Janussen, D.; Tabachnick, K.R.; Tendal, O.S. (2004). Deep-sea Hexactinellida (Porifera) of the Weddell Sea. Deep-Sea Research Part II. 51: 1857-1882.

127149

Janussen, D.; Tabachnick, K.R.; Tendal, O.S.

2004

51: 1857-1882.

Publication

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New Hexactinellida from the deep Weddel Sea are described. This moderately diverse hexactinellid fauna includes 14 species belonging to 12 genera, ofwhich five species and one subgenus are new to science: Periphragella antarctica n. sp., Holascus pseudostellatus n. sp., Caulophacus (Caulophacus) discohexactinus n. sp., C. (Caulodiscus) brandti n. sp., C. (Oxydiscus) weddelli n. sp., and C. (Oxydiscus) n. subgen. So far, 20 hexactinellid species have been reported from the deep Weddell Sea, 15 are known from the northern part and 10 only from here, while 10 came from the southern area, and five of these only from there. However, this apparent high ‘‘endemism’’ ofAntarctic hexactinellid sponges is most likely the result ofsevere undersampling of the deep-sea fauna. We find no reason to believe that a division between an oceanic and a more continental group ofspecies exists. The current poor database indicates that a substantial part of the deep hexactinellid fauna of the Weddell Sea is shared with other deep-sea regions, but it does not indicate a special biogeographic relationship with any other ocean.

Antarctic

Systematics, Taxonomy

Porifera

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