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The outer shelf and upper slope region under the influence of the Amazon River mouth harbors an extensive reef system with a rich sponge fauna, but no hexactinellids were recorded in the area so far. In this work, manned submersibles were used to describe for the first time three species of Hexactinellida off the Amazon River mouth: Hyalonema (Cyliconemaoida) alucia sp. nov., Dactylocalyx pumiceus and Claviscopulia facunda. We found two morphotypes of Dactylocalyx pumiceus, suggesting that it may be a complex of cryptic species. The populations of the three species off Pará State were sparse, but a large aggregation of D. pumiceus was found off Maranhão State from 145 to 230 m depth. These findings indicate that hexactinellid grounds may be more common along the Northern Brazilian continental outer shelf and slope than previously thought.

We evaluated the structural responses of marine sponge assemblages to different substrates as well as their positioning around Ilha Grande, a local hotspot of marine biodiversity sheltered in a bay area off Southeast Brazil. Sampling sites were distributed between sides of the island facing the continent (North) and ocean (South) across two depth-dependent substrates. As proved by ordination and permutation analyses, these two factors accounted for nearly half the variation observed among assemblages, either with species abundance or coverage area data. Out of 46 OTUs surveyed (~ 3000 individuals), Tedania (Tedania) ignis, Scopalina ruetzleri, and Iotrochota arenosa dominated the community, even though most of the dissimilarity detected among assemblages relied on 20% of the OTUs. The northern side was proved as more diverse, and the south-facing side held more unspecific, putatively new OTUs. Assemblages dwelling on rocky-to-sandy interface bottoms were meager in species number, although they mainly included Dragmacidon reticulatum and the endemic Brazilian sponge Polymastia janeirensis. By highlighting structuring factors operating on Ilha Grande’s sponge assemblage, we hope to support future monitoring surveys on an environment increasingly impacted by human activities over the years.

The search for new, powerful antimicrobials is essential to respond to the current worldwide spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Sponge-associated bacteria have great potential for production of antimicrobials against resistant and multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogenic bacteria, but only few species of the Class Homoscleromorpha have been screened for these activities so far. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify sponge-associated bacteria active against antibiotic-resistant pathogens from sponges of classes Homoscleromorpha and Demospongiae. By employing five different growth conditions, a total of 239 colony-forming units were isolated and remained viable. Among these, 17 (7.1%) isolates presented antimicrobial activity against pathogenic and (multi)drug resistant bacteria including vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Citrobacter freundii, Klebsiella penumoniae, Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. Bioactive bacteria belonging to genera Bacillus and Vibrio were identified at species level and the DNA fingerprint patterns showed that strains of the same genus were not clonally related. The most active strains belong to genus Bacillus and were isolated from Oscarella sp., Plakina cyanorosea and Chondrilla caribensis. Our results show for the first time that sponge-associated strains of Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus muralis have high anti-MDR activity, and that the Homoscleromorpha may be a better source of such anti-MDR active bacteria than the Demospongiae. These results suggest that marine bacteria associated to homoscleromorph sponges may be an interesting source of new antimicrobial substances with biotechnological potential to treat infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Active heterotrophic metabolism is a critical metabolic role performed by sponge-associated microorganisms, but little is known about their capacity to metabolize marine polysaccharides (MPs). Here, we investigated the genome of the sponge-derived Pseudoalteromonas sp. strain PA2MD11 focusing on its macroalgal carbohydrate-degrading potential. Carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) for the depolymerization of agar and alginate were found in PA2MD11's genome, including glycoside hydrolases (GHs) and polysaccharide lyases (PLs) belonging to families GH16, GH50 and GH117, and PL6 and PL17, respectively. A gene potentially encoding a sulfatase was also identified, which may play a role in the strain's ability to consume carrageenans. The complete metabolism of agar and alginate by PA2MD11 could also be predicted and was consistent with the results obtained in physiological assays. The polysaccharide utilization locus (PUL) potentially involved in the metabolism of agarose contained mobile genetic elements from other marine Gammaproteobacteria and its unusual larger size might be due to gene duplication events. Homology modelling and structural protein analyses of the agarases, alginate lyases and sulfatase depicted clear conservation of catalytic machinery and protein folding together with suitable industrially-relevant features. Pseudoalteromonas sp. PA2MD11 is therefore a source of potential MP-degrading biocatalysts for biorefinery applications and in the preparation of pharmacologically-active oligosaccharides.

In this contribution we revise the type specimens of Geodia tylastra, Rhabdastrella fibrosa and Geodia corticostylifera, adding new photographs of preserved specimens, skeleton sections, and scanning electron micrographs of the spicules. We demonstrate that the three species are synonyms, with priority to the older name G. tylastra Boury-Esnault, 1973. We also show that Rhabdastrella fibrosa sensu Van Soest (2017) differs from the holotype in spicule composition and is here given a new name, Rhabdastrella vansoesti sp. nov. In addition, we describe a new species of Geodia, G. polytriaena sp. nov., and new records of G. glariosa and G. tylastra from Sergipe State, in the Northeast Brazilian coast. With the description of Geodia polytriaena sp. nov. and the synonymyzation of G. corticostylifera, 20 species of Geodia are now known in the Tropical Western Atlantic Ocean.

The sponge genus Corticium has important evolutionary significance and great pharmacological potential, but its diversity remains poorly known. In this contribution we redescribe two poorly-known Indian and Pacific oceans species, viz., Corticium simplex and C. bargibanti, and describe three new species of Corticium from Western Australia. We observed for the first time the presence of rare calthrops in C. simplex, which has a wide distribution and may be a species complex. The three new species are mainly characterized by their spiculation: Corticium furcatum sp. nov. has large calthrops and exclusive candelabra with bifurcated rays in the apical actine; C. monolophum sp. nov. has large monolophose calthrops, smooth calthrops and candelabra; and C. verticillatum sp. nov. has acanthocalthrops with verticillated spines, which are exclusive to this species within the genus. The diversity of Corticium is raised to 11 species worldwide, but it still remains highly underestimated. A key to all valid species is here provided.

The marine sponge Ircinia strobilina crude extract (ISCE) was analyzed as a corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 1 mol L−1 HCl. The corrosion behavior was evaluated using weight loss method, potentiodynamic polarization, linear polarization resistance and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results show an increase in anticorrosive efficiency as ISCE concentrations increase (from ±55% at 0.5 g L−1 to ± 82% at 2.0 g L−1). The surface was examined by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy. The composition of the crude extract was chemically characterized by liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry. The protection mechanism was discussed.

Didiscus Dendy, 1922 and Myrmekioderma Ehlers, 1870 are closely related genera of axinellid sponges, distinguished mainly by the presence of didiscorhabd microscleres in Didiscus and of trichodragmata in Myrmekioderma. Their family-level classification, however, is highly controversial, in part because their specific and morphological diversities are still poorly known. Here, we redescribed Didiscus oxeatus Hechtel, 1983 based on new specimens and revision of the holotype, described two new species of Didiscus and two new species of Myrmekioderma from off the Amazon and Sao Francisco river mouths in Northern and Northeastern Brazil. These two areas in the Tropical Atlantic (TA) are still understudied, especially when considering their high environmental and economic importance. We observed for the first time the presence of tylostyles in the holotype of D. oxeatus, as well as in the new specimens from Sergipe State. Didiscus pseudoverdensis sp. nov. has thick, strongly spined didiscorhabds with sharp ends; Didiscus raraediscus sp. nov. has small microspined oxeas; Myrmekioderma guajajara sp. nov. has microxeas and verrucose small oxeas; and Myrmekioderma tenax sp. nov. has both raphidiform and sinuous oxeas. The morphological diversities of both genera are expanded by the addition of new spicule types and ornamentations. Morphological data indicated that both Didiscus and Myrmekioderma should be classified in the family Heteroxyidae, in contrast to previous molecular studies, which suggest that they could belong at least in part to Raspailiidae. These two families and the genus Myrmekioderma are probably polyphyletic and need revision. The number of species of Didiscus and Myrmekioderma worldwide is raised to 11 and 13, respectively, of which five species of Didiscus and six of Myrmekioderma occur in the TA. Most species have narrow distributions, probably reflecting the low sampling effort. This study provides a more accurate picture of the biodiversity and distribution of Didiscus and Myrmekioderma in the TA and reinforces the importance of scientific explorations in understudied areas such as off the mouths of the Amazon and Sao Francisco rivers.

Marine sponges from the Plakinidae family are well known for hosting cytotoxic secondary metabolites and the Brazilian Atlantic coast and its oceanic islands have been considered as a hotspot for the discovery of new Plakinidae species. Herein, we report the chemical profile among cytotoxic extracts obtained from four species of Plakinidae, collected in Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (PE, Northeastern Brazil). Crude organic extracts of Plakinastrella microspiculifera, Plakortis angulospiculatus, Plakortis insularis, and Plakortis petrupaulensis showed strong antiproliferative effects against two different cancer cell lines (HCT-116: 86.7-100%; MCF-7: 74.9-89.5%) at 50 μg/mL, by the MTT assay. However, at a lower concentration (5 μg/mL), high variability in inhibition of cell growth was observed (HCT-116: 17.3-68.7%; MCF-7: 0.00-55.5%), even within two samples of Plakortis insularis which were collected in the west and east sides of the Archipelago. To discriminate the chemical profile, the samples were investigated by UHPLC-HRMS under positive ionization mode. The produced data was uploaded to the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking and organized based on spectral similarities for purposes of comparison and annotation. Compounds such as dipeptides, nucleosides and derivatives, polyketides, and thiazine alkaloids were annotated and metabolomic differences were perceived among the species. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first assessment for cytotoxic activity and chemical profiling for Plakinastrella microspiculifera, Plakortis insularis and Plakortis petrupaulensis, revealing other biotechnologically relevant members of the Plakinidae family.

Marine sponges from the Plakinidae family are well known for hosting cytotoxic secondary metabolites and the Brazilian Atlantic coast and its oceanic islands have been considered as a hotspot for the discovery of new Plakinidae species. Herein, we report the chemical profile among cytotoxic extracts obtained from four species of Plakinidae, collected in Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (PE, Northeastern Brazil). Crude organic extracts of Plakinastrella microspiculifera, Plakortis angulospiculatus, Plakortis insularis, and Plakortis petrupaulensis showed strong antiproliferative effects against two different cancer cell lines (HCT-116: 86.7–100%; MCF-7: 74.9–89.5%) at 50 μg/mL, by the MTT assay. However, at a lower concentration (5 μg/mL), high variability in inhibition of cell growth was observed (HCT-116: 17.3–68.7%; MCF-7: 0.00–55.5%), even within two samples of Plakortis insularis which were collected in the west and east sides of the Archipelago. To discriminate the chemical profile, the samples were investigated by UHPLC-HRMS under positive ionization mode. The produced data was uploaded to the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking and organized based on spectral similarities for purposes of comparison and annotation. Compounds such as dipeptides, nucleosides and derivatives, polyketides, and thiazine alkaloids were annotated and metabolomic differences were perceived among the species. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first assessment for cytotoxic activity and chemical profiling for Plakinastrella microspiculifera, Plakortis insularis and Plakortis petrupaulensis, revealing other biotechnologically relevant members of the Plakinidae family.

Bacillus pumilus 64-1, a bacterial strain isolated from the marine sponge Plakina cyanorosea, which exhibits antimicrobial activity against both pathogenic and drug-resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. This study aimed to conduct an in-depth genomic analysis of this bioactive sponge-derived strain. The nearly complete genome of strain 64-1 consists of 3.6 Mbp (41.5% GC), which includes 3,705 coding sequences (CDS). An open pangenome was observed when limiting to the type strains of the B. pumilus group and aquatic-derived B. pumilus representatives. The genome appears to encode for at least 12 potential biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), including both types I and III polyketide synthases (PKS), non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS), and one NRPS-T1PKS hybrid, among others. In particular, bacilysin and other bacteriocin-coding genes were found and may be associated with the detected antimicrobial activity. Strain 64-1 also appears to possess a broad repertoire of genes encoding for plant cell wall-degrading carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes). A myriad of genes which may be involved in various process required by the strain in its marine habitat, such as those encoding for osmoprotectory transport systems and the biosynthesis of compatible solutes were also present. Several heavy metal tolerance genes are also present, together with various mobile elements including a region encoding for a type III-B Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) region, four prophage segments and transposase elements. This is the first report on the genomic characterization of a cultivable bacterial member of the Plakina cyanorosea holobiont.

Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis are among the most important bacterial species responsible for biofilm formation on indwelling medical devices, including orthopaedic implants. The increasing resistance to antimicrobials, partly attributed to the ability to form biofilms, is a challenge for the development of new antimicrobial agents. In this study, the cell-free supernatant obtained from sponge-associated Enterobacter strain 84.3 culture inhibited biofilm formation (>65%) and dissociated mature biofilm (>85%) formed by S. aureus and S. epidermidis strains. The culture supernatant was subjected to solvent partitioning and the aqueous extract presented a concentration-dependent antibiofilm activity for each strain with a minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) ranging from 16 to 256 μg/mL. The effect of the aqueous extract on mature S. aureus biofilm was analyzed by confocal scanning laser microscopy, showing a significant reduction of the biofilm layer as well as diminished interactions among the cells. This extract is not toxic for mammalian cells (L929 cell line). Studies targeting substances with antibiofilm activity gained significant attention in recent years due to difficult-to-treat biofilm infections. Here, sponge-associated Enterobacter 84.3 proved to be a source of substances capable of eradicating staphylococcal biofilm, with potential medical use in the future.

In the present study, the demosponge genus Melophlus Thiele, 1899 is revised and the type specimens of all its species are re-examined. The diagnosis of the genus is amended, based on the presence in the type species, M. sarasinorum Thiele, 1899, of a well-developed ectosome of acanthomicrorhabds and a dense feltwork of large oxeas, together with oxyasters and microxeas as microscleres; triaenes are absent. Melophlus ruber Lehnert & van Soest, 1998 and Melophlus hajdui Moraes, 2011 are here transferred to Stellettinopsis Carter, 1879 due to their superficial crust of large acanthomicrorhabds, bouquets of oxeas in the ectosome, and rare triaenes previously overlooked. Additionally, we describe two new species of Stellettinopsis from Brazil and compare them to all valid species of the genus. Stellettinopsis capixaba sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners especially by the presence of rare orthotriaenes with curved cladi and of three categories of spined euasters (oxyasters 1 and 2 and strongylasters); Stellettinopsis baiana sp. nov. is characterized mainly by the common orthodichotriaenes, spined oxyasters, and spined strongylasters. Stellettinopsis species have been often assigned to the genus Melophlus due to their similar spicule complement and rarity of triaenes. We suggest that skeletal architecture and the shape of microscleres are more useful than megascleres to separate genera with rare triaenes such as Stellettinopsis and Stryphnus from other astrophorids. Morphological data suggest that both Stellettinopsis and Melophlus should be re-allocated to the family Ancorinidae, but more comprehensive integrative studies are still needed to resolve the classification of Astrophorina.

Sponges of the Class Homoscleromorpha, despite their high evolutionary significance, are still poorly known due to their small size and cryptic habit. In this study, we describe five species of the homoscleromorph genus Plakina from submarine caves in the Aegean Sea (Lesvos Island, Greece): Plakina bowerbanki, P. trilopha, P. anisoactina sp. nov., P. anomala sp. nov., and P. hellenica sp. nov. Plakina anomala sp. nov. is the first species of the genus with papillae and the first Homoscleromorpha with a microcavity-filling habit. Plakina bowerbanki, P. anomala sp. nov. and P. anisoactina sp. nov. present exceptionally stout, annulated lophose spicules with highly variable ramification patterns, including some original types. The high diversity of Plakina in the two caves of Lesvos Island is similar to that of northwestern Mediterranean caves. Despite being much less studied, the Aegean Sea now equals the Western Mediterranean as the two ecoregions of the Mediterranean with the highest diversity of Plakina, with eight species each. The Aegean Sea encompasses a huge number of submarine caves, and therefore it has great potential for the discovery of new species of Homoscleromorpha.

Although hexactinellid sponges occur exclusively in deep and/or cold waters, three species of hexactinellids have been reported from shallow and warm waters in Oligo-Miocene deposits of the Pirabas Formation in northern Brazil: Aphrocallistes estevoui, A. lobata and Manzonia aprutina . Here we re-examine these fossils and show that they are not hexactinellid sponges but instead comprise three species of cheilostome bryozoans of the genus Celleporaria (Family Lepraliellidae). Two of these are new to science, viz., Celleporaria pirabasensis sp. nov. and Celleporaria triangulavicularis sp. nov., and the third could not be identified to species level due to poor preservation. Colonies of all three species are massive and multilaminar, with irregular layers of zooids produced by frontal budding. Autozooids have marginal areolar pores and a rounded, asinuate primary orifice. All colonies also have suboral adventitious avicularia and interzooidal avicularia, although of different shapes and sizes. Celleporaria triangulavicularis sp. nov. has distinctive triangular interzooidal avicularia. The underside of the frontal shield was seen only in Celleporaria pirabasensis sp. nov. and Celleporaria sp., in which it is umbonuloid. Ovicells were only seen in Celleporaria pirabasensis sp. nov. and are cap-shaped. The three species differ among themselves mainly in the shape and position of the adventitious and interzooidal avicularia. The presence of several typical bryozoan traits and the absence of spicule traces or any other sponge features clearly demonstrate that these fossils are bryozoans, not sponges. The change in the classification of these fossils from hexactinellids to bryozoans of the genus Celleporaria eliminates the incongruence of the occurrence of deep-water species in the warm shallow water depositional environment of the Pirabas Formation.

The demosponge genus Endectyon is characterized by the presence of acanthostyles with recurved or clavulate spines. Two subgenera are recognized, Endectyon and Hemectyon, distinguished mainly by the acanthostyles being located only in the periphery of the axial skeleton in Endectyon, or forming the ectosomal brushes in Hemectyon. Sixteen species are known worldwide, of which only two were reported from the Western Atlantic Ocean. However, the type locality of Endectyon xerampelina is uncertain, and it could be located either in the Western Atlantic or in Australia. In the present study, we describe new records of E. xerampelina from the Brazilian coast and propose that Raspailia (R.) johnhooperi from the Guyana shelf is a junior synonym of E. xerampelina. Our results support the hypothesis that the type locality of E. xerampelina is located somewhere in the Tropical Western Atlantic Ocean and also that the species belongs to the subgenus Endectyon (Endectyon). We amended the diagnosis of the subgenus Endectyon (Endectyon) to account for the variability of acanthostyle shape in E. (E.) xerampelina, assigning greater taxonomic value to the position of the echinating megascleres than to their shape and pattern of spination.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T15:40:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-01-01 Despite the evolutionary significance of Homoscleromorpha, their diversity and biology are largely unknown. Here we integrate data of morphology, cytology, microbiology, ecology, reproduction, and mitochondrial cox-1 and cob gene sequences to resolve a complex of sympatric species of Plakina in South-eastern Brazil. All datasets congruently supported the delimitation of three species, two of which are new to science. Plakina coerulea has its distribution extended from one locality to over 2360 km wide. Plakina cabofriense, sp. nov. also occurs in North-eastern Brazil. Plakina cyanorosea, sp. nov. occurs only in a single, small tide pool and may be critically endangered. Plakina cyanorosea, sp. nov. produces conspicuous, abundant larvae useful for laboratory investigations. A thin, bright orange organic coat covers some spicules of P. cabofriense, sp. nov. and P. cyanorosea, sp. nov. The three Plakina species harbour diverse microbial symbiont communities, including previously unknown morphologies. Molecular phylogenies and barcoding gaps based on cox-1 and cob sequences supported that each species is monophyletic and distinct from other congeners. The genus Plakina is paraphyletic and strongly needs redefinition. The integrative approach provides new data that widens our knowledge of Homoscleromorpha diversity, distribution and biology. Departamento de Invertebrados Museu Nacional Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Quinta da Boa Vista, s/no Laboratório de Embriologia e Biologia Reprodutiva Instituto de Biologia Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA) Laboratório de Bacteriologia Molecular e Marinha Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) Laboratório de Interações Hospedeiro-Microbiota Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Praça Infante Dom Henrique s/no Departamento de Zoologia Instituto de Biologia Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) Laboratório de Interações Hospedeiro-Microbiota Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Praça Infante Dom Henrique s/no

Although antibiotic-resistant pathogens pose a significant threat to human health, the environmental reservoirs of the resistance determinants are still poorly understood. This study reports the detection of resistance genes (ermB, mecA, mupA, qnrA, qnrB and tetL) to antibiotics among certain culturable and unculturable bacteria associated with the marine sponge Petromica citrina. The antimicrobial activities elicited by P. citrina and its associated bacteria are also described. The results indicate that the marine environment could play an important role in the development of antibiotic resistance and the dissemination of resistance genes among bacteria., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Despite the broad assessment of sponge bacterial diversity through cultivation-independent and dependent strategies, the knowledge focusing on cultivable anaerobes from this holobiont is still incipient. Plakina is a genus with the highest number of described species from the smallest of poriferan classes, Homoscleromorpha. The Brazilian Atlantic coast has been presenting itself as a hotspot for the discovery of new plakinidae species, with initial surveys just now concerning to characterize their microbiome. The current study aimed to isolate and identify strict anaerobes from recently described species of Plakina collected at the coast of Cabo Frio, RJ. Samples of four sympatric morphotypes of Plakina cyanorosea and Plakina cabofriense were collected on the coast of Cabo Frio, RJ. Using five different culture media, a total of 93 bacterial isolates were recovered, among which 60 were strict anaerobes and, ultimately, 34 remaining viable. A total of 76.5% from these strains were mostly identified as Clostridium bifermentans by mass spectrometry and 82.4% identified by 16S rRNA sequencing, almost all of them affiliated to the genus Paraclostridium, and with one isolate identified as Clostridium butyricum by both techniques. None of the anaerobic bacteria exhibited antimicrobial activity by the adopted screening test. The present work highlights not only the need for cultivation and characterization of the anaerobic microbiota from marine sponges but also adds the existing scarce knowledge of culturable bacterial communities from Homoscleromorph sponges from Brazilian coast.

Recent studies showed a high diversity of the class Homoscleromorpha (Porifera) in the North Aegean Sea. In the South Aegean Sea, however, only one species of the homoscleromorph genus Plakina, P. weinbergi, was reported so far. Here we describe a new species of Plakina from a marine cave in the South Aegean Sea (Crete Island, Greece), viz., Plakina strongylata sp. nov. The new species is white, fragile, with a highly folded surface, and its spicules are diods, triods and calthrops with rounded extremities plus mono- and dilophose diods, mono-, di- and trilophose triods, and mono-, di, tri- and tetralophose calthrops. The number of Plakina species worldwide is raised to 35, of which nine occur in the Aegean Sea.

The sponge class Homoscleromorpha is a key model for the evolutionary biology of the Metazoa but its diversity remains poorly known. Here we describe six new species of the homoscleromorph family Plakinidae found in shaded habitats (submarine caves, tunnels and overhangs) of New Caledonia and Marquesas Islands, Central-Western Pacific. The new species belong to four genera: Corticium (Corticium vaceleti sp. nov.), Plakina (Plakina finispinata sp. nov.), Plakinastrella (Plakinastrella osculifera sp. nov., Plakinastrella nicoleae sp. nov. and Plakinastrella pseudolopha sp. nov.), and Plakortis (Plakortis ruetzleri sp. nov.). Plakinastrella pseudolopha sp. nov. has a novel spicule type called here ‘pseudolophose spicules’. The diversity of Homoscleromorpha is raised to 50 species in the Pacific Ocean and 120 spp. worldwide.

Since the 19th century the deep-sea sponges from Brazil have been studied and many of them are still being discovered. This study describes five species of tetillid sponges from deep waters of the Brazilian economic exclusive zone; three are new, one is a new occurrence, and another is a known species which is here analyzed. The new species found are: Cinachyrella clavaeformis sp. nov. from the Columbia Seamount (85 m depth), Cinachyrella strongylophora sp. nov. from the Almirante Saldanha Seamount (270 m depth) and Craniella curviclada sp. nov. from slope of the Espírito Santo Basin (500 m depth). The two new species of Cinachyrella possess microacanthoxeas like those found in Cinachyrella kuekenthali (Uliczka 1929); this last species occurs in Caribbean region (4–100 m depth) and in N, NE and SE Brazil (0.2–100 m depth). The type material of Craniella corticata (Boury-Esnault 1973); from NE Brazil (75 m depth), has been found to be a synonym of Cinachyrella kuekenthali. Craniella crustocorticata van Soest 2017; from the Guyana shelf and slope (618–500 m depth), is here reported from the slope of NE and SW Brazil (400–700 m depth). A disorganized choanosomal skeleton (in Cinachyrella clavaeformis sp. nov.), strongyles (in Cinachyrella strongylophora sp. nov.) and a single-layered cortex of tangential oxeas (in Craniella crustocorticata) are new diagnostic characters that have led us to propose slight amendments in the definitions of Cinachyrella Wilson 1925 and Craniella Schmidt 1870. We discuss these and other morphological characters as well as their usefulness in Tetillidae. The diversity, distribution and bathymetry of tetillid sponges from Brazil are discussed and our knowledge of the composition of deep-sea sponges (deeper than 100 m) off Brazil is updated.

In this study we revise the current knowledge on the biodiversity and distribution of the Class Homoscleromorpha in the Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA). Twenty-seven species are currently recognized in the TWA, belonging to the generaOscarella(O. nathaliae),Plakortis(P. angulospiculatus, P. dariae, P. edwardsi, P. halichondrioides, P. insularis, P. microrhabdifera, P. myrae, P. petrupaulensis, P. potiguarensis, P. simplex, P. spinalis, P. zyggompha),Plakinastrella(P. globularis, P. microspiculifera, P. onkodes, P. stinapa),Plakina(P. coerulea, P. elisa, P. jamaicensis, P. monolopha, P. tetralopha, P. trilopha, P. versatilis),Corticium(C. diamantense, C. quadripartitum) andTetralophophora(T. mesoamericana). Three of these ‘species’ are cosmopolitan and in fact represent complexes of cryptic species:Plakina monolopha, P. trilophaandPlakortis simplex. All other 24 species reported are TWA endemics. Only four species are found both in the Caribbean and in Brazil:Plakortis angulospiculatus, P. halichondrioides, Plakinastrella microspiculiferaandP. onkodes, but these may also be species complexes. Seven species are Brazilian endemics:Plakina coerulea, Plakinastrella globularis, Plakortis insularis, P. microrhabdifera, P. petrupaulensis, P. potiguarensisandP. spinalis. Thirteen species are restricted to the Tropical North-western Atlantic:Corticium diamantense, C. quadripartitum, Oscarella nathaliae, Plakina elisa, P. jamaicensis, P. tetralopha, P. versatilis, Plakortis dariae, P. edwardsi, P. myrae, P. zyggompha, Plakinastrella stinapaandTetralophophora mesoamericana. The Greater Antilles is the richest ecoregion, with 12 species reported. Only the Guianan ecoregion has no records of Homoscleromorpha. Several undescribed species ofOscarellaandPlakinaare also known from the TWA. We estimate that the biodiversity of Homoscleromorpha in the TWA is at least twice as high than currently known.

Tethya samaaii RibeiroMuricy, 2011 is a massive, irregularly globular or sub-spherical sponge with basal rooting processes or a disc-like attachment (Figure 1A). It was described from Oudekraal, on the west coast of South Africa as Tethya rubra SamaaiGibbons, 2005 based on specimens collected during two surveys in 1996 (SamaaiGibbons 2005). This species was later reported from Algoa Bay, on the southeast coast of South Africa by Waterworth et al. (2017).

Ionic and organic forms of mercury (Hg) are powerful cytotoxic and neurotoxic agents in both humans and wild life. The aim of this study was to analyze the resistance profile and potential detoxification of inorganic and organic forms of Hg of bacteria isolated from marine sponges on the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Out of the 1,236 colony forming units associated with eleven species of marine sponges, 100 morphologically different bacterial strains were analyzed in this study. Of these, 21 strains were resistant to Hg, 14 of which were classified as highly resistant because they grew despite exposure to 100 µM HgCl2. Fifteen resistant strains reduced Hg and presented merA in their genomes. The remaining six strains produced biosurfactants, suggesting that they may tolerate Hg by sequestration. Eleven strains grew in the presence of methylmercury. Our results suggest a potential for mercury detoxification by marine sponge-associated resistant bacteria, either through reduction or sequestration, as well as the possibility of bioremediation of toxic waste containing mercury.

Sponges are sessile marine invertebrates that can live for many years in the same location, and therefore, they have the capability to accumulate anthropogenic pollutants such as metals over a long period. Almost all marine sponges harbor a large number of microorganisms within their tissues. The Bacillus cereus strain Pj1 was isolated from a marine sponge, Polymastia janeirensis, and was found to be resistant to 100 μM HgCl(2) and to 10 μM methylmercury (MeHg). Pj1 was also highly resistant to other metals, including CdCl(2) and Pb(NO(3))(2), alone or in combination. The mer operon was located on the bacterial chromosome, and the volatilization test indicated that the B. cereus Pj1 was able to reduce Hg(2+)-Hg(0). Cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry demonstrated that Pj1 volatilized 80 % of the total MeHg that it was exposed to and produced elemental Hg when incubated with 1.5 μM MeHg. Pj1 also demonstrated sensitivity to all antibiotics tested. In addition, Pj1 demonstrated a potential for biosurfactant production, presenting an emulsification activity better than synthetic surfactants. The results of this study indicate that B. cereus Pj1 is a strain that can potentially be applied in the bioremediation of HgCl(2) and MeHg contamination in aquatic environments.

Snakebites are a health problem in many countries due to the high incidence of such accidents. Antivenom treatment has regularly been used for more than a century, however, this does not neutralize tissue damage and may even increase the severity and morbidity of accidents. Thus, it has been relevant to search for new strategies to improve antiserum therapy, and a variety of molecules from natural sources with antiophidian properties have been reported. In this paper, we analyzed the ability of ten extracts from marine sponges (Amphimedon viridis, Aplysina fulva, Chondrosia collectrix, Desmapsamma anchorata, Dysidea etheria, Hymeniacidon heliophila, Mycale angulosa, Petromica citrina, Polymastia janeirensis, and Tedania ignis) to inhibit the effects caused by Bothrops jararaca and Lachesis muta venom. All sponge extracts inhibited proteolysis and hemolysis induced by both snake venoms, except H. heliophila, which failed to inhibit any biological activity. P. citrina inhibited lethality, hemorrhage, plasma clotting, and hemolysis induced by B. jararaca or L. muta. Moreover, other sponges inhibited hemorrhage induced only by B. jararaca. We conclude that Brazilian sponges may be a useful aid in the treatment of snakebites caused by L. muta and B. jararaca and therefore have potential for the discovery of molecules with antiophidian properties.

Benthic marine organisms are constantly exposed to fouling, which is harmful to most host species. Thus, the production of secondary metabolites containing antifouling properties is an important ecological advantage for sessile organisms and may also provide leading compounds for the development of antifouling paints. High antifouling potential of sponges has been demonstrated in the Indian and Pacific oceans and in the Caribbean and Mediterranean seas. Brazilian sponges remain understudied concerning antifouling activities. Only two scientific articles reported this activity in sponges of Brazil. The objective of this study was to test crude extracts of twelve species of sponges from Brazil against the attachment of the mussel Perna perna through laboratorial assays, and highlight promising species for future studies. The species Petromica citrina, Amphimedon viridis, Desmapsamma anchorata, Chondrosia sp., Polymastia janeirensis, Tedania ignis, Aplysina fulva, Mycale angulosa, Hymeniacidon heliophila, Dysidea etheria, Tethya rubra, and Tethya maza were frozen and freeze-dried before extraction with acetone or dichloromethane. The crude extract of four species significantly inhibited the attachment of byssus: Tethya rubra (p = 0.0009), Tethya maza (p = 0.0039), Petromica citrina (p = 0.0277), and Hymeniacidon heliophila (p = 0.00003). These species, specially, should be the target of future studies to detail the substances involved in the ability antifouling well as to define its amplitude of action.

Scientific exploration of marine cave environments and anchialine ecosystems over recent decades has led to outstanding discoveries of novel taxa, increasing our knowledge of biodiversity. However, biological research on underwater caves has taken place only in a few areas of the world and relevant information remains fragmented in isolated publications and databases. This fragmentation makes assessing the conservation status of marine cave species especially problematic, and this issue should be addressed urgently given the stresses resulting from planned and rampant development in the coastal zone worldwide. The goal of the World Register of marine Cave Species (WoRCS) initiative is to create a comprehensive taxonomic and ecological database of known species from marine caves and anchialine systems worldwide and to present this as a Thematic Species Database (TSD) of the World Register of marine Species (WoRMS). WoRCS will incorporate ecological data (e.g., type of environment, salinity regimes, and cave zone) as well as geographical information on the distribution of species in cave and anchialine environments. Biodiversity data will be progressively assembled from individual database sources at regional, national or local levels, as well as from literature sources (estimate: >20,000 existing records of cave-dwelling species scattered in several databases). Information will be organized in the WoRCS database following a standard glossary based on existing terminology. Cave-related information will be managed by the WoRCS thematic editors with all data dynamically linked to WoRMS and its team of taxonomic editors. In order to mobilize data into global biogeographic databases, a Gazetteer of the Marine and Anchialine Caves of the World will be established. The presence records of species could be eventually georeferenced for submission to the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) and constitute an important dataset for biogeographical and climate change studies on marine caves and anchialine systems.

Sponges offer an excellent model to investigate invertebrate–microorganism interactions. Furthermore, bacteria associated with marine sponges represent a rich source of bioactive metabolites. The aim of this study was to characterize the bacteria inhabiting a genus of sponges, Oscarella, and their potentiality for antimicrobial production. Bacterial isolates were recovered from different Oscarella specimens, among which 337 were phylogenetically identified. The culturable community was dominated by Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, and Vibrio was the most frequently isolated genus, followed by Shewanella. When tested for antimicrobial production, bacteria of the 12 genera isolated were capable of producing antimicrobial substances. The majority of strains were involved in antagonistic interactions and inhibitory activities were also observed against bacteria of medical importance. It was more pronounced in some isolated genera (Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Photobacterium, Shewanella and Vibrio). These findings suggest that chemical antagonism could play a significant role in shaping bacterial communities within Oscarella, a genus classified as low-microbial abundance sponge. Moreover, the identified strains may contribute to the search for new sources of antimicrobial substances, an important strategy for developing therapies to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. This study was the first to investigate the diversity and antagonistic activity of bacteria isolated from Oscarella spp. It highlights the biotechnological potential of sponge-associated bacteria.

Marine sponges are sessile and filter-feeding organisms that harbor dense and diverse microbial communities of considerable ecological and biotechnological importance. They represent an important target for the study of bacterial interactions in marine ecosystems. The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of antagonistic interactions among the culturable microbial communities associated with sponges from the Brazilian coast. The specimens were collected over six years at Cagarras Archipelago, Praia Vermelha Beach and Urca square, Rio de Janeiro State, SE Brazil. Fifty-six bacterial isolates representing four classes of cultivable sponge-associated bacteria were studied for their ability to produce inhibitory substances. Antagonistic interactions occurred among isolates from both, the same and different sponge species. Most isolates (98.2%) were able to inhibit growth of at least one indicator bacterium. In contrast, there were few antagonistic interactions among bacteria obtained from the same sponge specimen. Our results suggest that chemical antagonism could play a significant role in shaping the bacterial communities within sponge tissues.

In this study, we describe a new species of Latrunculia (Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from shallow waters in Rio de Janeiro, south-eastern Brazil. Latrunculia (Biannulata) janeirensis sp. nov. is cushion-shaped, brown in color, with raised oscular papillae and spherical or fungiform areolate porefields, a confused choanosomal skeleton without spicule tracts, and small styles. The developmental stages of the anisodiscorhabds have a thin axis and four whorls with irregular, non-ramified rays. The manubrium and the median whorl are only slightly larger than the apical and subsidiary whorls, making the spicule appear almost symmetrical. Fully developed anisodiscorhabds have a stout axis; the apical whorl is ramified, spined, with leaf-like rays. The manubrium is larger and smoother than the apical whorl, and the median and subsidiary whorls have pointed, spined rays fused only at their bases. This is the first species of Latrunculia described from Rio de Janeiro State and the second from Brazil. This new record extends the distribution of the subgenus Biannulata to the south-western Atlantic.

Holacanthus ciliaris is an important benthic-feeding reef fish but the relationship between the composition of its diet and prey availability is still unknown. Here we determined the quantitative composition of the gut contents of H. ciliaris in São Pedro e São Paulo Archipelago, Brazil (SPSPA), and compared it to the abundance of benthic organisms in the area. Holacanthus ciliaris has a relatively diversified diet with more than 30 prey species in SPSPA, especially sponges (13 spp., average 68% of gut contents total weight), algae (12 spp., 25%) and bryozoans (3 spp., 5%). In contrast, the benthic community is composed mainly of algae (average 81% of total cover) and followed by sponges (13%), bryozoans (5%), cnidarians (0.5%), polychaetes (0.5%) and tunicates (0.5%). The most common species were the algae Caulerpella ambigua and Caulerpa racemosa var. peltata; the bryozoan Margaretta buski; and the sponges Scopalina ruetzleri, Chondrosia collectrix and Clathria calla. The Manly resource selection function showed that H. ciliaris preferred the sponges Geodia neptuni, Erylus latens, Clathria calla and Asteropus niger, among others, and avoided common species such as the sponges Scopalina ruetzleri, Dysidea etheria and Hemimycale insularis and the algae Caulerpella ambigua, Bryopsis plumosa and Neomeris annulata. Kendall's rank correlation index showed no significant correlation between prey abundance in the field and in the diet of H. ciliaris, which seems to actively choose relatively rare and less defended prey.

Grazing by reef fishes is among the most important biotic factors controlling the structure of benthic communities in coral reefs and tropical rocky shores (e.g., HIXON, 1983). Exclusion experiments have widely demonstrated that fish grazing is a key factor determining algal abundance, with direct and indirect effects on corals and other competing benthic organisms (e.g., SAMMARCO, 1983; LEWIS, 1986; HUGUES et al., 2007). Grazer exclusion reduces the resilience of coral reefs in face of disturbances such as hurricanes, bleaching events, and climate change (HUGUES et al., 2007; MUMBY, 2009). Underwater observations and palatability, caging and transplantation experiments indicate that grazing by reef fish also has strong influence on the abundance, distribution and shape of sponges (PAWLIK, 1998; WULFF, 2000; RUZICKA; GLEASON, 2009; LOH; PAWLIK, 2009). Angelfishes (family Pomacanthidae) are very common and conspicuous reef fishes with a circum-global distribution on tropical and warm temperate reefs. Pomacanthids feed mainly on the structurally resilient and firmly attached benthic prey items avoided by most predators (KONOW; BELLWOOD, 2005). Sponges are the dominant item in the diet of several species of the genera Holacanthus and Pomacanthus, which are therefore often called spongivorous, while algae are usually a secondary item (e.g., RANDALL; HARTMAN, 1968; HOURIGAN et al., 1989; WULFF, 1994; VERDIN et al., 2010). The diet of adult Western Atlantic angelfishes has only been studied in a few localities in the Caribbean (RANDALL; HARTMAN, 1968; HOURIGAN et al., 1989; WULFF, 1994; DUNLAP; PAWLIK, 1996; PAWLIK, 1998; SWEARINGEN; PAWLIK, 1998). In the South-western Atlantic only juveniles have been studied (SAZIMA et al., 1999; ANDREA et al., 2007). Francini-Filho and Moura (2010) observed the feeding of adult Pomacanthus arcuatus and P. paru on the zoanthid Palythoa caribaeorum in Abrolhos, without giving any attention to other items of their diet. Ferreira et al. (2004) and Ruzicka and Gleason (2008) stressed the need to determine the extent of geographical variation in diet composition of spongivorous reef fishes, including angelfishes, to better understand the latitudinal variation of predation and herbivory intensity on Western Atlantic coral reefs. However, virtually nothing is yet known about the feeding habits of South-western Atlantic adult angelfishes. The French angelfish Pomacanthus paru inhabits coral reefs and rocky shores from Florida (USA) to Santa Catarina State (Southern Brazil) (e.g., RANDALL; HARTMAN, 1968; FERREIRA et al., 2004). Due to its high abundance, colour pattern and large size, it is one of the most conspicuous and recognizable species of the family Pomacanthidae in the Caribbean (DELOACH, 1999). In Brazil P. paru is the most abundant angelfish and shows a patchy distribution, with peaks of abundance in Parcel Manoel Luis (0.52

Objectives An aqueous extract and fraction from the marine sponge Petromica citrina have antibacterial activity. We performed a chemical and biological characterization of the antibiotic substance from P. citrina and investigated its mode of action on Staphylococcus aureus cells. Methods The inhibitory activity of the aqueous extract of P. citrina was determined against 14 bacteria belonging to type strains and clinical antibiotic-resistant strains. The aqueous extract was fractionated under bioassay guidance and the bioactive substance was identified by its (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR and mass spectra. The MIC and the MBC of this substance were determined. This substance was also subjected to cytotoxic bioassays. The mode of action on S. aureus cells was investigated by light and transmission electron microscopy analysis. Results P. citrina showed a large spectrum of activity against type strains and resistant-bacteria such as S. aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Mycobacterium fortuitum and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The aqueous extract was fractionated and halistanol trisulphate (24e,25-dimethylcholestane-2β,3α,6α-triol trisodium sulphate) was isolated for the first time from P. citrina. Halistanol trisulphate had a bactericidal effect on exponentially growing S. aureus cells at the MIC (512 mg/L). Cytotoxicity biossays showed moderate toxicity against cancer cell line L929 (fibrosarcoma). This substance apparently acts by damaging the cell membrane, with subsequent cell lysis. Conclusions Halistanol trisulphate is a broad-spectrum antibiotic isolated from P. citrina with a mode of action involving disruption of the cytoplasmic membrane. It is a new candidate for research on antibacterial substances.

Three new species ofStrongylacidonfrom north-east Brazil are described:Strongylacidon oxychaetumsp. nov. andStrongylacidon solangeaesp. nov. from Bahia State, andStrongylacidon chelospinatasp. nov. from Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Pernambuco State.Strongylacidon oxychaetumsp. nov. has thinly encrusting shape with lobate projections, strongyles, oxychaetes and arcuate chelae;S. solangeaesp. nov. is characterized by having massive shape with hispid surface, strongyles and unguiferate chelae; andS. chelospinatasp. nov. present thinly encrusting shape, strongyles, and arcuate isochelae with large spines on the outer edge of the axis. An identification key for the nine valid species ofStrongylacidonfrom the Tropical Western Atlantic is provided. New morphological characters, viz., oxychaetes and spined arcuate isochelae (here termed acanthochelae), are added to the definition of the genusStrongylacidonand of the family Chondropsidae.

The ischemic disorders, in which platelet aggregation and blood coagulation are involved, represent a major cause of disability and death worldwide. The antithrombotic therapy has unsatisfactory performance and may produce side effects. So, there is a need to seek molecules with antithrombotic properties. Marine organisms produce substances with different well defined ecological functions. Moreover, some of these molecules also exhibit pharmacological properties such as antiviral, anticancer, antiophidic and anticoagulant properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate, through in vitro tests, the effect of two extracts of brown algae and ten marine sponges from Brazil on platelet aggregation and blood coagulation. Our results revealed that most of the extracts were capable of inhibiting platelet aggregation and clotting measured by plasma recalcification tests, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and fibrinogenolytic activity. On the other hand, five of ten species of sponges induced platelet aggregation. Thus, the marine organisms studied here may have molecules with antithrombotic properties, presenting biotechnological potential to antithrombotic therapy. Further chemical investigation should be conducted on the active species to discover useful molecules for the development of new drugs to treat clotting disorders.

The taxonomy of the genus Tethya from Brazil is revised. Five species are described, four of which are new to science: Tethya maza, T. beatrizae sp. nov., T. nicoleae sp. nov., T. parvula sp. nov., and T. solangeae sp. nov. Five earlier records of Tethya from Brazil (T. aurantium, T. diploderma, T. maza, T. japonica and T. seychellensis) are re-evaluated and only T. maza is confirmed. The other previous records of Tethya from Brazil, viz., Tethya brasiliana, T. cyanae, T. ignis and T. rubra, have been recently described in detail using scanning electron microscopy and are also considered valid. An amendment to the nomenclature of micrasters is made, recognizing at least two different morphologies of each type of micraster (strongylasters types 1 and 2, tylasters types 1 and 2, and oxyasters types 1, 2 and 3). A neotype was designated for T. maza. With four new species described here and four previous records considered invalid the known diversity of Tethya in Brazil still remains nine species. However, its rate of endemism has increased from 44% to 89%.