Tetraxonid sponges occurring in southern Brazil: II-Material collected by R/V "Prof. W. Besnard" during the Rio Grande do Sul Program

Abstract

Six species of tetraxonid sponges occurring in southern Brazil are studied: Jaspis johnstoni (Schmidt, 1862); Geodia eosaster (Sollas, 1888); Erylus oxyaster Lendenfeld, 1910; Pachastrella monilifera Schmidt, 1868; Sphinctrella cribrifera (Sollas, 1886) and Coscinospongia typus (Schmidt, 1870) . Data are also given on the temperature and salinity for the oceanographie stations where the specimens were collected in the South Atlantic coast at Rio Grande do Sul (Lat. 30º60'S - 33º29'S and Long. 49º13'W - 50º44'W). The collections were made by R/V. "Prof . W. Besnard", from 150-284 m depth, during the period of June to December, 1968. All species are recorded for the first time for the coast of Rio Grande do Sul. Morphological characteristics and spicular structure of the specimens are described and illustrated. Spicular measures are also given for the material studied.