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| Format: | Recurso digital |
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Zenodo
2025
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15185527 |
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- <p><b><i>Aplysilla sulfurea</i> Schulze, 1878</b></p><p>Fig. 6</p><p><i>Aplysilla sulfurea</i> Schulze, 1878: 405–416, pl. XXIII– XXIV figs 15, 19–30.</p><p><i>Aplysilla sulphurea</i> – Alander 1942: 18.</p><p><b>Material examined</b> (3 specimens)</p><p>SWEDEN • 1 spec.; Saltbacken; 59.0832° N, 11.2242° E; 30 m depth; 24 Apr. 2018; Mats Larsson leg. [MM-180424-1]; SCUBA; LAR-180424-4596; voucher: GNM Porifera 991 • 1 spec.; Lunneviken; 59.0546° N, 11.1690° E; 30 m depth; 18 Sep. 2018; Mats Larsson leg. [MM-180916-1]; SCUBA; LAR-180918-7202, 7205; voucher: GNM Porifera 992 • 1 spec.; Yttre Vattenholmen; 58.8754° N, 11.1056° E; 30 m depth; 16 Nov. 2019; Mats Larsson leg. [MM-191116-1]; SCUBA; LAR-191116-PB160463–64, 66; voucher: GNM Porifera 993.</p><p><b>Description</b></p><p>The specimens have a thick encrusting morphology. The living specimens had a yellow sulphur colour, turning to dark purple when fixed in ethanol. The surface is conulose (Fig. 6A). In some specimens (in situ and while expanded) it is possible to observe a network of membranous polygonal areas heavily pierced by multiple ostia, enabling to see the inside of the sponge. The oscula are spread, often on oscular chimneys, and with translucent membranous rims.</p><p><b>Skeleton</b></p><p>The skeleton is composed of dendritic fibres (i.e., the fibres might ramify but never coalesce) attached to a spongin basal plate, clear of debris (Fig. 6B). The fibres have a distinct core, darker, that occupies 80–90% of the total thickness of the fibre. Fibres are thicker at the base becoming thinner toward the tip.</p><p><b>Ecology and distribution</b></p><p>Specimens of this species have been reported worldwide. However, most reports are in the Atlantic, North Sea and Mediterranean (GBIF.org 2021) from the littoral zone (under rocks or in crevices) to 230 m (Ackers <i>et al.</i> 2007). The type locality is in the Adriatic Sea.</p><p><b>Remarks</b></p><p>The species of the genus <i>Aplysilla</i> can be discriminated by the colour as it seems to be a stable feature in the genus (Bergquist 1980). However, a few specimens identified as <i>A. sulfurea</i> have been reported with a pale yellow colour as opposed to the typical bright/sulphurous yellow. All specimens we examined had a bright yellow colour.</p><p>The distinction between species relies primarily on external features, such as colour and conule size. These features are difficult to observe in preserved, or damaged specimens, which could explain the low number of described species. The microscopic features that distinguish the species are: the fibre pigmentation, and fibre ramifications, which can be easily overlooked, or dependent on the size of the sponge.</p>