Esperiopsis macrosigma var. novaezealandiae Dendy, 1924

Van Soest, Rob W. M., 2024, Correcting sponge names: nomenclatural update of lower taxa level Porifera, Zootaxa 5398 (1), pp. 1-122 : 67

Esperiopsis macrosigma var. novaezealandiae Dendy, 1924

( Fig. 7C )

Esperiopsis macrosigma var. novaezealandiae Dendy, 1924: 341, pl. XIII figs. 14–20; Bergquist & Fromont 1988: 27, pl. 6F. Esperiopsis macrosigma f. novaezealandiae ; Lévi & Lévi 1983: 959, fig. 21.

The variety was described by Dendy from Three Kings Islands, New Zealand, 34.1667°S 172.0833°E, depth 183 m (holotype BMNH 1923.10.1.110). It was also reported as forma by Lévi & Lévi (1983: 959, fig. 21) from New Caledonia. It was erected as a Pacific member of the North Atlantic species E. macrosigma Stephens (1916: 235 ; 1921: 9, pl. II fig. 4, from the W coast of Ireland, 50.6167– 50.7°N 11.3– 11.5333°W, depth 457–991 m, syntype in the National Museum of Ireland, Natural History, with type slide BMNH 1953.11.11.81). The existence of a species with such a disjunct distribution ( Ireland vs New Zealand and New Caledonia) is unlikely to be valid, and there are also spicule size differences, notably the isochelae of the Irish variety have a third category much larger (125 µm) than those of the Pacific specimens (60–80 µm). I propose to elevate the Pacific variety to the rank of distinct species as Esperiopsis novaezealandiae Dendy, 1924 .

Figures

FIGURE 7. A. Polymastia isidis var. simplex Hentschel, 1914: pl. V fig. 3, B. Asbestopluma biserialis var. californiana De Laubenfels, 1935: fig. 5, C. Esperiopsis macrosigma var. novaezealandiae Dendy, 1924: pl. XIII figs. 14–20, D. Halichondria flabellifera Bowerbank, 1882: pl. VII figs. 4–10, E. Hymedesmia (Ectyodesmia) mutabilis var. costata Topsent, 1928: pl. VIII figs. 20, 22–23, F. Iophon flabellodigitatus var. gaussi Hentschel, 1914: pl. VI fig.10, G. Iophon pluricornis var. trullifera Hentschel, 1914: pl. VI fig. 9, H. Lissodendoryx isodictyalis var. paucispinosa Topsent, 1928: pl. VIII fig. 11, I. Myxilla mariana var. polysigma Topsent, 1904: pl. XIV figs. 10, J–K. Myxilla rosacea var. japonica Ridley & Dendy, 1887, J. habitus pl. XXVI fig. 3, K. spicules XXVII fig. 8, L. Pytheas rosea var. laevigata Descatoire, 1969b: fig. 4, M. Stylostichon dendyi var. robustum Topsent, 1928: pl. X fig.1.