GBIF Taxonomic Backbone & Wikipedia Registry Profile
Description. A single specimen consisting of a 35 mm long smooth, curving and flexible stem, with 3 – 4 up to 10 mm long slightly thinner side branches broken off during collection and preservation. The basal part of the sponge is missing. The branches and main stem each end with a slightly swollen, elongated, disc-like body with radiating filaments. Color is white in ethanol, with a slight yellow tint. No aquiferous system was observed (Fig. 2 A – B). The specimen was recovered on the surface of an unknown Geodia (aff. megastrella, possibly undescribed) using the Alvin submersible, but it is unknown whether it was originally attached to this sponge. Skeleton. The central stem and branches consist of densely packed bundles of mycalostyles. Each disc-shaped body is composed of a slightly expanded continuation of the connecting stem or branch with the addition of a network of less well organized subtylostyles as well as radiating bundles of mycalostyles projecting from the body and constituting the skeleton of the filaments. Arcuate isochelae and sigmancistras are found throughout the body tissue, but their exact placement was not determined (Fig. 2 C – E). Spicules. Mycalostyles, straight and fusiform, 720 – (933) – 1070 µm long, 14 – (17) – 22 µm wide (Fig. 3 A). Subtylostyles to mycalostyles, thin, straight and fusiform, with faint, slightly elongated tyle, 430 – (686) – 960 µm long, 5 – (10) – 13 µm wide (Fig. 3 B). Strongyles, stout and slightly bent, 380 – (568) – 780 µm long, 15 – (18) – 22 µm wide (Fig. 3 C). Arcuate isochelae, tridentate, with strongly arched shafts, in the body tissue and covering the filaments, 28 – (43) – 50 µm (Fig. 3 D – F). Sigmancistras, thick, straight or contorted, with the concave side clearly flattened into fimbria-like structures towards each end, 9.4 – (9.8) – 11.0 µm (Fig. 3 G).
