Biogeochemical and oceanographic conditions provide insights about current status of an Antarctic fjord affected by relatively slow glacial retreat.

Understand the origin, transport, and character of organic matter entering Antarctic fjords is essential as they are major components of the global carbon cycle and budget. Macromolecular pools of particulate organic matter, bulk organic geochemistry, major and trace elements in surface sediments from Collins Bay were analysed as source indicators. Oceanographic conditions, bathymetry (multibeam) and grain size were considered as environmental controlling factors. Sediment samples were taken with a van Veen grab, during the ANTAR XXV Peruvian expedition (February 2018), onboard the R/V "BAP Carrasco" from the Peruvian Navy. Biopolymeric composition revealed the predominance of fresh marine protein-rich organic matter in the seafloor of Collins Bay, denoting high quality food resource for marine benthic heterotrophs. Based on Igeo values (between 0 and 1) Collins Bay can be considered unpolluted with natural levels of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. Distribution of most of these elements with a gradient of decrease from the shallow inner fjord towards the outer deepest fjord, suggest their association with the deposition of detrital material and lithogenic particles supplied by Collins Glacier frontal ablation and runoff. This first comprehensive baseline information would assist in interpreting downcore sedimentary reconstructions and future climate-induce changes.

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.

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

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

First record of Ciocalypta Bowerbank, 1862 (Demospongiae, Suberitida, Halichondriidae) in the Eastern Pacific, with description of a new species from Peru.

Ciocalypta includes species with finger-shaped fistules emerging from a basal mass and skeleton composed by a central axis and secondary tracts supporting the ectosome. Although worldwide distributed, no species of this genus has been reported from the Eastern Pacific. In this study, a new Ciocalypta is described from shallow waters of the southern coast of Peru. Ciocalypta magnastyla sp. nov. is greenish white, possesses the typical fistules with oscula located at their tips, and it is characterized by the presence of large styles (370-1000/5.0-32.5 µm) in combination with oxeas of intermediate size (160-500/5.0-12.5 µm). This new species constitutes the first record of the genus for the Peruvian coast as well as for the entire Eastern Pacific.

A new genus of calcareous sponge discovered in the Caribbean Sea: Bidderia gen. nov. (Porifera, Calcarea, Calcinea).

Calcareous sponges from the Lesser Antilles were recently inventoried and several specimens morphologically resembling species of the genus Ascoleucetta were collected. Morphological and molecular (C-LSU and ITS) analyses indicated that these specimens from the Lesser Antilles constituted a new genus. They lack the conspicuous and very characteristic ornamentation of the inhalant apertures found in two out of three species of Ascoleucetta, including the type species A. compressa. In the molecular analyses, the specimens clustered as an independent lineage, distant from the clade of A. compressa. Based on these results, we decided to erect a new genus, Bidderia gen. nov., whose type species is Bidderia bicolora gen. nov. sp. nov. Considering this new discovery, we are proposing to transfer the species A. amitsba to the genus Bidderia gen. nov. and to rediagnose Ascoleucetta.

Diversity and distribution patterns of Calcareous sponges (subclass Calcinea) from Martinique.

Calcareous sponges of the subclass Calcinea from Martinique (Caribbean Sea) are presented under an integrative perspective (morphology and DNA: ITS and C-LSU). Eleven species of six genera have been found in Martinique, three of them being new to science: Borojevia crystallina sp. nov., Clathrina delicata sp. nov., and Ernstia adunca sp. nov. Among these new records, four species were previously known from other Caribbean localities: Arturia vansoesti, Clathrina insularis, C. mutabilis, and Leucaltis clathria. Two species previously known in Brazilian waters are reported for the first time in the Caribbean Sea: Arturia alcatraziensis and C. cf. cylindractina. Finally, the occurrence of C. aurea and Leucetta floridana in Martinique is confirmed. The two molecular markers (ITS and C-LSU) and the morphological characters considered (e.g. body shape, aquiferous system and spicules) provided congruent classifications what tend to confirm their reliability for the taxonomy of Clathrinida. After the present work, a total of 17 species of Calcarea are recognised for Martinique. We discuss three types of distribution patterns (Endemic, Caribbean-Brazil, and Amphi-Atlantic), Martinique likely playing an important role as stepping stone to garantee connectivity among populations of Calcinea in the Atlantic.

Calcareous sponges (Porifera, Calcarea) from Florida: new species, new records and biogeographical affinities.

Florida is among important marine biodiversity areas with high richness and endemism of marine taxa. Despite the economic and scientific importance of the region, knowledge on the diversity and distribution of some groups, such as calcareous sponges, is still reduced and scattered in old literature. In the present work, sponges collected in the Florida Keys were studied under an integrative perspective (traditional morphology and DNA: ITS). Three calcinean species were found: Clathrina smaragda sp. nov., C. lutea, and Ernstia rocasensis. Clathrina smaragda sp. nov. is the first Clathrina described with a green cormus. The occurrence of C. lutea in Florida was confirmed, and E. rocasensis had its geographical distribution widened from the Northeastern Brazilian waters to Florida, although Floridian individuals of this species have presented differences in morphological characters that resulted in the proposition of a new diagnosis and a discussion on morphological plasticity in Clathrinidae. A complete list of the calcareous sponges from Florida is presented and their distributional patterns are discussed.

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

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

A molecular phylogeny for the order Clathrinida rekindles and refines Haeckel's taxonomic proposal for calcareous sponges.

Most biological groups are still longing for a phylogenetically sound taxonomic organization. In this article, we aimed to verify the consistency of morphological characters in calcarean sponges of the well-known non-monophyletic order Clathrinida using a molecular phylogeny. For this we included 50 species, including six type species, currently assigned to eight different genera. A maximum likelihood topology was generated for the nuclear ITS marker using the General Time Reversible model and the bootstrap reliability test. Our topology indicated 10 clathrinid clades that included species with consistent morphological characters. In the present study, we defined nine of these clades as clathrinid genera, including four newly described and two newly diagnosed genera. Recent studies have indicated that not much phylogenetic information may be found in morphology, but our findings contradict this general assertion. Our study confirms the suitability of skeleton and body anastomosis as valid characters in a phylogenetically sound taxonomy for the order. Interestingly, we have also found that, apart from the Calcinea/Calcaronea split and a few minor details, Haeckel's original proposal is remarkably similar to our own, which was based on a molecular phylogeny 140 years later.