HARVARD UNIVERSITY sh LIBRARY OF THE Museum of Comparative Zoology BD ddhant al Waid 0) 1. f : in 7 ‘ i hee . ae 7 “ ' io . ne i ‘ F a y ; Mh an hi tea yh” 6 da ome ” a Rs oy ml 5 Mi hee ie RO Cee Ne gt a 7 Msc Peabody Museum of Natural History : Yale University Bulletin 20 A Systematic Study of the Demospongiae of Port Royal, Jamaica by George John Hechtel A SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF THE DEMOSPONGIAE OF PORT ROYAL, JAMAICA Bulletins published by the Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale University embody research carried out under the auspices of the Museum. The issues are numbered consecutively as independent monographs and appear at irregular intervals. Shorter papers are published at frequent intervals in the Peabody Museum Postilla Series. EpiTor1AL Boarp: Elwyn L. Simons, Chairman Charles L. Remington N. Philip Ashmole Epiror: Ellen T. Drake Communications concerning purchase or exchange of publications should be addressed to the Editor, Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, New Haven, Con- necticut 06520, U.S.A. Issued March 1, 1965 PEABODY MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY YALE UNIVERSITY BULLETIN 20 A Systematic Study of the Demospongiae of Port Royal, Jamaica BY GEORGE JOHN HECHTEL Depariment of Biology State University of New York Stony Brook, L. I., N. Y. NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT 1965 Printed in the United States of America MUS. COMP. ZOOL LIBRARY wAR 8 1965 nARVARD UNIVERSITY, LisT OF JLLUSTRATIONS ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION ACKNOWLEDGMENTS METHODS HABITATS PREVIOUS JAMAICAN RECORDS CLASSIFICATION TAXONOMIC CRITERIA SYSTEMATICS FAMILY Spongiidae Dysideidae Aplysillidae Haliclonidae Desmacidonidae Adociidae Callyspongiidae ‘Tedaniidae Microcionidae Mycalidae Halichondriidae Spirastrellidae Suberitidae Clionidae Placospongiidae Tethyidae Geodiidae Chondrillidae Plakinidae DISTRIBUTION BY HABITAT FIELD KEY ZOOGEOGRAPHICAL NOTES SUMMARY LITERATURE CITED INDEX PuatTes J-VIII CONTENTS < me — — 6 a 00) Or Or) Sh RCo ho ho ULSD le ILLUSTRATIONS ‘TEXT-FIGURES 1. Spicules of Haliclona hogarthi, p. 20. 2. Spicules of Adocia implexiformis, p. 27. 3. Spicules of Adocia albifragilis, p. 28. 4. Spicules of Pellina coeliformis, p. 29. 5. Spicules of Szgmadocia caerulea, p. 30. 6. Spicules of Callyspongia pallida, p. 36. 7. Spicules of Microciona microchela, p. 41. 8. Spicules of Microciona rarispinosa, p. 43. 9. Spicules of Thalyseurypon conulosa, p. 44. 10. Spicules of Ulosa hispida, p. 51. 11. Spicules of Halichondria magniconulosa, p. 53. 12. Spicules of Diplastrella megastellata, p. 58. 13. Spicules of Geodia papyracea, p. 71. 14. Spicules of Erylus ministrongylus, p. 73. 15. Spicules of Corticium tetralophum, p. 77. PLATES I. Fig. 1. Verongia fistularis (Pallas). Figs. 2,3. Haliclona erina de Laubenfels. Fig. 4. Haliclona doria de Laubenfels. Fig. 5. Oligoceras hemorrhages de Laubenfels. II. Fig. 1. Haliclona hogarthi n. sp. Fig. 2. Adocia implexiformis n. sp. Fig. 3. Gelliodes areolata (Wilson). Fig. 4. Desmapsamma anchorata (Carter). III. Fig. 1. Pellina coeliformis n. sp. Figs. 2,3. Adocia carbonaria (Lamarck). Fig. 4. | Sigmadocia caerulea n. sp. Fig. 5. Callyspongia pallida n. sp. IV. Fig. 1. Callyspongia plicifera (Lamarck). Fig. 2. Callyspongia fallax Duchassaing and Michelotti. V. Fig. 1. Halichondria magniconulosa n. sp. Fig. 2. Halichondria melanadocia de Laubenfels. Fig. 3. Zygomycale parishit (Bowerbank). Fig. 4. Tedania ignis (Duchassaing and Michelotti). VI. Fig. 1. Thalyseurypon conulosa n. sp. Fig. 2. Mycale laevis (Carter). VII. Fig. 1. Placospongia carinata (Bowerbank). Fig. 2. Diplastrella megastellata n. sp. Fig. 3. Terpios zetekt (de Laubenfels). Figs. 4,5. Anthosigmella varians (Duchassaing and Michelotti). VIII. Figs. 1,2. Geodia papyracea n. sp. a ca 9 Erylus ministrongylus n. sp. Vi YALE UNIVERSITY PEABODY MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BULLETIN No. 20, 104 p., 8 PLs., 15 TEXT-FIGs., 1965. A SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF THE DEMOSPONGIAE OF PORT ROYAL, JAMAICA By GEORGE JOHN HECHTEL ABSTRACT A systematic study of the shallow water sponges of Port Royal has added 54 species to the Jamaican faunal list, of which 16 are new. One new genus, Neofibularia, is proposed for the preoccupied Fibularia Carter. The new species are Darwinella rosacea, Haliclona hogarthi, Adocia implexiformis, Adocia albifragilis, Pellina coeliformis, Sigmadocia caerulea, Callyspongia pallida, Halichondria magniconulosa, Microciona microchela, Microciona rarispinosa, Thalyseurypon conulosa, Ulosa hispida, Diplastrella megastellata, Geodia (Cydonium) papyracea, Erylus minis- trongylus, and Corticium tetralophum. The use of field characteristics on the species level is discussed. The classification of de Laubenfels (1936a) is utilized, with several modifications. The Adociidae are transferred to the Haplosclerida, and Lundbeck’s family Mycalidae is used in place of de Laubenfels’ Amphilectidae. A review of the taxonomy and distribution of each species is presented. The zoogeographical affinities of the Jamaican sponge fauna are noted. A SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF THE DEMOSPONGIAE OF PORT ROYAL, JAMAICA* GEORGE JOHN HECHTEL INTRODUCTION The West Indian sponge fauna has not been intensively studied. Detailed regional surveys were not begun until the twentieth century, when Wilson (1902a) described a collection of Puerto Rican sponges. Arndt (1927) has studied the fauna of Curacao. In a series of papers (1936a, 1936b, 1949, 1950a, 1953a) de Laubenfels discussed the shallow water sponges of localities on the periphery of the West Indies (the Dry Tortugas, in the Florida Keys; Panama; Bimini in the Bahamas; Bermuda; and the west coast of Florida, respectively.) The fauna of the Antilles is still poorly known. Jamaica was chosen for study as one of the Greater Antilles. The University College of the West Indies maintains a marine station on the Jamaican south coast. The present report is a systematic study of the Demospongiae growing in less than twenty feet of water near the station. This study was submitted in 1962 to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Yale University as a dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wish to express my sincere appreciation to Dr. Willard D. Hartman, who introduced me to the study of sponges. His encouragement, advice and criticisms have been invaluable. An initial trip to Jamaica in the summer of 1959 was made possible by the Department of Zoology and the Peabody Museum of Yale University. Extensive field work was made possible by an assistantship at the University College of the West Indies during the academic year 1959-60 and 1960-61. Professor David M. Steven of the Zoology Department at the University College of the West Indies generously provided laboratory facilities at the Uni- versity and its marine station. Dr. Ivan Goodbody and Dr. ‘Thomas Goreau, also of the University, contributed valuable specimens. Mr. John Howard and Dr. Patricia R. Bergquist at the Peabody Museum of Yale University gave in- valuable aid in the preparation of the plates. Finally, I am deeply grateful to my wife, Florence M. Hechtel, for her aid and encouragement. METHODS Most specimens were collected by hand, after wading or diving with snorkel and face mask. Several specimens were collected in deeper water by Dr. T. F. Goreau, using an aqua-lung. Field characteristics, such as color, consistency and oscular size, were noted at the time of collection. The specimens were preserved in two changes of 75 per cent alcohol. Spicule preparations were obtained by boiling small samples in concentrated nitric acid, within a small Erlenmeyer flask. The acid was removed by a process * Published with the aid of a National Science Foundation Publication Grant, No. GN257. Z INTRODUCTION 3 of washing, centrifuging, and decanting. Water and then alcohol were used in washing. The spicules were then suspended in alcohol and poured onto slides for drying and mounting. Dermal structure was studied from thin strips of the surface, removed by a razor blade or forceps. Internal morphology was examined in hand sections cut from paraffin-embedded pieces of the specimens. Sections were taken tangentially and at right angles to the surface. Longitudinal sections were made of elongate specimens. Most preparations were stained with Poinceau red or light green. Spicules are conspicuous in such sections, and spongin becomes somewhat more deeply stained than the surrounding flesh. HABITATS Port Royal is a fishing village at the tip of the Palisadoes Peninsula. The latter forms the southern shore of Kingston Harbor. The northern edge of the penin- sula is fringed by mangrove swamps which begin about one mile northeast of the marine station. A chain of reefs and islands (the Kingston Cays) lies offshore from Port Royal. The geography of the area is detailed in British Admiralty maps 454 and 456. A variety of habitats could easily be reached by small boat. The principal collecting areas were: Habitat A—Port Royal Docks: Sponges were a conspicuous element of the dock and seawall community. The water was 8-10 feet deep at the base of the seawall. Many specimens were collected from the dock of the old university marine station, located just beyond the northeastern wall of Port Royal. A sec- ond collecting point was a seawall near the tide guage of the Port Royal police post on Port Royal Point. Habitat B—Port Royal Harbor: Specimens were collected in 15-20 feet of water, just offshore from Port Royal, by Dr. T. F. Goreau using an aqua-lung. They were growing on coral masses. Habitat C—Rasta’s wreck: A shallow, mangrove-fringed inlet opens into Port Royal harbor between the naval yard and Gallow’s Point. The inlet is located at 17° 56’30” N. Lat., 76° 50’ W. Long. A wooden hulk, known locally as Rasta’s wreck, was submerged in 4-8 feet of water at the eastern end of the inlet. Sponges covered much of its surface. Habitat D—Port Royal turtle grass bed: Turtle grass grew over much of the muddy bottom of the inlet near Rasta’s wreck. The water was 3-6 feet in depth. A few species were growing on or among the turtle grass. Habitat E—Mangroves bordering inlet: The well-illuminated water was 1-2 feet deep. Many mangrove roots were covered with sponges. Habitat F—Main boat channel: A rowboat channel, averaging 10 feet in width and 2-3 feet in depth, running from the northeastern corner of the inlet to- ward Kingston harbor. It was shaded by the tops of mangroves and had a steady current. Sponges were abundant on mangrove roots along the channel. Habitat G—Pigeon House Pile: Several species were dredged from a mussel bank near Pigeon House Pile, in Kingston harbor, at 17° 57’30” N. Lat., 76° 49’30” W. Long. The sponges were growing in 10-15 feet of water. Habitat H—Shallow water at the cays: Sponges were collected under rocks and ledges in 1-6 feet of water. Study was concentrated on Drunkenman’s Cay, and to a lesser extent, Maiden Cay. Drunkenman’s Cay is located at 17° 54’ N. Lat., 76° 3036” W. Long. Maiden Cay is at 17° 54’30” N. Lat., 76° 48730” W. Long. 4 A SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF THE DEMOSPONGIAE OF JAMAICA Habitat I—Deeper water near the cays: Sponges were common on coral masses and gorgonian colonies in 10-15 feet of water. Most specimens were collected in an area between Lime Cay (17° 55’ N. Lat., 76° 49’ W. Long) and Maiden Cay. Habitat J—Offshore turtle grass beds: Several areas of sand and turtle grass were located near Port Royal. Study was concentrated on a small patch in several feet of water on the leeward side of Drunkenman’s Cay. PREVIOUS JAMAICAN RECORDS Twelve published reports of Jamaican sponges, referring to ten species, have been noted in the course of the present study. The earliest record is that of Higgin (1877). His Halichondria birotulata (transferred to Jotrochota by Ridley, 1884) was described from Venezuela, the Bahamas, and Kingston Bay, Jamaica. De Laubenfels (1932a, p. 40) examined Jamaican specimens (those of Higgin?) in the British Museum (Natural History) collections. The species is abundant at Port Royal. Suberites angulospiculatus was described from Jamaica by Carter (1879a, p. 346). Its peculiar spicules are somewhat similar in form to those of Plakortis, but are much larger. De Laubenfels (1936a, p. 162) attributed Dry Tortugas speci- mens to Carter’s species, which he transferred to Epipolasis. De Laubenfels’ sponges, with oxeas and strongyloxeas, are not even congeneric with Suberites angulospiculatus. Carter’s species was not found in the present study, and its taxonomic position remains obscure. Suberites coronarius Carter (1882, p. 352) was described from Honduras, the Bahamas, and Jamaica. The species was transferred to Anthosigmella by Topsent (1918, p. 557) and placed into synonymy with A. varians by de Laubenfels (1936a, p- 13). Several specimens were collected in the present study. Spinosella maxima Dendy (1887d, p. 506; 1890, p. 365) was described from Nassau in the Bahamas. A Jamaican variety was characterized by the presence of vestigial spicules. Dendy’s species, with its variety, is almost certainly con- specific with Callyspongia plicifera, which is common near the Kingston Cays. Lendenfeld included three Jamaican records in his 1889 monograph of the Keratosa. The specimen attributed to Hircinia variabilis Schmidt was probably an example of Ircinia fasciculata. His record of Aplysina flagelliformis Carter (1886) probably refers to Verongia longissima. Both species occur at Port Royal. His Aplysina spengelii, reported from Jamaica and Ceylon, is probably a synonym of Verongia lacunosa, as suggested by Topsent (1932). It was not found at Port Royal. Spirastrella andrewsit George and Wilson (1919, p. 135) was described from North Carolina and Jamaica. De Laubenfels (1932b, p. 50) has shown that the species is conspecific with Spheciospongia vesparia. A specimen was collected in the present survey. Uliczka (1929, p. 38) described Cinachyra rhizophyta from Kingston, Jamaica. No further specimens have been found. Geodia media Bowerbank was reported by Uliczka (1929, p. 38) from Bar- bados, ‘Tortugas, and Kingston. G. media is a probable synonym of the common Geodia gibberosa. CLASSIFICATION The classification of de Laubenfels (1936a) has been adopted in large part. It requires considerable revision but remains the most complete and widely-used system. Several alterations do seem necessary, however. The keratose sponges — SYSTEMATICS 5 are divided into the suborders Dictyoceratina and Dendroceratina of Minchin (1900). The Adociidae are transferred to the order Haplosclerida, as discussed in the systematic section. The family Mycalidae Lundbeck (1905) is used in place of the similarly defined family Amphilectidae of de Laubenfels. The order Homosclerophorida, reconstituted by Lévi (1953, 1956b), has been utilized in preference to de Laubenfels’ treatment. TAXONOMIC CRITERIA In de Laubenfels’ classification, genera are usually based on spicule comple- ment or fiber composition. Species are characterized by their shape, color, con- sistency, spicule size ranges and details of architecture. Burton (1932, p. 377) has questioned the taxonomic value of microscleres, even on a species level. In the present study only two species were found to vary in spicule complement. The first, Sigmadocia caerulea, is a new species estab- lished for blue, sigma-rich, inshore sponges. Blue, algae-infested cay sponges with extremely rare sigmas are only provisionally considered to be conspecific with it. Gelliodes areolata provides a case of variation in the presence of microscleres be- tween specimens which are certainly conspecific. It seems probable that most sponge species have a stable spicule complement. Spicule size ranges, considered as variable by Burton, have been relatively consistent within a species in my ex- perience. The field characteristics of color and consistency have been invaluable in the recognition of species. The color is unfortunately lost from almost all species after preservation. The consistency of preserved sponges is usually not unlike that of the living ones. The uniformity of coloration in a large majority of species is very striking. The observed specimens of common species such as Haliclona rubens, Iotrochota birotulata and Tedania ignis did not differ appreciably in color. The intensity of coloration does vary in many species. Algae occasionally impart a greenish tinge to a sponge. Terpios zeteki does exhibit a wide range of colors, however, but can be recognized by its characteristic shape and consistency. Lévi (1952, p. 37) has also emphasized the taxonomic value of color in tropical sponges. Sponges have often been described as extremely plastic in form. (cf., for ex- ample, Bowerbank, 1866, p. 212). Burton (1932, p. 376) and Wells et al. (1960, p- 202) have noted that most species do have a characteristic shape or range of shapes. The shape can, however, be described only in general terms, such as incrusting, massive and ramose. An occasional sponge may depart from the normal. A single massive example of the usually ramose Jotrochota birotulata and a single semi-ramose example of the incrusting Microciona microchela were found. SYSTEMATICS A nomenclatorial summary is included with the description of each previously described species. The localities of collection are included within the summaries. The zoogeographical range of each species is presented under the heading of distribution, using the terminology of Ekman (1953). The term spicule category refers to spicules having the same morphological form, such as sigmas. In spicule analyses, the number of measured spicules is indicated in parentheses after the range. The spicule ranges of holotypes are starred (*). Fifty-four species are discussed in the present report. One species cannot be completely classified at this time. Of the remaining 53, 16 are new. One new 6 A SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF THE DEMOSPONGIAE OF JAMAICA genus is established. The known Jamaican sponge fauna now consists of 57 species, including three (Verongia lacunosa, Suberites angulospiculatus, and Cinachyra rhizophyta) not found in the present study. The collection is deposited in the Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University (YPM), New Haven, Connecticut. In the text, the United States National Museum is ab- breviated as USNM. The fauna of Port Royal is summarized in the following outline: CLass DEMOSPONGIAE OrDER KERATOSA SUBORDER Dictyoceratina FAMILY SPONGIIDAE Trcinta fasciculata (Pallas), p. 8 Ircinia strobilina (Lamarck), p. 10 Oligoceras hemorrhages de Laubenfels, p.11 Verongia fistularis (Pallas), p. 12 Verongia longissima (Carter), p. 13 FAMILY DysIDEIDAE Dysidea fragilis (Montagu), p. 14 Ianthella ardis de Laubenfels, p. 16 SUBORDER Dendroceratina FAMILY APLYSILLIDAE Darwinella rosacea n. sp., p. 17 OrDER HAPLOSCLERIDA FAMILY HALICLONIDAE Haliclona doria de Laubenfels, p. 18 Haliclona rubens (Pallas), p. 18 Haliclona erina de Laubenfels, p.19 Haliclona hogarthi n. sp., p. 20 FAMILY DESMACIDONIDAE Desmapsamma anchorata (Carter), p. 21 Neofibularia n. gen., p. 22 Neofibularia massa (Carter), p. 23 Iotrochota birotulata (Higgin), p. 24 Gelliodes areolata (Wilson), p. 25 FAMILY ADOCIIDAE Adocia carbonaria (Lamarck), p. 26 Adocia implexiformis n. sp., p. 27 Adocia albifragilis n. sp., p. 28 Pellina coeliformis n. sp., p. 29 Sigmadocia caerulea n. sp., p. 30 FAMILY CALLYSPONGIIDAE Callyspongia fallax Duchassaing and Michelotti, p. 31 Callyspongia vaginalis (Lamarck), p. 32 Callyspongia plicifera (Lamarck), p. 34 Callyspongia pallida n. sp., p. 36 SYSTEMATICS OrDER POECILOSCLERIDA FAMILY TEDANIIDAE Tedania ignis (Duchassaing and Michelotti), p. 37 Lissodendoryx tsodictyalis (Carter), p. 38 Acanthacarnus souriei Lévi, p. 40 FAMILY MICROCIONIDAE Microciona microchela n. sp., p. 41 Microciona rarispinosa n. sp., p. 42 Thalyseurypon conulosa n. sp., p. 44 FAMILY MYCALIDAE Mycale laevis (Carter), p. 46 Mycale microsigmatosa Arndt, p. 47 Zygomycale parishii (Bowerbank), p. 48 Ulosa hispida n. sp., p. 51 OrvER HALICHONDRIDA FAMILY HALICHONDRIIDAE Halichondria melanadocia de Laubenfels, p. 52 Halichondria magniconulosa n. sp., p. 53 OrvdER HADROMERIDA FAMILY SPIRASTRELLIDAE Spirastrella coccinea (Duchassaing and Michelotti), p. 54 Anthosigmella varians (Duchassaing and Michelotti), p. 55 Spheciospongia vesparia (Lamarck), p. 57 Diplastrella megastellata n. sp., p. 58 FAMILY SUBERITIDAE Terpios zeteki de Laubenfels, p. 59 FAMILY CLIONIDAE Cliona vermifera Hancock, p. 60 Cliona viridis (Schmidt), p. 61 FAMILY PLACOSPONGIIDAE Placospongia carinata (Bowerbank), p. 62 OrpvER EPIPOLASIDA FAMILY TETHYIDAE Tethya seychellensis (Wright), p. 65 Tethya actinia de Laubenfels, p. 66 Tethya sp., cf. maza Selenka, p. 67 OrDER CHORISTIDA FAMILY GEODIIDAE Geodia (Geodia) gibberosa (Lamarck), p. 68 Geodia (Cydonium) papyracea n. sp., p. 71 Erylus ministrongylus n. sp., p. 72 FAMILY CHONDRILLIDAE Chondrilla nucula Schmidt, p. 74 8 A SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF THE DEMOSPONGIAE OF JAMAICA OrpDER HOMOSCLEROPHORIDA FAMILY PLAKINIDAE Plakortis z»9ggompha (de Laubenfels), p. 76 Corticium tetralophum n. sp., p. 77 CLiass DEMOSPONGIAE Sollas, 1888 OrDER KERATOSA Grant, 1861 SUBORDER Dictyoceratina Minchin, 1900 Fami_y SPONGIIDAE Gray, 1867, sensu de Laubenfels, 1948 Genus IRCINIA Nardo Ircinia fasciculata (Pallas) de Laubenfels Spongia fasciculata Pallas, 1766, p. 381 [neotype: Dry Tortugas, Florida (not from type locality); USNM no. 22503]; Lamarck, 1813, p. 372. [non] Spongia fasciculata Esper, 1794, p. 253 (fide Topsent, 1930.) Hircinia fasciculata, Schmidt, 1862, p. 34; Lendenfeld, 1889, p- 587; Topsent, 1920b, p. 320; idem, 1930, p. 16. Ircinia fasciculata, de Laubenfels, 1948, p. 66; idem, 1949, p- 5; idem, 1950a, p. 9; idem, 1953a, p. 514; idem, 1956, p. 2; Hartman, 1955, p. 165; Wells et al., 1960, p. 206; Little, 1963, p. 34. [non] Hircinia fasciculata, Row, 1911, p. 373. Hircinia variabilis, Lendenfeld (not Schmidt, 1862), 1889, p. 557 [partim]; Wilson, 1902a, p. 405; de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 19; idem, 1936b, p. 457; idem, 1947, p. 35. [non] Ircinia variabilis, de Laubenfels, 1950a, p. 14. Hircinia ectofibrosa George and Wilson, 1919, p. 166 (fide de Laubenfels, 1948.) HasitaT. Common on pilings at Port Royal and on rocks near the cays. SHAPE. Lobate or branching. Many specimens consist of a cluster of laterally fused cylindrical lobes. The sponges are often fist-sized, but may reach 15 cm in height. Branches and projections are typically several cm in diameter. Their distal ends are somewhat rounded in outline. Cotor. In life, the upper surfaces may be yellowish-brown, reddish-brown, or reddish- purple. The interior and basal parts of the sponge are drab to cream. The oscules are dark brown to black. Preserved specimens retain some pigment, particularly around the oscular rims. The upper surfaces become olive green to gray in alcohol. ConsIsTENCY. Tough, slightly compressible, difficult to cut or tear. Opor. Fetid. SuRFACE. Finely conulose. The conules on the side and upper surfaces are 0.5 to 3, often 1 to 2 mm, in height, and 1 to 2, or occasionally 3 mm, apart. They are less numerous near the base of the sponge. Many conules are connected to adjacent ones by ridges. A network of lines, visible to the unaided eye, radiates outward from the conules. The dark-rimmed oscules are scattered apically, sometimes in ill-defined groups. In life, they are several millimeters to nearly a centimeter in diameter. Most of them are closed in preserved specimens, with their positions indicated by darkened areas. The oscules of one branching specimen are located terminally on thin processes which are about 5-6 mm in height and a few millimeters in diameter. EcrosoME. ‘The ectosome is a tough skin difficult to detach from the underlying flesh. A few openings, perhaps ostia, 80-100 , in diameter, were found in surface strips. The surface contains foreign material, knobbed filaments, and spotted, knobbed filaments. Some of the debris is condensed into a network of loose tracts. The tracts are 30-150 pw SYSTEMATICS 9 in diameter; the meshes about 150 », in width. Filaments and spotted filaments may be grouped into dense bands. The branching specimen with projecting oscules has a very course and irregular dermal network of spongin fibers which are 20-60 », in diameter. George and Wilson (1919) have reported dermal fibers in their North Carolina specimens. EnposoME. The skeleton is a coarse fibroreticulation. The primary fibers are 20-75 p in diameter and contain an abundance of foreign material. No fibrillar pith is present. The primary fibers are grouped into loose or condensed fascicles. The fascicles ascend to the conules at intervals of 0.5-1 mm. The connective fibers are similar in size to those of the fascicles. They contain less debris than the primaries, and indeed are often com- posed entirely of spongin. Often simple in mid-length, they divide into a root-like net- work of narrow fibers near the fascicles. The roots may join a fascicle or run parallel to it. In many cases, the debris-filled primaries form an axial tract within a column of clear secondary fibers. Such compound fascicles have been noted in Hircinia ectofibrosa George and Wilson, here considered as a synonym of Ircinia fasciculata. Adjacent connectives may be nearly a millimeter apart. The flesh contains some scattered debris and an abundance of filaments. The latter have a strand diameter of 3-5 y. They terminate in spherical knobs, 7-10 » in diameter. Many strands have a similar form but a slightly larger diameter. ‘They also differ from typical Jrcinia filaments through the presence of small refractile bodies on the strands and terminal swellings. George and Wilson (1919, p. 167) noted the presence of such “spotted fibers” in Hircinia ectofibrosa. Many strands are only partially spotted, thus providing a clear link between the spotted and typical filaments. Spotted filaments are also present in Jamaican specimens of Jrcinia strobilina. De Laubenfels (1954a, p. 22) has suggested that the spotted filaments are algae which become digested and modified by the sponge. DisTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: North Carolina—George and Wilson, 1919, p. 166 (as Hircinia ectofibrosa); de Laubenfels, 1947, p. 35 (as Hircinza vartabilis); Wells et al., 1960, p. 206. Florida—Hartman, 1955, p. 165. Dry Tortugas, Florida—de Lauben- fels, 1936a, p. 19 (as Hircinia variabilts). West coast, Florida—de Laubenfels, 1953a, p. 514; Little, 1963, p. 34. Atlantic coast: Panama—de Laubenfels, 1936b, p. 457 (as Hircinia variabilis). Brazil—de Laubenfels, 1956, p. 2. Bermuda—de Laubenfels, 1950a, p. 9; Hartman, 1955, p. 165. Bahamas—de Laubenfels, 1949, p. 5; Hartman, 1955, p. 165. Jamaica—Lendenfeld, 1889, p. 557, partim (as Hircinia variabilis). Puerto Rico—Wilson, 1902a, p. 405 (as Hircinia variabilts). Mediterranean—Pallas, 1766, p. 381 (as Spongia fasciculata); Lamarck, 1813, p. 372 (as Spongia fasciculata) (?); Adriatic—Schmidt, 1862, p. 34 (as Hircinia fasciculata) (?). Discussion. The branched specimen with oscular projections and surface spongin fibers is provisionally considered to be conspecific with the other specimens. Its large, dark-rimmed oscules are of the usual Jrcinia fasciculata type. The specimen resembles others in conule pattern, surface reticulation and internal architecture. The Jamaican specimens are considered to be conspecific with the fine-grained West Indian sponges attributed to Jrcinia fasciculata by de Laubenfels. A few Jamaican specti- mens have the elongate, blunt-tipped form of J. ramosa (Keller). They differ from Keller’s species in having large, dark-rimmed, fasciculata-type oscules. In addition, bun- dles of thick filaments and tracts of foreign material are present in the ectosome. Hart- man (1955) found such a pattern in specimens of J. fasciculata but not in J. ramosa. Ircinia fasciculata was originally described by Pallas for Mediterranean specimens which have apparently been lost. The Mediterranean specimens of Esper and Lamarck have been restudied by Topsent (1920b, 1930). Topsent (1930) concluded that the two sponges were not conspecific. Lamarck’s specimens, with thick filaments and debris- containing fibers, is certainly similar in skeletal structure to the West Indian species. Schmidt (1862) used the name fasciculata for an unrecognizable, macerated, Adriatic sponge. Row’s Red Sea sponge, with widely scattered conules, is certainly not conspecific with the West Indian species. The relationship of the common fine-grained West Indian Ircinia to similar sponges in other parts of the world remains obscure. Many specimens of Ircinia with low conules have been recorded as Jrcinia variabilis (Schmidt), which was 10 A SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF THE DEMOSPONGIAE OF JAMAICA considered to be a circumtropical species. Lendenfeld’s Jamaican specimen is very prob- ably an Ircinia fasciculata. De Laubenfels (1948, 1950a) concluded that most records of I. variabilis Schmidt were not conspecific with the common West Indian fine-grained Ircinia. He ignored the extant Mediterranean specimens of Esper and Lamarck and unwisely chose an Jrcinia from the Dry Tortugas, Florida, as the neotype of I. fasciculata (Pallas). He also listed an extensive synonymy for the species. It is by no means certain that the West Indian species under consideration has a wider distribution. De Laubenfels’ synonymy certainly requires verification in every case. Vacelet (1959) has already con- served J. oros and I. dendroides Schmidt as distinct species. Lévi (1952, 1959, 1960), Vacelet (1959, 1961) Sara and Siribelli (1960) and Sara (1958b, 1960a, 1961a, 1961b) have used J. fasciculata for Mediterranean and West African sponges which formerly would have been called J. variabilis. The specimens of Vacelet (1959) and Sara (196la) may be conspecific with the West Indian species. Lévi’s Gulf of Guinea sponge, however, differs from the West Indian in conule pattern and color. Ircinia strobilina (Lamarck) de Laubenfels Spongia strobilina Lamarck, 1816, p. 383 [type: locality uncertain; Mus. nat. Hist. nat. Paris]; idem, 1836, p. 573. Hircinia strobilina, de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 18. Ircinia strobilina, de Laubenfels, 1948, p. 71; idem, 1948, p. 71; idem, 1949, p. 6; idem, 1950a, p. 14; tdem, 1953a, p. 514; Sara, 1958a, p. 240 (?); Little, 1963, p. 35. [non] Ircinia strobilina trregularis, de Laubenfels, 1954a, p. 21. Spongia linteiformis var. B Lamarck, 1813, p. 457 (fide Topsent, 1933a.) Hircinia gigantea, Topsent (not Lendenfeld, 1889), 1933a, p. 15. HasitatT. Common on pilings at Port Royal and on corals offshore from the cays. SHAPE. Massive, often lobate or cake-shaped. Many specimens attain a height of 8-10 cm, and a maximum diameter of 4-6 cm. Sponges as large as 2 or 3 feet in diameter were seen in the field. Cotor. The upper and lateral surfaces are gray to black in life and when preserved in alcohol. The basal surfaces and the interior are a dull yellowish-orange. The oscular rims are always dark gray or black. ConsIsTENCy. Tough, compressible. Opvor. Unpleasant, strong. SuRFACE. Coarsely conulose. The thick, blunt, often bifid conules are mostly 3-7 mm high, and 3-8 mm apart. Many of them are joined by high connecting ridges. The conules become lower and less frequent near the base. Fine tracts, visible to the unaided eye, radiate outward from the conules. They are joined by fine connective tracts. The oscules are 2-3 mm, occasionally 5 mm, in diameter. They occur in groups on the apices of the lobes. Ecrosome. A tough detachable skin contains an abundance of filaments, spicule frag- ments and sand. Much of the debris is condensed into spongin-free tracts which are 50- 150 » in diameter. They form the above-mentioned network, with meshes frequently 150-200 », in width. A few dermal pores, 70-150 » in diameter, were noted in the inter- stices. ENpDosoME. Numerous macroscopic canals traverse the interior. The skeleton consists of ascending fascicular columns of spongin fibers. The individual fibers, 30-250 » in diameter, are heavily charged with foreign material. Short intervals of debris-free spongin occur sporadically in the skeleton. In one specimen considerable lengths of fiber have little or no foreign matter. The spongin in such intervals often appears laminated. The fibers never have the fibrillar pith characteristic of the subgenus Sarcotragus as rede- fined by Vacelet (1959). Adjacent fascicles may be more than a millimeter apart. Connec- tive fibers are rarely present. The flesh contains scattered debris and, occasionally, large clumps of foreign material. It is permeated by a thick feltwork of Ircinia filaments which may even form thick bands. The filament strands are 3-5 y, occasionally 7 y, in diameter. The terminal knobs are 7-10 », in diameter. In addition to typical filaments, the skin SYSTEMATICS LT and interior contain slightly thicker knobbed filaments over which small refractile bodies are sparsely to thickly scattered. DistriBuTion. Tropical Atlantic America: Dry Tortugas, Florida—de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 18 (as Hircinia strobilina). West coast, Florida—de Laubenfels, 1953a, p. 514; Little, 1963, p. 35. Bermuda—de Laubenfels, 1950a, p. 14. Bahamas de Laubenfels, 1949, p. 6. Mediterranean: Ligurean Sea—Sara, 1958a, p. 240 (?). Discussion. The Jamaican specimens are similar in appearance to Ircinia strobilina as described by de Laubenfels and photographed by Topsent. Foreign material has been recorded for fibers of J. strobilina by de Laubenfels (1950a). Topsent did not mention foreign matter in his redescription of the type. He considered Lamarck’s sponge to be conspecific with Hircinia gigantea (Lendenfeld), which lacks foreign material. The Jamai- can specimens are certainly conspecific with those of de Laubenfels who also studied the type. It should be noted that the type locality is unknown. Lamarck listed it as doubtfully Mediterranean. Sara (1958a) has reported the species from the Mediterranean, but he may be referring to Jrcinia muscarum (Schmidt). (Cf. Vacelet 1959). De Laubenfels (1948) considered a number of Indo-Pacific species to be conspecific with J. strobilina. New field studies and examination of the types will be needed to establish the synonymies. The Palau Islands specimen recorded as Ircinia strobilina, sub- species irregularis (Poléjaeff) by de Laubenfels (1954a) differs from typical West Indian specimens by its brick red endosome and small conules. Genus OLIGOCERAS Schulze Oligoceras hemorrhages de Laubenfels (Plate I, fig. 5) Oligoceras hemorrhages de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 16 [type: Dry Tortugas, Florida; USNM No. 22484]; idem, 1949, p. 6; idem, 1953b, p. 16; Hartman, 1955, p. 162. Oligoceras collectrix hemorrhages, de Laubenfels, 1948, p. 57. HasitaTt. Common in the turtle grass area near Drunkenman’s Cay. One specimen was dredged from the Pigeon House mussel bank. SHAPE. Small, lobate, spreading masses, usually less than two cm in height. Cotor. The exterior is basically brown, with red, green or purple tinges in some specimens. The interior is drab. In alcohol, the exterior becomes brown, drab, or olive green. The sponge emits a vivid red exudate when handled some time after collection. De Laubenfels has stated that death must occur before the sponge emits the pigment, (1949, 1953b). The red pigment quickly leaches out in alcohol. ConSISTENCY. Spongy, compressible. SuRFACE. The surface is covered with fine conules which are less than a millimeter in height, and only 0.5-3 mm apart. The scattered oscules are 2-4 mm in diameter. EcrosomeE. Little dermal specialization. The thin skin contains a small to considerable quantity of debris. The ostia are 30-40 , in diameter. Both the ectosome and the endo- some are heavily penetrated by blue-green filamentous algae, 5 , in diameter. EnposoME. The skeleton is a very irregular network of spongin-cemented masses of debris. A specimen with much spicular debris has occasional debris-cored spongin fibers 30-70 » in diameter. Such fibers are rarely found in sand-rich specimens. The latter contain clumps of coarse sand which may be as much as 700 yw in diameter. Ascending skeletal columns typically terminate in the conules. Connecting fibers, where evident, contain foreign material. The flagellated chambers are 30-40 y in diameter. DisTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: Dry Tortugas, Florida—de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 16. Yucatan—Hartman, 1955, p. 162. Bahamas—de Laubenfels, 1949, p. 6. Discussion. De Laubenfels (1948) somewhat doubtfully reduced Oligoceras hemor- rhages to a subspecies of Oligoceras collectrix Schulze (1879). Schulze’s Adriatic sponge, however, was black and had sparsely distributed conules. No exudate was reported. The skeleton had an antler-like (hirschgeweihahnlich) mode of branching. The differences warrant the retention of the West Indian sponge as a distinct species. Wilson’s (1902a) Cacospongia spongeliformis of Puerto Rico was transferred to Oligo- 12 A SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF THE DEMOSPONGIAE OF JAMAICA ceras by de Laubenfels (1948). It differs from O. hemorrhages in having an elongate, cylindrical shape. It also has less debris, particularly in the secondary fibers. Genus VERONGIA Bowerbank Verongia fistularis (Pallas) Bowerbank (Plate I, fig. 1) Spongia fistularis Pallas, 1766, p. 385 [type: American seas; repository unknown]; Esper, 1794, p. 228; Lamarck, 1813, p. 435. Fistularia fistularis, Bowerbank, 1841c, p. 32; idem, 1844a, p. 37. (Genus preoccupied, fide Bowerbank, 1845.) Verongia fistularis, Bowerbank, 1845, p. 403; idem, 1864, p. 209; Hyatt, 1875, p. 402; Poléjaeff, 1884a, p. 70; de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 21; idem, 1948, p. 82; idem, 1949, p. 6; idem, 1950a, p. 17; idem, 1953a, p. 515; idem, 1956, p. 2. Luffaria fistularis, Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 60. Aplysina fistularis, Lendenfeld, 1889, p. 422; Verrill, 1907, p. 332; Topsent, 1932, p. 71, 72. Spongia tubaeformis Lamarck, 1813, p. 435 (fide Topsent, 1932.) Verongia tenuissima Hyatt, 1875, p. 403 (fide de Laubenfels, 1948); Poléjaeff, 1884a, p. 71. Verongia hirsuta var. fistularoides Hyatt, 1875, p. 403 (fide de Laubenfels, 1948.) Aplysina hirsuta, Wilson, 1902a, p. 409. Hasirat. Most of the observed specimens were growing on coral heads in 10-15 feet of water near the cays. A few specimens were found on pilings at Port Royal. SHAPE. Thick-walled, nearly cylindrical tubes of rather uniform diameter. Colonies of several basally-united tubes occur. Many specimens are 10-30 cm in height. The walls may be considerably more than a centimeter in thickness, particularly near the base of the sponge. Cotor. The living sponge is a bright yellow and sometimes has mustard or greenish tinges. When removed from the water the sponge soon becomes reddish and then pro- gressively darker in color. It eventually becomes a very dark brown or black. ConsIsTENcy. Toughly spongy in life, becoming stiff after death. SurFACE. The outer surface is finely conulose. The conules are usually under a milli- meter in height and several millimeters apart. Many of the conules are connected to adjacent ones by low ridges. The resultant interconular depressions are shallow and inconspicuous in life and when preserved in alcohol. Dried specimens come to have a honeycombed surface with prominent saucer-shaped depressions. The wide-mouthed cloacal openings are typically several centimeters in diameter. Immediately inside the rim is a very narrow, membranous ridge. The lining of the cloacal cavity ranges from smooth to wrinkled, or even finely conulose. The cavity narrows toward the base of the sponge. A few small openings, 1 mm in diameter or less, occur on the cloacal and also the outer surface. EctosoMeE. A densely pigmented skin covers both the outer and cloacal surfaces of the sponge. No microscopic openings could be found in strips of the cloacal surface. The outer surface is pierced by numerous, scattered dermal pores. Typical ostial sizes are 125¢ AS 8 TK DSvand 1Ol aie in: EnposoME. The skeleton is a coarse, irregular network of fibers, 70-175 y in diameter. The fibers are amber, pithed and stratified. The pith typically occupies slightly more than 14 of the fiber. The pith can undergo considerable variation in diameter along a fiber. Parallel fibers are 100 y-1 mm apart. DisTRiBuTION. Tropical Atlantic America—America: Lamarck, 1813, p. 435 (as Spongia fistularis); 1813, p. 435 (as Spongia tubaeformis). Florida—Hyatt, 1875, p. 402; 1875, p. 403 (as Verongia tenuissima). West coast, Florida—de Laubenfels, 1953a, p. 515. South America—Esper, 1794, p. 228 (as Spongia fistularis). Brazil—Poléjaeff, 1884a, p. 71 (as Verongia tenutissima) (?); de Laubenfels, 1956, p. 2. Bermuda—Bowerbank, 1845, p. 403; Hyatt, 1875, p. 402; Verrill, 1907, p. 332 (as Aplysina fistularis); de Laubenfels, 1950a, p- 17. Bahamas—Hyatt, 1875, p. 402; de Laubenfels, 1949, p. 6. Cuba—Hyatt, 1875, p. 403 (as Verongia hirsuta fistularoides). Puerto Rico—Wilson, 1902a, p. 409 (as Aplysina hirsuta). Guadeloupe—Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 60 (as Luffaria fistularis). SYSTEMATICS 13 Discussion. Verongia fistularis is a West Indian tubular species which undergoes a marked color change with death. The large dimensions of the tubes suggest that the slender, solid West Indian specimens of Verongia are not conspecific with fistularis. De Laubenfels (1948) has placed Luffaria sebae Duchassaing and Michelotti (1864, p. 59), and Aplysina praetexta Hyatt (1875, p. 405) into synonymy with Verongia fistu- laris. The first, to judge from the original description, is more likely to be V. lacunosa. The second was very inadequately described and apparently had a cup-like shape. Hyatt’s Verongia hirsuta included both solid and tubular sponges with a rough, probably macer- ated surface. Aplysina fenestrata, also listed as a synonym of V. fistularis by de Lauben- fels, is clearly congeneric with it, but not conspecific. As described by both Carter (1882) and Wilson (1902a), the internal skeleton has a peculiar honeycombed architecture. Verongia longissima (Carter) de Laubenfels Aplysina longissima Carter, 1882, p. 271 [type: Nassau, Bahamas; Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.)] Verongia longissima, de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 21, 23; idem, 1948, p. 85; idem, 1953a, p. 515; tdem, 1956, p. 2, 3; Little, 1963, p. 35. Aplysina flagelliformis, Lendenfeld (not Carter, 1886), 1889, p. 412 [partim]; Wilson, 1902a, p. 406 (including var. rugosa, p. 407.) HasiraT. The first specimen was collected by Dr. T. F. Goreau of the University of the West Indies in 20 feet of water offshore from Port Royal. He found a second speci- men in shallow water at a point eleven miles east of Kingston in St. Thomas parish. SuareE. The first (i.e. Port Royal) sponge is a solid cylinder 20 cm in length and about 1 cm in diameter. It arises from a basal crust which has an area of several square centi- meters. The second specimen is a cluster of erect, anastomosing branches with a maxi- mum height of 18 cm. Cotor. When received, the first specimen was reddish in color; the second had a yellowish to reddish coloration. The Port Royal sponge is grayish-brown in alcohol. The second specimen, which is dry, is now a dark reddish-brown. ConsisTENcY. Both sponges were tough and stiff when received. SurFACE. Finely conulose. The conules are seldom 1 mm and often only 100-300 » in height. Adjacent conules are usually 1 mm apart and are often connected by low ridges. The skeleton of the dried, partially macerated St. Thomas sponge projects above the flesh over much of the surface. The oscules are 1-2 mm in diameter. They are scattered irregularly on the first and partly arranged in linear rows in the second example. Some oscules are in depression in the latter sponge. The depressions often have conules on their walls and probably resulted from drying. EcrosomeE. A thin outer skin is present in both examples. Dermal pores are scattered over the surface at intervals of about 75 py. Typical ostial sizes are 58 x 43, 87 xX 65, 116 x 58, and 145 x 58 y. Spongin fibers occasionally run parallel to and just beneath the surface in the interconular ridges. EnposoME. In both examples, the skeleton is a coarse-meshed reticulation of stratified, amber, pithed spongin fibers. Fiber diameter ranges between 40-115 y. Parallel fibers are 300 , to 1 mm apart. The finely granular pith usually occupies 14 to 14 of the diameter. DistriBuTION. Tropical Atlantic America: Dry Tortugas, Florida—de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 21, 23. West coast, Florida—de Laubenfels, 1953a, p. 515; Little, 1963, p. 35. Brazil—de Laubenfels, 1956, p. 2, 3. Bahamas—Carter, 1882, p. 271 (as Aplysina longis- sima). Jamaica—Lendenfeld, 1889, p. 412, partim (?). Puerto Rico—Wilson, 1902a, p. 406 (as Aplysina flagelliformis and A. flagelliformis var. rugosa). Discussion. The Jamaican specimens are similar in color and consistency to Aplysina longissima Carter. The peculiar star-like surface knots of Carter’s sponge are not present. They may have been the result of maceration. My specimens are almost certainly conspe- cific with Verongia longissima as understood by de Laubenfels (1936a, 1948). He stressed particularly the relative lack of color change in the species. The sponge is described as yellow in life, carmine soon after collection, and dull gray in alcohol. My specimen when received may have already begun to alter in color. Carter described three species, under as many generic names, which are closely related 14 A SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF THE DEMOSPONGIAE OF JAMAICA to, if not conspecific with, V. longissima. The first, Aplysina cauliformis Carter (1882, p. 270), of the Bahamas, is a solid cylindrical sponge which differs from V. longissima only in having “flaccid” spongin fibers and “‘subpenicillate” rather than star-like surface fiber knots. De Laubenfels (1948, p. 87) considered A. cauliformis to be a synonym of Verongia aurea. The pinkish-brown color reported by Carter is certainly inconsistent with de Lau- benfels’ statement (1948, p. 85) that awrea “has to an even greater extent than fistularis the property of changing color upon death.” Aplysina cauliformis is more likely to be conspecific with V. longissima. It would, in that case, take precedence over the latter name. Until the types can be re-examined, it is certainly convenient to retain the name V. longissima for the sponges reported by de Laubenfels from several localities. We can provisionally characterize the Aplysina cauliformis of Carter by its flaccid skeleton. Luffaria cauliformis Carter (1882, p. 268) of Antigua and Nassau was described as a typically black, stiff, cylindrical sponge, containing stiff, fragile fibers. Carter reported that Luffaria cauliformis and Aplysina cauliformis often grew in “conjunction” at Nassau. The pale varieties of L. cauliformis are very similar in external appearance to A. cauli- formis. The distinction between Luffaria and Aplysina as understood by Carter was based largely on the presence of a continuous pith in the former and a supposedly discontinu- ous pith in the latter genus (cf. Carter, 1875). We can distinguish Verongia longissima from Luffaria cauliformis on the basis of the black color reported for the dried typical variety of the latter species. A dried, black Verongia had very probably undergone con- siderable color change after death. Hircinia flagelliformis Carter (1886a, p. 372) of southern Australia is also similar in form to V. longissima. Carter himself considered it “just possible that the two are the same.” (p. 373.) Lendenfeld, who examined the type of flagelliformis, concluded that the Australian sponge was indeed conspecific with Carter’s earlier species. He retained the later-published name in violation of the rules of priority. Lendenfeld also assigned a Jamaican sponge in the collections of the British Museum to Aplysina flagelliformis (Carter). De Laubenfels (1948, p. 87) considered Hircinia flagelliformis Carter to be unrecognizable. He (p. 86) curiously included Lendenfeld’s Australian record, based on Carter’s sponge, in the distribution of V. longissima. Two factors weigh against the acceptance of the conspecificity of V. longissima and the Australian species. The geo- graphical gap is wide, and the fibers may differ in structure. Carter described Hircinia flagelliformis as containing sand-cored primary and transparent lateral fibers. The Hirciniosa of his classification (1875, p. 136) were characterized by just such a distinc- tion between the fibers. Lendenfeld neither mentioned nor denied the existence of two types of fibers. FAMILY DYSIDEIDAE Gray, sensu de Laubenfels, 1948 Genus DYSIDEA Johnston Dysidea fragilis (Montagu) Johnston Spongia fragilis Montagu, 1818, p. 114 [type: Devon, England; Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) (?)]. Duseideia fragilis, Johnston, 1842, p. 187 (corrected to Dysidea on p. 251.); Burton, 1932, Psat. Dysidea fragilis, Johnston, 1842, p. 251; Bowerbank, 1864, p. 211; idem, 1866, p. 381; idem, 1874, p. 175; idem, 1882, p. 188; Hyatt, 1875, p. 545; Carter, 1876, p. 232; Burton, 1934, p. 583; idem, 1936a, p. 26; idem, 1937, p. 41; idem, 1956, p 137; idem, 1959b, p. 51; de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 27; idem, 1948, p. 137; idem, 1950a, p. 22; idem, 1950b, p. 9; idem, 1951b, p. 213; idem, 1953a, p. 515; idem, 1954a, p. 35; idem, 1955, p. 138; Rao, 1941, p- 463; Alander, 1942, p. 17; Arndt, 1943; p: 343; Sara, 1958a, p. 241; idem, 1958b, p. 274; idem, 1960a, p. 468; idem, 1960b, p. 263; Sara and Siribelli, 1960, p. 87; Sara, 1961b, p. 15; Lévi, 1959, p. 138; Vacelet, 1959, p. 67; idem, 1960, p. 270; idem, 1961, p. 43; Wells et al., 1960, p. 206; Bergquist, 1961, pe Zul Spongelia fragilis, Schmidt, 1870, p. 27; Lendenfeld, 1889, p. 660 [partim]; Topsent, 1891, p- 533; rdem, 1891c, p. 127; tdem, 1892, p. 134; idem, 1894, p. 43; idem, 1896, p. 123; SYSTEMATICS 15 idem, 1897, p. 482; idem, 1902b, p. 329; tdem, 1925b, p. 452; Topsent and Olivier, 1943, p. 6; Dendy, 1905, p. 208; idem, 1916a, p. 139; Verrill, 1907, p. 332; Stephens, 1912)p: 39; adem, 1917, .p. 14; Hentschel, 1912p: 447; idem, 1929, p. 994; Hernandez, 1916, p. 38; idem, 1917, p. 32; Wilson, 1925, p. 476 (var. fasciculata); Burton, 1933, p. 242; Bréndsted, 1934, p. 25. Halichondria areolata Johnston, 1842, p. 121 (fide Bowerbank, 1866.) Spongelia incrustans Schmidt, 1862, p. 29 (fide Schmidt, 1864, and Burton, 1934.) Spongelia pallescens Schmidt, 1862, p. 30 (fide Burton, 1934); idem, 1864, p. 28; idem, 1870, p. 27; Carter, 1876, p. 232; Schulze, 1878a, p. 150, 154; Poléjaeff, 1884, p. 42; Wilson, 1902a, p. 410; Topsent, 1891b, p. 13; idem, 1925a, p. 715. [non] Spongelia pallescens, de Laubenfels, 1935b, p. 327 (fide de Laubenfels, 1950b.) Dysidea coriacea Bowerbank, 1874, p. 175 (fide Stephens, 1912, and Burton, 1934); idem, 1882, p. 188. Spongelia elastica var. massa and var. lobata Lendenfeld, 1889, p. 658. Spongelia elastica var. lobosa Dendy, 1905, p. 208. Hasirat. Common on pilings and mangrove roots at Port Royal. Also found in off- shore turtle grass beds. SHAPE. Incrusting to massive or lobate. Many specimens are fist-sized. Cotor. Living specimens vary in color from a dull gray to a gray-blue or a pale pur- ple. In alcohol the sponges become drab, with purplish specimens retaining tinges of that color. ConsIsTENCY. Soft, compressible. SurFACE. Finely conulose. The conules are 0.5 to 1 mm in height and 1-2 mm apart. A delicate, nearly transparent skin covers the surface. It is pierced by oscules which are usually 2-3 mm in diameter. In life, the oscules are often rimmed by transparent collars several millimeters in height. Ectosome. A detachable skin contains a small amount of foreign matter. The dermal pores are 20-40 in diameter. Groups of 6-12 ostia are separated by dense bands of flesh which are 20-35 », in diameter. EnposomE. The skeletal fibers form a very irregular reticulation. In the interior, paral- lel fibers may be as much as one millimeter apart. Considerable amounts of debris, including large clumps, may be present in the flesh, Larger fibers, particularly in a sand- rich specimen, are columns of debris cemented by spongin. Smaller fibers, 30-150 y, in diameter, are composed of spongin which is lightly to heavily cored with foreign material. The quantity of sand or spicule fragments present in the sponge probably depends on the available material. The sandiest specimen was growing in a sandy turtle grass area at Drunkenman’s Cay. Specimens collected from pilings and mangrove roots contain largely spicular debris. The interior contains numerous, narrow, elongate flagellated chambers. Typical sizes are 58 x 29, 65 x 50, and 87 x 72 y,. Large embryos are present in specimens collected in September and December. DisTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: North Carolina—Wells et al., 1960, p. 206. Florida—Schmidt, 1870, p. 27 (as Spongelia pallescens); Hyatt, 1875, p. 545. Dry Tortu- gas, Florida—de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 27. West coast, Florida—de Laubenfels, 1953a, p. 515. Brazil—Poléjaeff, 1884, p. 42 (as Spongelia pallescens); Lendenfeld, 1889, p. 660 (as Spongelia fragilis). Bermuda—Verrill, 1907, p. 332 (as Spongelia fragilis); de Lauben- fels, 1950a, p. 22. Antilles—Schmidt, 1870, p. 27 (as Spongelia pallescens). Puerto Rico— Wilson, 1902a, p. 410 (as Spongelia pallescens). European Boreal Atlantic—North Atlantic: Carter, 1876, p. 232; Topsent, 1892, p. 134 (as Spongelia fragilis). Iceland—Schmidt, 1870, p. 27 (as Spongelia pallescens); Carter, 1876, p. 232 (as Spongelia pallescens); Burton, 1959b, p. 51. Ireland—Stephens, 1912, p. 39 (as Spongelia fragilis); 1917, p. 14 (as Spongelia fragilis). Britain—Montagu, 1818, p. 114 (as Spongia fragilis); Johnston, 1842, p. 187 (as Duseideia) and p. 251 (as Dysidea); Johnston, 1842, p. 121 (as Halichondria areolata); Bowerbank, 1864, p. 211; 1866, p. 381; 1874, p. 175; 1882, p. 188; Bowerbank, 1874, p. 175, (as Dysidea coriacea); 1882, p. 188 (as Dystdea coriacea). Sweden—Alander, 1942, p. 17. Germany—Arndt, 1943, p. 343. Roscoff, France—Topsent, 1891, p. 533, (as Spongelia fragilis). Atlantic coast, 16 A SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF THE DEMOSPONGIAE OF JAMAICA France—Topsent, 1891c, p. 127 (as Spongelia fragilis). Atlantic coast, Spain—Hernandez, 1917, p. 32 (as Spongelia fragilis). Mediterranean—Atlantic—Mediterranean coast: Spain—Hernandez, 1916, p. 38 (as Spongelia fragilis). Mediterranean coast, France—Topsent, 1896, p. 123 (as Spongelia fragilis); 1925b, p. 17 (as Spongelia fragilis); Topsent and Olivier, 1943, p. 6 (as Spongelia fragilis); Vacelet, 1959, p. 67; 1960, p. 270. Ligurean Sea, Italy—Sara, 1958a, p. 241. Naples, Italy—Topsent, 1925a, p. 715 (as Spongelia pallescens); Sara, 1958b, p. 274; 1960a, p. 468; 1960b, p. 263; 1961b, p. 15; Sara and Siribelli, 1960, p. 87. Adriatic— Schmidt, 1862, p. 29 (as Spongelia incrustans); 1862, p. 30 (as Spongelia pallescens); Schulze, 1878a, p. 150, 154 (as Spongelia pallescens). Corsica—Vacelet, 1961, p. 43. Mediterranean coast, Egypt, Burton, 1936a, p. 26. Tunisia—Topsent, 1894a, p. 43 (as Spongelia fragilis). Algeria—Topsent, 1902b, p. 328 (as Spongelia fragilis). Black Sea— de Laubenfels, 1951b, p. 213. Tropical West Africa—Topsent, 1891b, p. 13 (as Spongelia pallescens); Burton, 1956, p. 137; Lévi, 1959, p. 138. South Atlantic: Ascension Island—Burton, 1932, p. 341 (as Dusetdeia fragilis). South Africa—Burton, 1933, p. 242 (as Spongelia fragilis), Indian Ocean—Zanzibar, East Africa—Hyatt, 1875, p. 545; Burton, 1959a, p. 272. South Arabian coast—Burton, 1959a, p. 272. Mauritius—Lendenfeld, 1889, p. 660 (as Spongelia fragilis). Okhamandal, India—Dendy, 1916a, p. 139 (as Spongelia fragilis). Madras, India—Burton, 1937, p. 41. Ceylon—Dendy, 1905, p. 208 (as Spongelia fragilis); 1905, p. 208 (as Spongelia elastica var. lobosa); Rao, 1941, p. 463. Indo-Malaya—Malaya—Rao, 1941, p. 463. Straits of Malacca—Lendenfeld, 1889, p. 658 (as Spongelia elastica varieties massa and lobata). East Indies—Topsent, 1897, p. 482 (as Spongelia fragilis); Hentschel, 1912, p. 447 (as Spongelia fragilis); Bréndsted, 1934, p. 25 (as Spongelia fragilis). Australia—Lendenfeld, 1889, p. 660 (as Spongelia fragilis); 1889, p. 658 (as Spongelia elastica, varieties massa and lobata). Great Barrier Reef—Burton, 1934, p. 583. Chatham Islands—Bergquist, 1961, p. 211. West Central Pacific—de Laubenfels, 1954a, p. 35; 1955, p. 138. Discussion. The circumtropical Dysidea fragilis extends into cold temperate and even sub-Arctic waters in the northeastern Atlantic. Although it seems unlikely that all of the populations are conspecific, present evidence does not permit a division into species or subspecies. The extensive synonymies of Burton (1934) and de Laubenfels (1948) require verification. Bowerbank (1866) and Burton (1934) have discussed intraspecific variation in Dysidea fragilis. De Laubenfels (1936a) described Dysidea etheria from the West Indies. It differs from the Jamaican sponge in having a brilliant sky-blue color and a coarser surface. Its pri- mary and secondary fibers enclosed different types of foreign matter. Genus IANTHELLA Gray Tanthella ardis de Laubenfels Ianthella ardis de Laubenfels, 1950a, p. 31 [type: Bermuda; Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) reg. no. 1950.5.23.1]; idem, 1953a, p. 516; Little, 1963, p. 36. Ianthella basta, de Laubenfels (not Pallas, 1766), 1936a, p. 31 (fide de Laubenfels, 1950a). Hasirat. A single specimen was collected by Dr. T. F. Goreau of the University of the West Indies, in shallow water, eleven miles east of Kingston (in St. Thomas parish). SHAPE. Massive, attaining a maximum thickness of 5 cm. Cotor. The sponge had a bluish-purple exterior, and a yellowish interior when re- ceived on shore. In alcohol, the entire specimen is purplish-black, the exterior being darkest in color. Consistency. The sponge is stiff and exhibits little compressibility. When cut, it has the consistency of cheese. SuRFACE. Smooth to the touch, but uneven. Low, blunt conules, 1-3 mm in height, are scattered over the surface. They are joined to each other by flattened ridges and raised SYSTEMATICS '7/ plateaux. The resultant depressions may be areas up to 5 mm in diameter, or merely narrow furrows. The sparsely distributed oscules are 2-3 mm in diameter. EctosomeE. The detachable skin is strongly pigmented. It is pierced by dermal pores, that vary in size from 40 x 30 to 90 x 40 yw. Groups of 5-10 ostia are located in irregu- larly polygonal areas, 150-220 » in maximum width. They are separated by broad dense bands of flesh. EnposomE. The interior is traversed by canals which often reach a centimeter in diam- eter. The skeleton is coarse-meshed and irregular. Adjacent fibers are usually several millimeters apart. They branch acutely and occasionally anastomose. The spongin fibers are yellow, laminated and pithed. Fiber diameter varies between 300-600 y,, with the pith accounting for 35-90 per cent of the total. The amount of pith is not constant even for fibers of similar diameter. The pith contains a granular material and also small cells, 7-10 in diameter, of unknown function. Debris, largely in the form of coarse sand grains, is sparingly distributed in the flesh, but is absent from the fibers. DisTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America: Dry Tortugas, Florida—de Laubenfels, 1936a, p. 31 (as Ianthella basta). West coast, Florida—de Laubenfels, 1953a, p. 516; Little, 1963, p. 36. Bermuda—de Laubenfels, 1950a, p. 31. Discussion. De Laubenfels has recorded the color in life as yellow, yellow-green or grass-green. He has noted a change to blue and then to purple after death. My specimen had apparently begun such a transformation. Janthella ianthella de Laubenfels, 1949, another West Indian representative of the genus, differs from the present species by its carmine red color in life, more dendritic skeleton, peculiarly knobbed conules and much more delicate fibers. SUBORDER Dendroceratina Minchin, 1900 Famity APLYSILLIDAE Vosmaer, sensu de Laubenfels, 1948 Genus DARWINELLA Miller Darwinella rosacea n. sp. Hototype. YPM 5032. Mangrove boat channel, July 13, 1961. HasiratT. The sponge is common on mangrove roots and shells. SHAPE. A small thin crust, seldom exceeding 0.5 mm in thickness. Most specimens are only 1-2 square cm in area. Cotor. The living sponge is pink. In alcohol, it becomes pinkish-brown or beige. ConsIsTENCcY. Soft. SurFACE. Conulose. The slender conules rise about 0.5 mm above the surrounding surface. They are one to several millimeters apart. No oscular openings were seen. A network of bands, visible under a magnification of 20x, radiates outward from the conules. EcrosoME. A delicate detachable dermal membrane is present. The dermal pores are 20-30 » in diameter. They are typically located in groups of 6 to 12. The partitions between adjacent pores are 7-15 y in diameter. The previously mentioned surface bands, 30 » in diameter, enclose the pore groups. EnposoME. The spongin fibers run obliquely from their basal expansions up to the conules, The fibers branch infrequently and never anastomose with adjacent parts of the skeleton. They are 40-100 , in diameter just above the base, and gradually diminish in size toward their distal end. The fibers consist of a longitudinally striated cortex and a central pith. The latter usually occupies somewhat more than one half of the total fiber diameter. At irregular intervals, the pith is crossed by transverse, distally convex lines. The spongin spicules are triactinal, with sharp-pointed rays. They lie free in the flesh, near the base of the sponge. The rays are only 130-276 » in length. Their basal diameter ranges between 10-17 ».. The rays may be nearly straight, with slightly irregular outlines, or bent near their proximal or distal ends. Much of the interior is occupied by closely packed, sac-like flagellated chambers. Typical sizes include 87 x 43, 94 x 72, and 108 xX 87 u. Specimens collected in May, July and August contain embryos near the substratum. 18 A SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF THE DEMOSPONGIAE OF JAMAICA Discussion. Two species of Darwinella have been reported from Tropical Atlantic America. Darwinella joyeuxi Topsent, 1889, is a cylindrical sponge with long-rayed spicules. D. miilleri (M. Schultze) Miiller is a yellow sponge with multi-rayed spicules. The Darwinella miilleri recorded by de Laubenfels (1950a) from Bermuda is a large ramose sponge with long-rayed triactinal spicules. It is certainly conspecific with neither the Jamaican sponge nor the D. miillert of Miller and Schulze. The Jamaican sponge is most similar to D. intermedia Topsent (1894e) of France. Topsent’s species differs in having a yellow color and spicules with markedly flexuous rays of a rather uniform small size (100-150 ,). Taking the differences and wide geo- graphical gap into consideration, the Jamaican sponge is unlikely to be conspecific with D. intermedia. OrvER HAPLOSCLERIDA Topsent 1928 Famity HALICLONIDAE de Laubenfels 1932b Genus HALICLONA Grant Haliclona doria de Laubenfels (Plate I, fig. 4) Haliclona doria de Laubenfels, 1936b, p. 458 [type: Fort Randolph, Panama; USNM no. 22245.] Hasirat. Several specimens were collected at Gun Cay. The species was very abundant in the shallow water turtle grass bed at the Port Royal end of the Port Royal-Kingston mangrove boat channel. SHAPE. A typical specimen is a complex of repent, anastomosing, cylindrical to ovoid branches which are 1-1.5 cm in diameter. A colony may extend over several feet of turtle grass. Gun Cay specimens are thicker, with branches often several centimeters in diameter. Cotor. In life, the upper surfaces are brownish-yellow to dark brown with a purplish tinge. Under-surfaces are light brown to cream. The interior is yellowish. In alcohol, the specimens are drab. ConsIsTENcy. Stiff, easily broken into pieces. SurFACE. Even. The scattered oscules, 1-4 mm in diameter, often have low rims. Ectosome. No dermal specialization. The vertical bundles of the interior merely come to an end, forming a microhispid surface. EnposoMeE. The skeleton is a rather symmetrical framework of spicule tracts. The meshes are square to rectangular, with a maximum width of 70-240 y. The bundles are loosely organized, 30-60 », in diameter, and occasionally bound at nodes by small amounts of spongin. In addition, many spicules are scattered in the flesh. SpICcULEs. Oxeas, stout, straight to slightly curved, typically hastate, with the points beginning at about 1 1/2 diameters from the end, 140-188 x 3-12 y. Individual analyses, lengths in microns, 50 spicules each: 140-176; 152-174; 140-176; 152-188; 140-176; 140-176. DisTRIBUTION. Tropical Atlantic America; Atlantic coast of Panama—de Laubenfels, 1936b, p. 458. Discussion. The dark brown color and pasteboard consistency of Haliclona doria is unusual for the genus. H. longleyi de Laubenfels, 1932a, of the West Indies does resemble H. doria in shape and consistency. It differs in having a yellowish-green color in life. Its spicules are more fusiform and less robust than those of H. doria. The Gun Cay speci- mens are identical in structure and spiculation with the inshore specimens. They have, however, a coarsely porous surface and thicker, more irregularly shaped branches. They are therefore only provisionally considered as conspecific with Haliclona doria. Haliclona rubens (Pallas) de Laubenfels Spongia rubens Pallas, 1766, p. 389 [type: American seas; repository unknown]; Duchassa- ing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 41. Pachychalina rubens, Schmidt, 1870, p. 37; Wilson, 1902a, p. 392. Chalina rubens, Carter, 1882, p. 276 [partim.] SYSTEMATICS 19 Haliclona rubens, de Laubenfels, 1932a, p. 59; idem, 1936a, p. 40; idem, 1949, p. 9; idem, 1953a, p. 519; Burton, 1954, p. 223; Hartman, 1955, p. 167; Little, 1963, p. 39. Amphimedon arborescens Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 79 (fide Wilson, 1902a.) HasiratT. ‘The species is common on coral outcroppings near the cays. SHAPE. Some specimens are irregularly massive but most are ramose. In the latter case, the erect branches may reach a height of more than one foot and a diameter of 1-2 cm. Cotor. A very constant dark red which becomes somewhat darker in preserved and dried specimens. CoNsIsTENCY. Spongy, compressible. SurFACE. Even, punctiform. The scattered oscules are 2-5 mm in diameter. EctosomMeE. No dermal specialization. EnposomE. The skeleton is an irregular network of fibers and tracts, typically with rounded meshes. Numerous interstitial spicules are present. Spongin varies in amount within the skeleton of an individual. Many fibers of 30-45 , diameter seem to lack it entirely. In adjacent parts of the skeleton spongin may form either a cementing layer or the greater part of the fiber. In the latter case, the fibers contain a multispicular core and may reach 70-90 », in total diameter. SPICULES. Oxeas, blunt to hastate, mostly curved, 117-163 x 3-8 y. As noted by Hart- man (1955), many of the blunt spicules are actually styles or strongyles. Their frequency varies in different specimens. In one specimen, nearly 20 per cent of the spicules are strongyles, Some strongyles have irregular lumps in mid-shaft. Individual analyses, oxeas, lengths in microns, 50 spicules each: 117-146; 117-140; 123-163; 117-146. DistripuTion. ‘Tropical Atlantic America: American Seas—Pallas, 1776, p. 389 (as Spongia rubens); Florida—Schmidt, 1870, p. 37 (as Pachychalina rubens); Dry Tortugas, Florida—de Laubenfels 1932a, p. 59 and 1936a, p. 40; West Coast, Florida—de Lau- benfels, 1953a, p. 519; West Coast, Florida—Little, 1963, p. 39; Yucatan—Hartman, 1955, p. 167; Bahamas—Carter, 1882, p. 276 (as Chalina rubens), de Laubenfels, 1949, p. 9; Cuba—Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 41 (as Spongia rubens); Puerto Rico— Wilson, 1902a, p. 392 (as Pachychalina rubens); Gorda Cay, Mosquito Bank, West Indies —Burton, 1954, p. 223. Lesser Antilles—Viecques, St. Thomas, Guadeloupe, Dominican Republic—Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 41 (as Spongia rubens); St. Thomas, Tortole (?), St. Barthélemy—Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, p. 79 (as Amphimedon arborescens); Antilles—Schmidt, 1870, p- 37, (as Pachychalina rubens); Australia—South Australia—Carter, 1882, p. 276 (as Chalina rubens)? Discussion. The species is attributed to Pallas whose red ramose sponge came from American Seas. De Laubenfels (1936a) has verified Duchassaing and Michelotti’s record of H. rubens from their specimens. The type of their red Amphimedon arborescens had apparently been lost. Cacochalina rubiginosa Schmidt (1870, p. 73) may be another synonym of H. rubens. Carter’s Australian record, based on a light yellow sponge, is almost certainly erroneous. Haliclona erina de Laubenfels (Plate I, figs. 2, 3) Haliclona erina de Laubenfels, 1936b, p. 457 [type: Fort Randolph, Panama; USNM no. 22245]; idem, 1956, p. 3. [non] Haliclona erina, Burton, 1954, p. 223. HasitTaT. Common in the turtle grass bed near Port Royal. It also occurs in the mangrove boat channel. Some of the mangrove specimens were growing over specimens of Geodia. SHAPE. A thickly encrusting to massive base, with volcano-shaped oscular projections. The sponge may also be somewhat ramose. Cotor. A dull dark green in life. The color is similar in specimens growing under 20 A SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF THE DEMOSPONGIAE OF JAMAICA shaded and well-lit conditions. Preserved specimens become pale drab or dull yellowish- een. i ConsIsTENcyY. Firm. The sponge is very easily crumbled. SuRFACE, Even, punctiform and smooth to the touch. The oscules are 3-4 mm in diameter. Most of the vents are apically placed on volcanic projections, 1-6 cm in height. The thick-walled projections enclose axial cloacal cavities which may be several centi- meters long. EctrosomE. No skeletal specialization. The scattered dermal pores are 30-60 » in maximum diameter. They pierce an aspiculous dermal membrane. ENposoME. Microcavernous. The skeleton is a spicular network with some spongin at the nodes. The network is composed of single spicules and ill-defined tracts with several rows of spicules. The meshes are typically 3-4 sided, with parallel sides 70-150 p apart. Radial and connective bundles are well developed near the periphery, becoming as much as 90 », in diameter. The tracts often project slightly beyond the fleshy surface. SpicuLEs. Robust oxeas, slightly curved to straight, 135-188 x 5-12 pw. A few long oxeas, apparently proper, are 200-270 » in length. The spicules narrow near the ends but are seldom strongly hastate. Mucronate spicules also occur. ‘The developmental stages are thin and fusiform. A few styles, strongyles and centrotylote strongyles are present. Individual analyses, lengths in microns, 50 spicules each: 152-198; 163-188; 152-188; 141- 176; 141-182; 135-182. DistRipuTION. Tropical Atlantic America: Atlantic coast of Panama—de Laubenfels, 1936b, p. 457; Brazil—de Laubenfels, 1956, p. 3. American Atlantic Boreal: Newfound- land—Burton, 1954, p. 223? Discussion. ‘Two species of green haliclonids occur in the West Indies. Haliclona viridis (Duchassaing and Michelotti) de Laubenfels is said to have a limp, soft consistency in life. Most of the reported specimens have spicules which are much less robust than those of my specimens. The North Carolina example of H. viridis reported by Wells et al. does have robust spicules. It differs in color and consistency from the Jamaican sponge. A spicule slide prepared from de Laubenfels’ Bahaman specimen at the American Museum of Natural History contains only thin fusiform oxeas. A sample of 50 spicules varied in length between 130-152 y. The diameter was only 2-3 y. A Bermudan specimen in the Yale Peabody Museum, identified by de Laubenfels, has oxeas, 123-145 x 2-3 w (25 spicules). De Laubenfels emphasized a brilliant green color and wide range of spicule size in his brief description of Haliclona erina. Oscular position was not described. Except for a less brilliant color, the Jamaican sponges are similar to H. erina and are provisionally considered to be conspecific with it. Burton’s Newfoundland record is questionable in view of the locality and the inade- quacy of the original description. Haliclona hogarthi n. sp. (Text-fig. 1; Plate II, fig. 1) , A ‘ . ‘ s ‘ my 4 ‘ ‘ B : . . . A a ay 1 ‘ ‘ . ; ; Pan ‘ Pi , ‘ . i “ . ‘ : “ ' ne t “7 Oe ectate rns ' ss tata ar riya ‘ ; ' ' s A : ‘ eh " ‘ ye, ‘ : Sov. ' i . 1 m . gt : i : ' a ; u ee 7 : ot m ’ oa ay : ' ‘ i aes : : owe uy f . i ‘ ( 4 ‘ ‘ 4 in ' ape : ’ : ao thew ad : ; ‘ . ae : psd ratty ie . " Lio? ' ' ' ' vet Mbps aah ims ‘ ‘ ‘ we " 1 r . ’ yea’