with a calcium carbonate basal skeleton in addition to their spicules, form one of the most basal metazoan group engaged in extensive biomineralization. The Mediterranean species Petrobiona massiliana was used to investigate biological controls exerted on the biomineralization of its basal skeleton. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM) confirmed that basopinacocytes form a discontinuous layer of flattened cells covering the skeleton and display ultrastructural features attesting intense secretory activity. The production of a highly structured fibrillar organic matrix framework by basopinacocytes toward the growing skeleton was highlighted both by potassium pyroantimonate and ruthenium red protocols, the latter further suggesting the presence of sulfated glycosaminoglycans in the matrix. Furthermore organic material incorporated into the basal skeleton was shown by SEM and TEM at different structural levels while its response to alcian blue and acridine orange staining might suggest a similar acidic and sulfated chemical composition in light microscopy. Potassium pyroantimonate revealed in TEM and energy electron loss spectroscopy (EELS) analysis, heavy linear precipitates 100-300 nm wide containing Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) ions, either along the basal cell membrane of basopinacocytes located toward the decalcified basal skeleton or around decalcified spicules in the mesohyl. Based on the results of the previous mineralogical characterization and the present work, an hypothetical model of biomineralization is proposed for P. massiliana: basopinacocytes would produce an extracellular organic framework that might guide the assemblage of submicronic amorphous Ca- and Mg-bearing grains into higher structural units.

Experimental metamorphosis ofHalisarca dujardini larvae (Demospongiae, Halisarcida): Evidence of flagellated cell totipotentiality

The potency of flagellated cells of Halisarca dujardini (Halisarcida, Demospongiae) larvae from the White Sea (Arctic) was investigated experimentally during metamorphosis. Two types of experiments were conducted. First, larvae were maintained in Ca2+ free seawater (CFSW) until the internal cells were released outside through the opening of the posterior pole. These larvae that only composed of flagellated cells (epithelial larvae) were then returned to sea water (SW) to observe their metamorphosis. The posterior aperture closed before they settled on a substratum and started a metamorphosis similar to intact larvae. Secondly, epithelial larvae were, first, further treated in CFSW and then mechanically dissociated. Separated cells or groups of cells were returned to SW, where they constituted large friable conglomerates. After 12-17 h in SW, flagellated cells showed the first steps of dedifferentiation, and regional differentiation was noticeable within conglomerates after approximately 24-36 h. External cells differentiated into pinacocytes while internal cells kept their flagella and became united in a layer. Within 48-72 h, internal cells of the conglomerates formed spherical or ovoid clusters with an internal cavity bearing flagella. These clusters further fused together in a rhagon containing one or two large choanocyte chambers. The sequence of cellular processes in epithelial larvae and in flagellated cell conglomerates was similar. Previous observations indicating the totipotentiality of larval flagellated cells during normal metamorphosis of H. dujardini are thus confirmed.

Phenotypic study of bacteria associated with the caribbean sclerosponge, Ceratoporella nicholsoni

Heterotrophic bacteria associated with the Caribbean sclerosponge, Ceratoporella nicholsoni (Hickson), were found to occur extracellularly and were confined to the mesohyl regions of the sponge tissue. Physiological, metabolic, and morphological attributes of the culturable bacteria associated with the sponge were recorded by using numerical taxonomy methods for the analysis of 158 phenotypic attributes. Morphometric methods were used to determine the proportion of the total sponge-associated bacteria that were culturable by the methods employed, with the results ranging from 3 to 11% of the total bacteria inhabiting the sponge. Approximately 78% of the culturable bacteria clustered into four groups or phena, representing two previously undescribed Vibrio spp., an Aeromonas sp., and a coryneform- or actinomycete-like sp. Most of the bacteria were facultative anaerobes, fermenting sucrose and fucose but unusual in an inability to ferment glucose. This study was the first comprehensive study of heterotrophic bacteria associated with a sponge from the Caribbean basin, a region reputed to contain the most prolific sponge populations, with respect to biomass and diversity. The possible significance of these associations is discussed.

Isoelectric focusing applied to taxonomic differentiation of the Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex and the related Trichophyton interdigitale

Somatic extracts from dermatophytes of the Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex and of Trichophyton interdigitale grown on trypticase soy broth were prepared for analytical isoelectric focusing in thin layer polyacrylamide gels over the pH range 4-6.5. A total of 44 strains were studied: 8 Arthroderma benhamiae (4 Americano-European and 4 African races), 4 Arthroderma vanbreuseghemii, 6 Trichophyton mentagrophytes and 26 Trichophyton interdigitale. Laser densitometric analysis revealed two outstanding clusters of profiles. The first one matched with the Arthroderma vanbreuseghemii profile and gathered all the Trichophyton interdigitale strains studied and 4 Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The second one corresponded to the Arthroderma benhamiae profile and gathered 2 Trichophyton mentagrophytes. This isoelectric focusing analysis suggests on one hand that Trichophyton interdigitale might be the anamorph species corresponding to the teleomorph Arthroderma vanbreuseghemii, and on the other hand that Trichophyton mentagrophytes might correspond to two teleomorph species, either Arthroderma vanbreuseghemii or Arthroderma benhamiae.