New species of Haliclona (Demospongiae: Haplosclerida: Chalinidae) from Western Australia

Abstract

Two new sponge species, Haliclona durdong sp. nov. and Haliclona djeedara sp. nov. from the south west of Western Australia are described. Morphologically distinct from each other, both species are assigned to the genus Haliclona subgenus Haliclona. Haliclona djeedara sp. nov. individuals are ficiform to lobate, brown to beige in colour and have numerous apical oscules. Haliclona durdong sp. nov. individuals have a massive morphology, green colour, and large funnellike oscules. The description of these two new species brings the species of Haliclona (Haliclona) in Australia to 25.

Aquatic Antagonists: Sponge Dermatitis

“…Erythema, edema, and pain that can persist for weeks North America, Central America, and South America 14,15 Haliclona species Pain, pruritus, erythema, and paresthesia Australia 2,16,17 Neofibularia nolitangere (touch-me-not sponge),…”

Spicular analysis of surficial sediments as a supplementary tool for studies of modern sponge communities

“…The most investigated areas with the best known sponge fauna include Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Australia (e.g., [63]). Still, there are new sponge species described from these sponge-rich regions every year (e.g., [18,51,64,67,68]), and it is presumed that there is still about twice as many species unknown to scientists [66]; particularly small, cryptic, or excavating species are difficult to observe and sometimes are overlooked. Thus, sponge inventory lists are incomplete.…”