Amphimedon caribica (Pulitzer­Finali, 1986)

Figs. 4 A–D, Tab. I

Cribrochalina caribica Pulitzer­Finali, 1986: 170 –171, Figs. 82–83. Amphimedon caribica; Lehnert & Van Soest, 1996: 75; 1998: 91; 1999: 161. Further synonymy: see Lehnert & Van Soest (1996).

Examined material. MCNPOR 5344, 72 m, 00°22’N – 44°52’W, 17.VII.2001; MCNPOR 4429, 31 m, 00°20’38”S – 44°17’38”W, 12.VI.1999 (fragment deposited in ZMAPOR 17906); MCNPOR 5108, 31 m, 00º51'44"S – 44º21'24"W, 12.VI.1999; MCNPOR 3792, 80 m, 01°33’81”S – 43°15’87”W, 02.XII.1997 (fragment deposited in ZMAPOR 17908).

Material studied for comparison. Amphimedon caribica (Pulitzer­Finali, 1986): ZMAPOR 13576, material deposited in MCNPOR 6251.

Description. Irregular flabelliform specimen (Fig. 4 A): 9.8 cm long, 0.8 cm width (MCN 4429). Smooth surface, slightly hispid to the touch, oscules circular, 0.3–0.5 cm in diameter, regularly distributed on the surface. Preserved material slightly compressible and firm, colour light brown.

Skeleton. Ectosome: Tangential reticulation, somewhat regular in width, meshes 120–580 µm in diameter (Fig. 4 B). Choanosome: Multispicular fibres, plumose reticulation, slightly elongated; meshes 180–750 µm in diameter, fibres 25–95 µm in diameter (Fig. 4 C).

Spicules. Oxeas (Fig. 4 D): slightly curved, some straight; extremities stepped, sharp pointed to blunt ends, rarely styles. Measurements: 103.5– 156. 4 –186.3 / 4.6– 5. 9 –6.9 µm (MCNPOR 5344); 121.9– 151. 6 –177.1 / 2.3– 3. 1 –4.6 µm (MCNPOR 4429); 130– 177. 2 – 207.5 / 2.5– 3. 3 –5 µm (MCNPOR 5108); 163.3– 194. 3 –220.8 / 2.3– 5. 9 –8.1 µm (MCNPOR 3792).

Remarks. This is the first record of A. caribica from the Brazilian coast. This genus bears a great affinity to Niphates; however, additional details from ectosome and choanosome assures the allocation to Amphimedon, mainly by comparision with Caribbean material. One sample (MCN 5108) is different from the others, by its branching habit and soft consistency.

Distribution. Caribbean: Puerto Rico to Jamaica (Pulitzer­Finali, 1986; Van Soest, 1980). Brazilian coast: Maranhão State (present study).