ena-STUDY-Astrid-10-05-2019-10:16:25:694-10
Systematics of 'lithistid' tetractinellid demosponges from the Tropical Western Atlantic – implications for phylodiversity and bathymetric distribution
Background Among all present demosponges, lithistids represent a polyphyletic group withexceptionally well preserved fossils dating back to the Cambrian. Knowledge of their recentdiversity, particularly in the Tropical Western Atlantic Ocean (TWA) where they are commonin deep waters, is scarce making any comparison between present and past major 'lithistid'faunas difficult. In addition, the lack of sufficient molecular and morphological data hamper anypredictions on phylogenetic relationships or phylodiversity from this region. The Harbor BranchOceanographic Institute (HBOI, Fort Pierce, Florida) holds the largest collection of TWA lithistidsponges worldwide, however, the majority remain to be taxonomically identified and revised.Methods/Principal Findings In this study we provide sequences of 249 lithistid demo-sponges using two independent molecular markers (28S rDNA (C1-D2) and cox1 mtDNA). Inaddition, a morphological documentation of 70 lithistid specimens is provided in the databaseof the Sponge Barcoding Project (SBP). This integrated dataset represents the largest andmost comprehensive of the TWA lithistids to date. The phylogenetic diversity of 'lithistid'demosponges in the Bahamas and Jamaica are high in comparison to other TWA regions;Theonellidae and Corallistidae dominate the fauna, while Neopeltidae and Macandrewiidae arerare. A new tetractinellid suborder, one new genus and several new species are recognizedand the Pacific 'lithistid' genera, Herengeria and Awhiowhio, are reported from the TWA for thefirst time. The higher-taxa relationships of desma-bearing tetractinellids are discussed andtopics for revision suggested.Conclusion This first integrative approach of TWA 'lithistid' demosponges contributes to abetter understanding of their phylogenetic affinities, diversity and bathymetric distribution pat-terns within the TWA. As in the Pacific, the TWA 'lithistid' demosponges dominate deep-waterhabitats. Deeper taxonomic investigations will undoubtedly contribute to a better comparisonbetween present major 'lithistid' faunas and their fossil record in the Mesozoic.
Background Among all present demosponges, lithistids represent a polyphyletic group withexceptionally well preserved fossils dating back to the Cambrian. Knowledge of their recentdiversity, particularly in the Tropical Western Atlantic Ocean (TWA) where they are commonin deep waters, is scarce making any comparison between present and past major 'lithistid'faunas difficult. In addition, the lack of sufficient molecular and morphological data hamper anypredictions on phylogenetic relationships or phylodiversity from this region. The Harbor BranchOceanographic Institute (HBOI, Fort Pierce, Florida) holds the largest collection of TWA lithistidsponges worldwide, however, the majority remain to be taxonomically identified and revised.Methods/Principal Findings In this study we provide sequences of 249 lithistid demo-sponges using two independent molecular markers (28S rDNA (C1-D2) and cox1 mtDNA). Inaddition, a morphological documentation of 70 lithistid specimens is provided in the databaseof the Sponge Barcoding Project (SBP). This integrated dataset represents the largest andmost comprehensive of the TWA lithistids to date. The phylogenetic diversity of 'lithistid'demosponges in the Bahamas and Jamaica are high in comparison to other TWA regions;Theonellidae and Corallistidae dominate the fauna, while Neopeltidae and Macandrewiidae arerare. A new tetractinellid suborder, one new genus and several new species are recognizedand the Pacific 'lithistid' genera, Herengeria and Awhiowhio, are reported from the TWA for thefirst time. The higher-taxa relationships of desma-bearing tetractinellids are discussed andtopics for revision suggested.Conclusion This first integrative approach of TWA 'lithistid' demosponges contributes to abetter understanding of their phylogenetic affinities, diversity and bathymetric distribution pat-terns within the TWA. As in the Pacific, the TWA 'lithistid' demosponges dominate deep-waterhabitats. Deeper taxonomic investigations will undoubtedly contribute to a better comparisonbetween present major 'lithistid' faunas and their fossil record in the Mesozoic.