Article contents
Taxonomic revision of Brazilian Tethya (Porifera: Hadromerida) with description of four new species
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 February 2011
Abstract
The taxonomy of the genus Tethya from Brazil is revised. Five species are described, four of which are new to science: Tethya maza, T. beatrizae sp. nov., T. nicoleae sp. nov., T. parvula sp. nov., and T. solangeae sp. nov. Five earlier records of Tethya from Brazil (T. aurantium, T. diploderma, T. maza, T. japonica and T. seychellensis) are re-evaluated and only T. maza is confirmed. The other previous records of Tethya from Brazil, viz., Tethya brasiliana, T. cyanae, T. ignis and T. rubra, have been recently described in detail using scanning electron microscopy and are also considered valid. An amendment to the nomenclature of micrasters is made, recognizing at least two different morphologies of each type of micraster (strongylasters types 1 and 2, tylasters types 1 and 2, and oxyasters types 1, 2 and 3). A neotype was designated for T. maza. With four new species described here and four previous records considered invalid the known diversity of Tethya in Brazil still remains nine species. However, its rate of endemism has increased from 44% to 89%.
- Type
- Research Article
- Information
- Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 91 , Issue 7 , November 2011 , pp. 1511 - 1528
- Copyright
- Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2011
References
REFERENCES
- 3
- Cited by