taxonID	type	description	language	source
03DF87B62962FFDCFF30FD1FCE09FA4C.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Encrusting or massive sponges without triaenes; choanosomal skeleton composed of oxeas irregularly interlaced, ectosomal skeleton formed by a layer of paratangential oxeas generally smaller than those in the choanosome; microscleres are euasters without a centrum; never being spherasters (sensu Uriz 2002).	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B62962FFD2FF30FC15C972FA3B.taxon	description	(Figs. 3 A, 4; Table 2)	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B62962FFD2FF30FC15C972FA3B.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Specimen MNCN-Sp 71 - BV 10 collected from Stn. 10 (Table 1; Fig. 1). Comparative material: Holotype of Jaspis eudermis Lévi & Vacelet, 1957 (MNHN DCL- 738) from Princess Alice Bank, Azores (Stn. 62; 37 º 47 ’ N 29 º 03 ’ W, 330 m deep, 1955 – 1956). Macroscopic description. Creamy white (in alcohol), cushion-shaped sponge, being 45 x 23 mm in size (Fig. 3 A). Consistency firm, but friable. Surface nearly glabrous, covered by a friable, detachable, thick membrane (crust-like), with no discernible aquiferous openings. At the zones where the ectosomal crust is lost, subdermal aquifer canals of up to 1 mm in diameter are evident. Skeleton. Megascleres are oxeas, which seem to occur in two categories. Oxeas I are 1125 – 2000 x 20 – 40 µm and fairly abundant. They are once or twice slightly bent, frequently asymmetric, usually with acerate tips, occasionally blunt (Fig. 4 A – B). Oxeas I showing irregular shapes are also occasional (Fig. 4 C). Oxeas II are 390 – 1500 x 5 – 10 µm, and comparatively quite scarce; they are slightly curved, sometimes centrotylote, and with conical or acerate ends (Fig. 4 A). Microscleres are oxyasters, with 12 – 20 conical, smooth actines (Fig. 4 A, D); their total diameter ranges from 20 to 65 µm, but with no discernible size categories. There is an ectosomal, crust-like skeleton consisting of abundant oxyasters and tangential oxeas (mostly type II) irregularly disposed in small groups. The choanosomal skeleton consists of oxeas in disordered arrangement, along with abundant oxyasters.	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B62962FFD2FF30FC15C972FA3B.taxon	distribution	Distribution and ecology notes. Rare species, previously known only from Azores (eastern North Atlantic). The only specimen herein collected from a gravel bottom at depths of 214 – 290 m provides the first record of the species in the Mediterranean Sea. Taxonomic remarks. Several species of Jaspis occur in the Mediterranean or / and in the adjacent eastern North-Atlantic zone, but most of them have spicules clearly smaller than those of J. eudermis. The only exception is Jaspis incrustans (Topsent, 1890), which has fairly large oxeas that reach 1250 µm in length. Nevertheless, oxyasters of J. incrustans measure only up to 26 µm in total diameter and their actines are clearly spiny rather than smooth (Maldonado 1993). Our material fits reasonably the only brief description available for J. eudermis, which corresponds to the holotype, a fragmentary, 2 x 2 x 1 cm, cushion-shaped sponge. It was reported to have a single category of 1200 – 1650 x 45 µm oxeas (versus two in our specimens) and 35 – 45 µm oxyasters. The oxyasters were pictured by Lévi & Vacelet (1958) as having more than 10 actines with a smooth (not spiny) surface. Our revision of the holotype indicates that there are indeed two size categories of oxeas, discernible not only because of their thickness (1225 – 1725 x 30 – 60 µm and 660 – 850 x 8 – 10 µm, with some occasional transitional stage), but also because of their shape, being the smaller category isodiametric and more markedly curved than the fusiform oxeas of the larger category. This reinterpretation of the oxea size distribution brings our specimen and the holotype in full skeletal agreement, as they also share the general traits of the macroscopic morphology and skeletal architecture. Furthermore, they both are the only Jaspis material in the Atlantic-Mediterranean region having large, " smooth " oxyasters with more than eleven actines. In this regard, our SEM re-examination of the holotype provides new interesting information. The oxyasters of the holotype measure 30 – 55 µm in total diameter and have 16 to 20 actines. Most of the actines are entirely smooth (Fig. 4 E), as it also happens consistently in the Alboranian specimen (Fig. 4 D). Nevertheless, under high SEM magnification approximately 20 % of the oxyasters of the holotype show subtle microspines in one or more of their actines (Fig. 4 F). In very few occasions, large, isolated spines also occur (Fig. 4 E). Therefore, the " smooth " nature of the actines of J. eudermis is to be assessed in further detail when more specimens are collected.	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B6296CFFD2FF30FBA1CA47FC4D.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Hemiasterellidae with vasiform, plate-like, flattened branching or massive growth form; choanosomal and peripheral skeletons are loosely organized, vaguely plumoreticulate, without apparent axial compression or differentiation between axial and extra-axial regions. The spicule complement consists of styles and / or oxeas without functional arrangement to any particular part of skeleton and euasters predominantly located in peripheral region of the sponge but not forming a surface crust. The euasters typically show thick, acanthose, strongylote, curved, asymmetrical or branching actines; sometimes calthrop-like, reduced in number to 2 – 4 actines (sensu Hooper 2002 a).	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B6296CFFD1FF30FA2BC87BFEE9.taxon	description	(Figs. 3 B, 5; Table 2)	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B6296CFFD1FF30FA2BC87BFEE9.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Four specimens collected: MNCN-Sp 66 - BV 21 from Stn. 21; MNCN-Sp 04 - DR 29 from Stn. 29 m; and MNCN-Sp 20 - BV 33 A & B from Stn. 33 (Table 1, Fig. 1). Macroscopic description. Specimens with columnar shape, measuring 5 – 15 x 4 – 7 mm (Fig. 3 B). The individuals are settled on rock pieces, over which slightly expand their base. The surface shows irregularly shallow folds and grooves, mostly running parallel to the longest body axis. The ectoderm is membrane-like and bears a sparse and uneven hispidation. Pore-like aquiferous openings are visible, especially in the lower half of the body. Color is bright to creamy white both in life and after preservation in ethanol. Skeleton. Megascleres are styles, measuring 1316 – 2250 x 10 – 30 µm. They are straight, markedly curved, or just with a slight asymmetrical curvature (Fig. 5 A – B). The round end of the styles may also be in a stronglyoxea fashion; the pointing end is regularly acerate or, less frequently, stepped, not very sharp (Fig. 5 A – C). Styles with both ends modified into oxea are very rare (e. g., one of 1825 x 10 µm per slide) or absent, depending on the individuals. Microscleres are abundant spherostrongylasters, with only a moderately developed centrum and 10 – 15 strongylote, slightly conical, spiny actines (Fig. 5 A, C – E). Spines are more dense toward the end of the actines. Spherostrongylasters range from 14 to 23 µm in total diameter. The skeletal arrangement shows no axial condensation. Ascending plumose pauci- or multispiculate tracts of styles ramify below the ectosome and may end in plumose tufts that make an hispid surface. There is scarce spongin connecting and packing the spicules in the tracts. Spherostrongylasters are very abundant overall the skeleton, but especially at the periphery, where they make a layer reinforcing the ectosome.	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B6296CFFD1FF30FA2BC87BFEE9.taxon	distribution	Distribution and ecology notes. Rare species, previously known only from its holotype collected at Cape Verde Islands, eastern North Atlantic (Topsent 1928). The herein collected individuals provide the first record of the species for the Mediterranean Sea. All the collected specimens inhabited 93 to 173 m deep, soft bottoms rich in organogenic gravel, occasionally mixed with pieces of dead rhodoliths. Taxonomic remarks. The collected specimens bear overall similarity with the holotype described by Topsent (1928). Nevertheless, some morphological differences occur. The holotype shows two incipient branches, while the Alboranian specimens show no sign of branching. Another difference is that the Alboranian individuals have thinner styles (10 – 30 µm) than the holotype (25 – 60 µm). Hemiasterella aristoteliana Voultsiadou-Koukoura & Van Soest, 1991, the only Hemiasterella representative recorded in the Mediterranean previously, occurs in the northern Aegean Sea. Although it has also styles and strongylasters as the only spicule types, the species is clearly distinguishable from H. elongata, because the former has much longer styles (1800 – 3000 x 18 – 37 µm) and its asters are commonly reduced to forms with only 1 to 3 actines (Voultsiadou-Koukoura & van Soest 1991). As noted by Topsent (1928), there are some similarities between H. elongata and Hemiasterella vasiformis (Kirkpatrick, 1903) from South Africa. Nevertheless, the latter has a caliculate body shape, many styles becoming tylostyles and strongyles, and a bit larger asters (up to 30 µm of diameter) (Kirkpatrick 1903). Together with the Antarctic Hemiasterella digitata Burton, 1929, H. elongata shows an uncommon shape within the genus, but that of H. digitata is better described as palmo — digitate, with a surface strongly hispid in small patches and neither oscules nor pores visible (Burton 1929).	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B6296EFFD0FF30FE95C87FFCB9.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Ramose, bushy or lamellate habit. Surface generally smooth, with choanosomal spicules projecting slightly. Oscules, when visible, with stellate morphology (i. e., superficial canals leading to opening ‘ imprinted’ in superficial skeleton). Ectosome without specialized skeleton. Choanosomal skeleton differentiated in axial and extra-axial regions; axial skeleton compressed or vaguely reticulated. Extra-axial skeleton plumose or plumoreticulate. Megascleres styles, or styles and oxeas, or oxeas; when both present, one type may be rare; modifications of megascleres common in several species. Microscleres, if present, microraphides and raphides, mostly in tightly packed trichodragmata (sensu Alvarez & Hooper 2002).	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B6296EFFD0FF30FE95C87FFCB9.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Recent molecular work based on 18 S rRNA, 28 S rRNA, and CO 1 has suggested that the genus Axinella is polyphyletic, containing at least two major clades (Gazave et al. 2010; Morrow et al. 2012). One of the clades? the proper " Axinella clade "? revolves around the type species, Axinella polypoides Schmidt, 1862, while the other, which includes species such as Axinella damicornis (Esper, 1794), Axinella verrucosa (Esper, 1794), and Axinella corrugata (George & Wilson, 1919), shows greater affinities to agelasid sponges than to the A. polypoides clade. The name " Cymbaxinella clade " has been proposed to allude these latter molecular-based group, following the phylocode (Gazave et al. 2010). As no morphological synapomorphies can be found to decide when an " Axinella - like " species should be allocated to the " Cymbaxinella " clade or the " Axinella " clade (Gazave et al. 2010), whenever the molecular information is not available for a species, a serious practical gap rises between the phylocode proposal and the traditional Linnean classification. Subsequent work based on 28 S rRNA and CO 1 molecular markers has revealed that the " Axinella - like " members of the " Cymbaxinella " clade are closer to encrusting species, such as Hymerhabdia typica Topsent, 1892 (formerly in Bubaridae) and Prosuberites spp. (formerly in Suberitidae), than to Agelas spp. On those arguments, a new family Hymerhabdiidae was erected in the Order Agelasida to assemble together Prosuberites spp., Hymerhabdia spp., those " Axinella " species in the " Cymbaxinella " clade, and some species formerly in the genus Stylissa (Morrow et al. 2012). But again, no morphological clues have been provided to decide in the absence of molecular information when either a newly described or an old, revisited " Axinella-like " species could belong to this new family. Tentatively, Morrow and coworkers (2012) have suggested that " true Axinella " species, such as A. polypoides, have raphides in trichodragmata, while those in the " Cymbaxinella " clade of Agelasida " apparently lack this spicule type ". Following this tentative argument, we cannot rule out the possibility that at least one of new species herein described as Axinella but lacking raphides (i. e., Axinella alborana nov. sp.) could be reallocated into another genus in the future if newly collected specimens can ever be analyzed by molecular methods and the emerging molecular clades are finally given taxonomic status. Likewise, this could also be the case of the rare Axinella vellerea Topsent, 1904, which is herein morphologically revisited in detail.	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B6296EFFC9FF30FA48CFE5FFAE.taxon	description	(Figs. 6 A – C, 7; Tables 2, 3, 4)	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B6296EFFC9FF30FA48CFE5FFAE.taxon	etymology	Etymology. This species is named after the Alboran Island, where it occurs abundantly.	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B6296EFFC9FF30FA48CFE5FFAE.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Holotype MNCN-Sp 155 - DR 44 A from type locality Stn. 44 (Table 1, Fig. 1), a rocky bottom at depths of 135 to 152 m on the Alboran Island shelf. Thirty-three paratypes designated: MNCN- Sp 03 DR 05 A to C from Stn. 5; MNCN-Sp 13 - DR 07 A & B from Stn. 7; MNCN-Sp 14 - BV 13 A & B from Stn. 13; MNCN-Sp 34 - BV 14 A to F from Stn. 14; MNCN-Sp 19 - DR 29 A to D from Stn. 29 m; MNCN-Sp 146 - BV 33 A to N from Stn. 33; MNCN-Sp 191 - BV 41 from Stn. 41; and MNCN-Sp 155 - DR 44 B from Stn. 44 (Table 1, Fig. 1). Comparative material: Syntype material of Axinella flustra (Topsent, 1892) = Tragosia flustra Topsent, 1892, since no holotype was designated by Topsent (1892) for this species (Table 3). Syntypes were two specimens (MOM- 040044) from Bay of Biscay (Stn. 58; 43 º 40 ’ N 8 º 55 ’ W, 134 m deep, 7 August 1886) and two specimens (MOM- 040272) from Azores (Stn. 247; 38 º 23.500 ’ N 30 º 20.333 ’ W, 318 m deep, 30 August 1888). Macroscopic description. Erect, stalked, flattened sponge, typically attached to small fragments of rocks or shell fragments (Fig. 6 A – C; Table 4). The stalk is either cylindrical or compressed, no longer than one quarter of the total sponge length, and hardly recognizable in some specimens. The flattened part of the body is flexible and relatively rectangular, except for the apical margin of the lamina that may be irregularly lobate. Some specimens show an incipient, terminal ramification; none is markedly divided nor further branched. The sponges measure 10 – 28 mm in height, with a lamina up to 19 mm in wideness and 1 – 2 mm in thickness. The surface is irregularly hispid, with no aquiferous opening discernible. The color ranges from creamy to reddish orange in life, clearing after preservation in ethanol. Skeleton. Megascleres are styles and oxeas (Table 4). Styles are slightly curved at a third of their length (Fig. 7 A – B), with a regular round end that occasionally forms one or two slight subtyles and / or annular swellings (Fig. 7 C). The pointed end is usually sharp, but rarely blunt ends occur. Styles measure 630 – 2375 x 5 – 20 µm, although two specimens showed a low proportion (<1 %) of abnormally shorter or longer styles, measuring respectively down to 580 µm and up to 3000 µm in length (Table 1). Oxeas are slightly or markedly fusiform, curved once or twice, either symmetrically or asymmetrically (Fig. 7 A, D). Points are usually acerate; anisoxeas are fairly common and variations like mucronate and blunt ends are frequent, depending on the specimen (Fig. 7 D). Occasionally they are centrotylote, with annular or subspherical swellings (Fig. 7 D) being smooth or rarely rugose. They measure 260 – 650 x 5 – 20 µm, but shorter oxeas, down to 180 and 125 µm in length, occur respectively in 2 of the studied specimens. As a rule of thumb, oxeas are more abundant than styles. An axial skeleton is discernible in the stalk, made of ascending compact tracts of oxeas embedded by spongin and crossed by isolated (i. e., not packed) oxeas arranged confusedly. From the axial skeleton, an extra-axial plumoreticulate skeleton emerges, consisting of ascending loose pauci — and multispicular tracts of oxeas reinforced with some spongin (Fig. 7 G). In the extra-axial region, there are isolated inter-crossed oxeas forming a confusing reticule-like arrangement (Fig. 7 H). Long styles, either isolated or in small groups (2 – 4), project outward from the spongin cover of the extra-axial tracts, piercing the sponge surface to make it hispid.	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B6296EFFC9FF30FA48CFE5FFAE.taxon	distribution	Distribution and ecology notes. The individuals were collected at the deep shelf (87 to 173 m) of the Alboran Island, from rocky, detritic-organogenic gravel, and rhodolith bottoms. Taxonomic remarks. No previously known Axinella spp. in the Atlantic-Mediterranean area have characteristics similar to those of the new species (Table 3). The external morphology of A. alborana nov. sp. bears some external resemblance to A. flustra (Fig. 6 H – J), especially to Topsent's (1904) syntypes from Stn. 247 (Fig. 6 H – I). Nevertheless, both species strongly differ skeletally, having A. flustra trichodragmata and shorter oxeas (Table 3). Axinella vaceleti Pansini, 1984 is also a flabellate species, but with a marked fan-shaped, undulating lamina, which is also larger (50 – 60 mm high) and thicker (4 – 5 mm) than that of the A. alborana nov. sp. specimens. Additionally, A. vaceleti has smaller spicules, specially the styles, ranging from 270 to 1450 µm (Pansini 1984). Specimens of Axinella alborana nov. sp. were investigated for the first time about twenty years ago, as part of a study on the deep-shelf Alboranian sponges carried out by Maldonado (1993). Nevertheless, no description of material was published at that time because of the risk that the small individuals now described as A. alborana nov. sp. might correspond to juvenile stages of some poorly known, large Axinella spp. growing at the ill-known deep shelf. However, our recent exploration of those deep-shelf habitats using an ROV has revealed that there is no dense population of any other large Axinella spp. in the areas where A. alborana nov. sp. occurs. In the light of these findings, the idea that the dense undergrowth of small individuals might correspond to juvenile sponges makes no sense and these small sponges can indeed be identified as adults of A. alborana nov. sp.	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B62977FFCEFF30F948C968FA5E.taxon	description	(Figs. 6 D – G, 8; tables 2, 3, 5)	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B62977FFCEFF30F948C968FA5E.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The species is named after the " spatula " tool (a diminutive form of the Latin " spatha "), which bears resemblance to the external shape of the specimens.	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B62977FFCEFF30F948C968FA5E.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Holotype MNCN-Sp 145 - BV 33 B collected from type locality Stn. 33 (Table 1, Fig. 1), a 134 to 173 m deep, gravel bottom at the deep shelf of the Alboran Island. Twenty-two paratypes designated: MNCN-Sp 28 - BV 14 A to C from Stn. 14; MNCN-Sp 116 - BV 15 A to I from Stn. 15; MNCN-Sp 57 - BV 21 A to C (blackish specimens) and MNCN-Sp 65 - BV 21 A & B from Stn. 21; MNCN- Sp 145 - BV 33 A & C to D from Stn. 33; MNCN-Sp 188 - BV 41 A & B from Stn. 41 (Table 1, Fig. 1). Comparative material: Syntype material of Axinella flustra (Topsent, 1892) = Tragosia flustra Topsent, 1892, since no holotype was designated by Topsent (1892) for this species (Table 3). Syntypes were two specimens (MOM- 040044) from Bay of Biscay (Stn. 58; 43 º 40 ’ N 8 º 55 ’ W, 134 m deep, 7 August 1886) and two specimens (MOM- 040272) from Azores (Stn. 247; 38 º 23.500 ’ N 30 º 20.333 ’ W, 318 m deep, 30 August 1888). Macroscopic description. Erect, flabellate sponges (Fig. 6 E – G; Table 5). They are 35 – 100 mm in height, with a basal stalk-like region in which the lamina progressively increases in wideness from the attachment point up to about 1 / 4 of the height, where it becomes approximately rectangular (3 – 9 mm in wideness). The lamina is thin (1 – 1.5 mm) and flexuous. It can be undivided, or, in some individuals, forming two or three flattened branches, all with a regular apical margin (Fig. 6 E). The sponge surface is porous to the dissecting microscope, largely and irregularly hispid. Most collected individuals are pale orange when alive, turning into yellowish white to beige after ethanol preservation. Nevertheless, three of the specimens show remarkable color dissimilarity, being dark brown to black, at least after preservation in ethanol (Fig. 6 F – G). Some of these blackish specimens (part of the paratype series) also account for the largest sizes (up to 100 mm in height) and have the stalk-like region more flattened than the orange-beige individuals. Skeleton. Megascleres are styles and oxeas (Table 5). Styles occur in a wide variety of size and shape, with abundant intermediate forms that prevent making putative categories. Styles are often slightly curved, either symmetrically or asymmetrically; sometimes they have more than one flexion point and can even be angulated and, more rarely, slightly sinuous (Fig. 8 A – C). The round end is usually regular, occasionally with an annular swelling (Fig. 8 A). The distal end is of variable morphology, from sharp hastate or acerate type to stepped, mucronate, and almost blunt (strongyloxea-like) type (Fig. 8 A). Styles measure 119 – 1400 x 3 – 30 µm, not being further categorizable according to their size. They are also difficult to separate according to their location, but most of those in the choanosomal region are not larger than 550 – 620 x 10 – 20 µm. Styles in the black specimens have a size range (245 – 1400 x 5 – 20 µm) virtually identical to that of the orange-beige individuals, although predominating sizes are usually over 800 x 10 µm. Oxeas, some more abundant than the styles, are also relatively variable in size and shape, but variability ranges are similar among specimens. They can be slightly or markedly curved, once or twice, and symmetrically or asymmetrically (Fig. 8 A, D). Tips are usually acerate or blunt, although mucronate ends also occur (Fig. 8 A). They measure 180 – 750 x 2.5 – 20 µm in the orange-beige specimens and 120 – 500 x 2.5 – 20 µm in blackish individuals. Microscleres in both orange-beige and blackish individuals are raphides in highly packed trichodragmata (Fig. 8 E – F), measuring 22.5 – 35 x 5 – 13.7 µm. Although no evident size difference exists in trichodragmata between orange-beige and blackish individuals, their shape can be flattened or cylindrical in the orange-beige ones (Fig. 8 E), but only cylindrical trichodragmata (Fig. 8 F), and in higher abundance, are found in the blackish ones. The skeletal structure is plumoreticulate. There is an evident axial skeleton in the stalk-like region, built by multispiculate tracts of oxeas. In the thin lamina there is no clear distinction between axial and extra-axial skeleton. Rather, there are pauci — and multispicular, ascending and ramifying tracts, compressed in the sense of the lamina and consisting of mainly oxeas, with sparse styles (Fig. 8 G). These tracts are looser than in the axial skeleton of the stalk, and are connected each other by an irregular reticule that becomes more apparent in the thinnest parts of the lamina. In the three blackish specimens, the styles in the ascending tracts are somewhat more abundant and usually slightly longer than those in the orange-beige specimens. There are peripheral styles with their round end embedded in the tracts, piercing perpendicularly surface and making it hispid. The hispidating styles are usually long and occur isolated or in plumose tufts of up to 7 styles. Trichodragmata are predominantly located near the surface, especially in the blackish specimens. Spongin is abundant in the axial skeleton although it does not entirely embed all the spicules. It occurs moderately in the plumose tracts of the lamina (Fig. 8 G).	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B62977FFCEFF30F948C968FA5E.taxon	distribution	Distribution and ecology notes. All the collected specimens came from gravel bottoms, sometimes with organogenic components, at depths ranging from 93 to 173 m. Taxonomic remarks. Except for color, the morphological and skeletal differences between the orange-beige individuals and the blackish ones are minor (Table 5) and we judged them not enough to support a differentiation into two separated species. Both color varieties share relevant features, such as similar body morphology and plumoreticulate skeleton with the same spicule categories and similar size ranges. In addition to the obvious color differences, it can be noticed: 1) a higher abundance of cylindrical trichodragmata in the blackish individuals; 2) a slightly more organized reticule-like arrangement linking the plumose tracts in the orange-beige individuals; and 3) higher frequencies of short styles in the orange-beige specimens. Even though we are herein assuming that these differences correspond to ill-known aspects of intraspecific variation, we cannot discard that future studies based on molecular features of new collections and / or " in vivo " observations may led to a species split. Trichodragmata similar to those in A. spatula nov. sp. are also found in some other Axinella spp. (Table 3), such as Axinella infundibuliformis (Linnaeus, 1759). Nevertheless, this latter species has a caliculate or fan-like body shape, a plumoreticulate skeleton of oxeas and styles clearly smaller (300 – 600 x 12 – 16 µm), as well as smaller (15 – 20 µm long) trichodragmata (Lendenfeld 1897; Arndt et al. 1935). It is also worth noting that the earliest descriptions of A. infundibuliformis were little accurate and apparently overlooked the small trichodragmata (Johnston 1842; Bowerbank 1866; Hansen et al. 1885; Fristedt 1887). Axinella alba (Descatoire, 1966) also shows trichodragmata, but it is an encrusting species and has oxeas (700 – 1000 x 15 – 18 µm) longer than those of A. spatula nov. sp. Trichodramata and styles also occur in Axinella flustra (Descatoire 1966), but, again, although these styles and trichodragmata are in a size range similar to those of A. spatula nov. sp., the branching body shape (Fig. 6 H – J) and shorter oxeas make A. flustra easily distinguishable (Table 3). Some members of the axinellid genus Dragmacidon Hallman, 1917 (Table 3) bear some vague resemblance to A. spatula nov. sp., namely occurrence of raphides and the absence of a clear axial and extra-axial skeleton differentiation. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses based on 18 SrRNA, 28 S rRNA and CO 1 have brought Dragamacidon species and raphide-bearing Axinella species into a same clade (Gazave et al. 2010; Morrow et al. 2012). Dragmacidon tuberosum (Topsent, 1928) is the only geographically close species in the genus having trichodragmata, but those are distinctive, having the raphides projecting from each side of the packets; besides, this species has shorter styles (Topsent 1928).	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B62970FFCDFF30FC18CA43FBCE.taxon	description	(Figs. 2 B, 9, 10; Tables 2, 3)	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B62970FFCDFF30FC18CA43FBCE.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Thirteen specimens collected from the deep shelf of Alboran Island: MNCN-Sp 51 - DR 05 A & B from Stn. 5; MNCN-Sp 148 - BV 33 from Stn. 33; MNCN-Sp 196 - BV 41 from Stn. 41; MNCN-Sp 142 - DR 44 A to I from Stn. 44 (Table 1, Fig. 1) Comparative material: Syntype material of Axinella vellerea Topsent, 1904 (since no holotype was originally designated by Topsent), consisting of two specimens from Stn. 866 at Azores Islands (38 º 52.833 ’ N 27 º 23.083 ’ W; water depth: 599 m; 2 August 1897), and currently stored at the Monaco Museum (MOM- 040631). Macroscopic description. Specimens are erect, columnar, undivided or with two-tree incipient, lobule-like ramifications (Fig. 9 A – H). The sponges measure 10 – 30 x 5 – 8 mm. The consistency is fleshy but hardly flexible. The surface is irregular, grooved, and porous. In some specimens, the oscules can be observed in the translucent epithelium folding the grooves, which run usually vertically, parallel to the longest axis of the body. The hispidation of the ectosome is short and not very dense, mostly verifiable under the dissecting microscope. The animal color in ethanol is ochre or pale brown. Skeleton. Megascleres are only styles and, in some individuals, a very low number of oxeas. Styles occur in a wide range of shapes and sizes, but without making discernible categories. They are slightly curved to somewhat angulate, some curved nearly the round end, similarly to rhabdostyles (Fig. 10 A – B). The round end may be regular, but subtyles and annular swellings are also common, either in terminal or subterminal position (Fig. 10 A – C). The point is usually acerate, but sometimes stepped or even blunt (Fig. 10 A). Spicule malformations occasionally occur as well. Styles measure 470 – 1725 x 11 – 30 µm, but diameters smaller than 15 µm are uncommon. Some scattered oxeas have been observed in some specimens, in which case they are angulated or have a two-point curvature (Fig. 10 D), sometimes asymmetrical; they may also be centrotylote. When present, they measure 700 – 1120 x 5 – 20 µm. The skeletal arrangement consists of a somewhat central, compressed, plumoreticulate axis from which a plumoreticulate extra-axial skeleton spreads (Fig. 10 E). The ascending extra-axial tracts become thinner as they reach the surface, and their terminal styles pierce the ectosome causing hispidation. Moderate spongin embeds the spicules but without forming fibres (Fig. 10 F); spongin becomes less abundant in the extra-axial region.	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B62970FFCDFF30FC18CA43FBCE.taxon	distribution	Distribution and ecology notes. The individuals were collected from depths ranging from 102 to 173 m, on rock, gravel or dead rhodolith pieces. The collected material makes the first Mediterranean record of this rare species. To date only four specimens had previously been reported: three of them collected from a 599 m deep, gravel bottom at Azores (Topsent 1904), and one from 200 – 290 m depths at the Folden fiord of the Norwegian Sea (Burton 1931). Taxonomic remarks. The size of the examined syntypes of A. vellerea (97 x 40 mm and 45 x 18 mm) is slightly larger than that of any of the Alboranian individuals, being the remaining aspects of the external morphology notably similar between both specimen groups (Fig. 9 A – H). The largest syntype also shows two branches better developed (Fig. 9 F – G) than the incipient branches often characterizing the Alboranian individuals (Fig. 9 A – E). Regarding the spicules, the Alboranian specimens and the syntypes of A. vellerea show styles in nearly identical size and shape ranges (Table 3). A small skeletal difference is that oxeas are not found in neither the original description by Topsent (1904) nor in our re-examination of the syntypes. Burton (1931) did report occasional " oxeote styles " in his Norwegian specimen. In the Alboranian, specimens, we found oxeas in only a minority of individuals and always in low abundance. Therefore, the oxeas appear to be a variable element in the spicule complement of A. vellerea, as it is also the case of other Axinella spp. As previously noticed by Topsent (1904), A. vellerea and Axinella vasonuda Topsent, 1904 bear similarity in both their external morphology and the skeletal organization. Nevertheless, A. vasonuda is characterized by having oxeas as main spicule type, showing only scarce styles, the occurrence of which is limited to the peripheral zones of the skeleton.	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B62972FFCCFF30F924CA29FEED.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Monotypic genus of Bubaridae, characterized by stalked and flabellate body shape, possessing long hispidating styles and a plumoreticulate internal skeleton made of choanosomal rhabdostyles, oxeas, and strongyles, with smooth and spiny forms co-occurring. Microscleres are raphides in trichodragmata (genus diagnosis herein redefined after Rhabdobaris being restituted as a valid genus; not a junior synonym of Cerbaris Topsent, 1898).	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B62972FFCCFF30F924CA29FEED.taxon	discussion	Remarks. See the " Taxonomic remarks " section of Rhabdobaris implicata for further discussion and concerns about the morphological affinity of the herein restituted genus Rhabdobaris and members of the family Raspailiidae.	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B6297DFFC0FF30FF20CBF9FD5B.taxon	description	(Figs. 11 A – B, 12; Table 2) Synonymy. Cerbaris implicatus (Pulitzer-Finali, 1983): Alvarez & Van Soest 2002, 751 – 752.	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B6297DFFC0FF30FF20CBF9FD5B.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Only one individual (MNCN-Sp 23 - BV 14) collected from Stn. 14 (Table 1, Fig. 1), a 96 – 100 m deep, gravel bottom on the deep shelf of the island. The collected individual is herein designated the neotype, given that the previously available holotype specimen was entirely acid-dissolved to obtain a spicule slide. We are reasoning herein (see the Taxonomic remarks section) that type material in which the macroscopic body features and the skeletal arrangement can be evaluated is crucial to recognize the distinct nature of the monotypic genus Rhabodobaris within the family Bubaridae and, therefore, to support the nomenclatorial restitution of the genus. These " exceptional circumstances " strongly advice the neotype designation to preserve the stability of the nomenclature, following article 75 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Comparative material: Original holotype of Rhabdobaris implicata Pulitzer-Finali, 1983. The only available material of the original holotype is the spicule slide (MSNG- 47170) resulting from boiling in nitric acid the small specimen collected off Calvi, N-W of Corse, at 121 – 149 m depth (Pulitzer-Finali 1983). Macroscopic description. Stalked, flabellate sponge (Fig. 11 A – B), with a thin lamina measuring 15 mm long x 25 mm wide x 1 mm thick; the stalk, somewhat compressed, measures 7 mm in length x 2.5 mm in wideness. There are 3 and 4 reinforcement ribs at each side of the lamina (Fig. 11 A – B), making the lamina poorly flexible. There are no aquiferous openings discernible to the naked eye. The surface of the lamina is markedly hispid, with long spicules protruding uniformly at moderated density. The stalk is less hispid. The color of the alcoholpreserved specimen is creamy white. Skeleton. Megascleres are in seven categories: long hispidating styles, rhabdostyles, oxeas, styrongyles, acanthoxeas, acanthostyles, acanthostrongyles. Microscleres are raphides in trichodragmata. Hispidating styles are long, gently conical, nearly straight or softly curved, with a regular round end and a sharp, acerate or hastate point (Fig. 12 A – B). They are 754 – 1557 µm long and 8 – 16 µm wide. Rhabdostyles have a slight to marked curvature on their first ¼ of their length (Fig. 12 A, C), rarely becoming regular styles. Other variations occurring in the rhabdostyles are annular or irregular swellings in the vicinity of the round end and polyaxial malformations in the vicinity of the pointing end (Fig. 12 C); the points can be acerate, stepped, or even bifid (Fig. 12 A). Rhabdostyles measure 137 – 304 x 5 – 13 µm, although some thinner, growing stages (Fig. 12 A) can occasionally be observed, measuring 107 – 212 x 3 – 6 µm. Oxeas are isodiametric, in a wide range of morphologies, showing from one to three flexion points, and more asymmetrical (Fig. 12 A, E); they can occasionally be centrotylote, sometimes with the swelling placed asymmetrically. Oxea ends are acerate, conical, mucronate or stepped, with bifid and polyaxonic malformations also occurring (Fig. 12 A, E). Oxeas measure 222 – 405 x 5 – 10 µm, although, as it happens in the rhabdostyles, thinner growing stages (Fig. 12 A) measuring 185 – 285 x 1 – 3 µm occasionally occur. Strongyles are curved once or twice, regularly or irregularly (Fig. 12 A), occasionally symmetrically or asymmetrically centrotylote, measuring 160 – 310 x 14 – 15 µ. Strongyles are clearly less abundant than rhabdostyles and oxeas. The rhabdostyles, the oxeas and the strongyles have " acanthose versions ", which usually are slightly smaller and less abundant than their respective smooth counterparts. Acanthorhabdostyles measure 125 – 187 x 6 – 11 µm and show from scarce to abundant small spines, equally or unequally distributed along the spicule and not necessarily confined to one of the ends (Fig. 12 D). Acanthoxeas measure 120 – 280 x 7 – 9 µm and show few to abundant spines, often more concentrated towards the ends (Fig. 12 A, F). In few acanthoxeas, the spines were relatively thick and blunt, becoming a sort of tubercles. Acanthostrongyles measure 129 – 409 x 5 – 12 µm, being entirely or partially spiny (Fig. 12 A). Microscleres are toxiform raphides, occurring in trichodragmata (Fig. 12 A, H) that measure 22 – 50 x 10 – 20 µm. The skeletal architecture is plumoreticulate. The stalk contains a compact plumoreticulate skeleton with ascending multispiculate tracts including all categories of choanosomal megascleres (i. e., except the long hispidating styles) embedded in moderate spongin. Nevertheless, in order not to damage the stalk, we only sampled a tiny peripheral portion of stalk tissue and cannot discard the occurrence of a pure axial skeleton in its central region. In the lamina, the ascending tracts ramify and reticulate irregularly, compressed in the plane of the lamina; there are also free oxeas and styles arranged obliquely to the ascending tracts. Long hispidating styles with their round end embedded in the ascending tracts protrude largely the surface of the sponge at the lamina. Additionally, among the long hispidating styles, there is also a short, dense and uniform hispidation caused mostly by nonacanthose rhabdostyles and oxeas. Likewise, the hispidation of the stalk is only due to these shorter spicules, lacking the long hispidating styles.	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B6297DFFC0FF30FF20CBF9FD5B.taxon	distribution	Distribution and ecology notes. Rare species, only known previously from the holotype (Pulitzer-Finali 1983), a specimen collected at 121 – 149 m, off Calvi (Corse Island, Western Mediterranean). Our Alboranian specimen, collected from a 96 – 100 m deep, gravel bottom with a very rich associated invertebrate fauna, provides the second record of the species in the Mediterranean. Taxonomic remarks. The body shape and the spicule complement of the newly collected material matches notably well with the original description of Rhabdobaris implicata by Pulitzer-Finali (1983), who indicated that it was a new " stipitate " genus in the family Bubaridae. The only difference is that acanthostrongyles (Fig. 12 G) are more abundant than acanthoxeas in the holotype, while it is the opposite in the Alboranian individual. The genus Rhabdobaris Pulitzer-Finali, 1983 was declared a junior synonym of Cerbaris by Alvarez & Van Soest (2002) on the argument that they both share the occurrence of acanthose diactines in the basal, choanosomal skeleton. However, the features of the newly collected individual of R. implicata make clear that it does not fit the genus diagnosis of Cerbaris provided by Alvarez & Van Soest (2002). Cerbaris, among other traits, is characterized by encrusting sponges, with a choanosomal skeleton consisting of a basal layer of acanthose and smooth diactines and monactines projecting perpendicularly to the substratum. Therefore, the current diagnosis of Cerbaris reflects several major mismatches relative to the features of Rhabdobaris implicata: 1) R. implicata is a stalked, flabellate sponge (Fig. 11 A – B), rather than an encrusting form; 2) the skeleton is not a basal layer, but consists of a plumoreticulate structure of ascending tracts; 3) it lacks the distinct ceroxas (M-shaped oxeas) of Cerbaris; 4) Rhabdobaris implicata has acanthostyles in great abundance, a spicule type often missing in Cerbaris. Altogether, the differences in body shape, spicule complement and skeletal organization advice to re-establish the original genus Rhabdobaris erected by Pulitzler-Finali (1983) in the family Bubaridae. Likewise, the existence of Rhabdobaris makes compulsory a modification of the current definition for family Bubaridae, as it is currently defined by Alvarez & Van Soest (2002) only to host sponges with an encrusting growth habit supported by a basal layer of interlacing choanosomal diactines. A comparison of the spicule complement of our Alboranian specimen to Cerbaris spp. occurring in or near the Western Mediterranean region reveals only vague resemblance to Cerbaris (formerly Bubaropsis) curvisclera (Lévi & Vacelet 1958) from Azores and Cerbaris (formerly Rhabdoploca) curvispiculifer (Carter 1880), originally described from the Indian Ocean (Gulf of Manaar) and subsequently found in Azores (Topsent 1904) and Banyuls (Vacelet 1969). These two latter Cerbaris species are encrusting forms that also lack the plumoreticulate skeleton. In addition, C. curvispiculifer lacks raphides, having a spicule complement that varies across described specimens. For instance, it lacks both smooth and acanthose oxeas in the Indian and North-Atlantic specimens, but not in the Mediterranean material. Cerbaris curvisclera has raphides and smooth oxeas, but lacks any kind of style or acanthostyle. Therefore, R. implicata is clearly distinguishable from these Cerbaris species. Although the genus Rhabdobaris is herein restituted within the original family in which it was erected, that is Bubaridae, there are concerns that Rhabdobaris could be a raspailiid. Indeed, the body shape, the spicule complement, and the general skeletal organization match better the traits characterizing the family Raspailiidae than those of the family Bubaridae. Nevertheless, Rhabdobaris lacks the hispidating bouquets around the long hispidating styles, which typically characterize most — but not all — raspailiids. Therefore, a definitive family assignation may require further inference of the phylogenetic relationships of Rhabdobaris using molecular markers.	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B6297EFFC0FF30FA76CE24FED2.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Prominently hispid, conulose surface, and typically arborescent growth form. Skeleton with marked axial and extra-axial differentiation; axial skeleton with well-developed spongin fibres forming a compressed reticulation, cored by stout choanosomal styles; extra-axial subectosomal skeleton being radial or plumose, with multi- or paucispicular tracts of long subectosomal styles (subgenus Endectyon) or choanosomal styles (subgenus Hemectyon), sometimes connected by unispicular tracts forming hexagonal meshes, usually protruding the surface. Ectosomal skeleton varies from typical raspailiid condition, with thin ectosomal styles grouped in brushes around protruding subectosomal styles (subgenus Endectyon), to surface brushes composed of subectosomal styles only (nominal genus Basiectyon), to brushes of acanthostyles surrounding choanosomal styles (subgenus Hemectyon). Erect brushes of echinating acanthostyles located on the outer margin of the axial skeleton, making a boundary between the extra-axial and axial regions, or forming plumose brushes along the length of the extra-axial tracts, or localized exclusively at the base of the sponge (nominal genus Basiectyon). Structural megascleres are smooth styles of 2 – 3 size categories, along with echinating acanthostyles and / or acanthostrongyles with peculiar strongly curved (clavulate) hooks on the shaft, base, and / or apex. Microscleres are absent (sensu Hooper 2002 b).	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B62979FFC5FF30FF2FCE25F8F6.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Erect, probably undivided (see " Taxonomic Remarks "), growth form. Skeletal organization with recognizable axial, extra-axial and ectosomal regions. Axial skeleton of multispiculate-cored fibres densely reticulated. Extra-axial skeleton consisting of a more lax reticulum of pauci- to multispicular radiating primary tracts intercrossed by uni- to paucispicular secondary tracts. Spongin fibres and tracts of the axial and extra-axial regions are cored by smooth choanosomal styles; the radiating primary tracts of the extra-axial skeleton may be sparsely echinated by acanthostyles, particularly in their subectosomal regions. In the subectosomal region, the peripheral nodes of the extra-axial network serve as basis for small bouquets of longer (subectosomal) styles, which pierce the sponge ectosome to make a long, dense hispidation. At the point where each of these protruding bouquets of styles pierce the sponge ectosome, a surrounding brush consisting mostly of acanthostyles (but also incorporating some choanosomal styles) occurs, being this skeletal trait a distinct character for the subgenus Hemectyon (modified herein to accommodate the features of the new species). Endectyon (Hemectyon) filiformis nov. sp. (Figs. 11 C – D, 13; Table 2)	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B62979FFC5FF30FF2FCE25F8F6.taxon	etymology	Etymology. This species is named after its erect, undivided body shape.	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B62979FFC5FF30FF2FCE25F8F6.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Holotype: Specimen MNCN-Sp 69 BV 21, from type locality Stn. 21 (Table 1, Fig. 1), a 93 to 101 m deep, gravel bottom on the deep shelf of the island. Macroscopic description. Flexible, slender, thread-like sponge, measuring 54 mm in height and 3 mm in diameter, attached to a gravel piece. The surface is densely and markedly hispid (Fig. 11 C – D), with no obvious oscules. The color in life is bright orange, turning into creamy white in ethanol. Skeleton. Megascleres in 4 spicule categories: Subectosomal styles, choanosomal styles, occasional oxeas, and acanthostyles. The subectosomal styles are long and slender, slightly curved at the centre or near the round end, with a regular round end, and an acerate point that can be sometimes softly stepped or, in the thinner growth stages, hastate (Fig. 13 A); they measure 713 – 1465 x 3.2 – 20 µm. The choanosomal styles measure 187.4 – 272.5 x 6.4 – 9 µm, being irregularly curved once or twice, sometimes in a rhabdostyle fashion, with hastate or acerate points (Fig. 13 A – B). These styles may show a slight swelling either near the round end or towards central positions. The oxeas are less common than the previous categories, typically curved at the middle, with sharp conical ends that can be slightly different (Fig. 13 A, C), measuring 234 – 277 x 3 – 9 µm. The acanthostyles are nearly straight or slightly curved and show scarce, large, conical spines. Spines are usually sparse over the spicule length, mostly making a sort of verticillate cluster at the round end, producing a clavulate acanthostyle; the spines very rarely appear around the sharp end of the spicule. The number of spines varies from one to four at the round end and from one to ten over the shaft length, and they can be straight, curved toward the spicule points or in the opposite direction (Fig. 13 A, D). The acanthostyles are far less abundant than the choanosomal styles and measure 114 – 150 x 6 – 7 µm. Axial and extra-axial skeleton are poorly differentiated. The axial skeleton is a relatively more compact reticule of pauci- and multispicular tracts of choanosomal styles surrounded by moderate spongin (Fig. 13 F). The reticule becomes progressively less compact towards the periphery (extra-axial region?) and is built with thinner tracts (pauci- and unispiculate) of choanosomal styles and occasional oxeas. From the periphery of this extra-axial network, groups of 2 to 10, long subectosomal styles project radially (Fig. 13 E), piercing the surface and causing the long hispidation of the surface. At the point where one of these radiating tracts of long subectosomal styles pierces the sponge ectosome, a surrounding brush consisting mostly of acanthostyles (but also incorporating some oxea or choanosomal style) occurs (Fig. 13 E); this skeletal trait is a diagnostic character for the subgenus Hemectyon.	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B62979FFC5FF30FF2FCE25F8F6.taxon	distribution	Distribution and ecology notes. The only individual of Endectyon (Hemectyon) filiformis nov. sp. was collected from a 93 to 100 m deep, organogenic-gravel bottom. Taxonomic remarks. Members of the genus Endectyon are the only raspailiids having echinating acanthostyles with clavulate morphology and located outside the axial skeleton (Hooper 1991; Hooper 2002 b). Within the subgenus Hemectyon, only one species had been described to date: Endectyon (Hemectyon) hamatum (Schmidt, 1870). This species was originally reported from the Caribbean (Schmidt 1870; Topsent 1920). It was subsequently cited from the East Africa (North Kenya) by Pulitzer-Finali (1993), but a revision of that specimen assignation would be advisable, as it contains abundant raphides and the brief skeletal description suggests it to be a raspailiid different from Endectyon spp. The occurrence of acanthostyle brushes surrounding the groups of hispidating styles clearly indicates that the newly described Alboranian material belongs to the subgenus Hemectyon, making the second known species in this subgenus. The differences between E. (H.) hamatum and E. (H.) filifomis nov. sp. are clear: 1) the axial and extraaxial differentiation is less marked in the new species, as well as the differentiation between radiating primary tracts and secondary intercrossing tracts; 2) the primary radiating tracts are only very rarely echinated by the acanthostyles in the new species; 3) the acanthostyles do not have clavulate spines at the round end in E. (H.) hamatum, but they do have them in the new species; 4) The hispidating styles in E. (H.) hamatum are relatively small (220 – 275 x 2 µm) and shorter than those coring the choanosomal fibres and tracts (270 – 615 x 6 – 18 µm), whereas they are notably longer (up to 1465 x 20 µm) in the new species; and 5) the new species contains occasional oxeas, while they do not occur in E. (H.) hamatum. Indeed, oxeas are an uncommon spicule type in Endectyon spp., although occasional modifications of styles into oxeas and strongyles have already been recorded in Endectyon (Endectyon) tenax (Schmidt, 1870) from North Carolina by Wells et al. (1960) and Endectyon (Endectyon) multidentatum (Burton, 1948) from Congo Coast (Burton 1948). To accommodate the skeletal features of this new species, it has been necessary to modify herein the last accepted diagnosis of subgenus Hemectyon, which was proposed by Hooper (2002 b) on the basis of the only species available at that time. An additional reason to revise the subgenus diagnosis is the growth habit. Originally, Hemectyon was erected on a partial sponge fragment that was assumed to be part of a larger, branched individual (Schmidt 1870; Topsent 1920). Ever since, the successive genus diagnoses have included terms such as " rameuse " (Topsent 1920) or " arborescent " (Hooper 2002 b), a branching condition that has never been corroborated objectively. Given that the holotype of E. (H.) hamatum is an undivided cylindrical fragment (23 mm x 3.5) and that the complete holotype of E. (H.) filiformis nov. sp. is also an undivided, digit-like growth form, there is no reason to support any longer that the sponges of the subgenus Hemectyon are arboresecent. Rather, they should be postulated as erect, branchless growth forms, at least until future collections of new material disprove it.	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B6297BFFC5FF30FCA2C971FC03.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Thickly incrusting to massive, tubular growth form, intricately branching, long cylindrical stems irregularly ramified and anastomosing at points of contact (single branches attain a length of about 100 mm), rampant or erect, arising from a common basal portion. Oscules usually numerous, unevenly scattered over the surface and often conspicuous. Surface uneven, membranous, strongly aculeated at intervals of about 2 – 5 mm, sustained by strong, slender, sharp ramified spines, 2 – 3 mm long surface may be also ridged or tuberculate or smooth, and finely hispid or velvety. Texture very hard. Ectosomal skeleton is a tangential network of secondary fibres, free oxeas and abundant sigmas, often interrupted by the ends of the strong primary longitudinal fibres protruding from the choanosomal skeleton to form the spines. Choanosomal skeleton composed of primary longitudinal-radial multispicular and ramified primary fibres, distinct and very compact. Primary fibres form rectangular to rounded meshes, subdivided irregularly by secondary fibres, and mesh containing abundant free spicules. Megascleres consist of robust oxeas with sharp apices. Microscleres are abundant sigmata (sensu Desqueyroux-Fáundez & Valentine 2002).	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B6297BFFC4FF30FAFBCE4EFF5C.taxon	description	(Figs. 14, 15; Table 2) Synonymy. Adocia fayalensis (Topsent, 1892): (Burton 1956,) 145.	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B6297BFFC4FF30FAFBCE4EFF5C.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Specimen MNCN-Sp 137 DR 07 collected from Stn. 7 (Table 1, Fig. 1). Macroscopic description. Ovate, cushion-shaped sponge, attached to a small piece of rhodolith (Fig. 14 A – B). It measures 30 x 20 mm and is fouled around its basal region by a thickly encrusting individual of Haliclona sp. Surface is smooth, consisting of a thin, delicate, translucent membrane. The ectosomal membrane is damaged in many areas of the body, showing a highly cavernous subectosomal tissue. Ectosome damage makes difficult to discriminate the occurrence of oscules from ectosome breakages. The consistency is hard but friable. The color in alcohol is beige. Skeleton. Megascleres are oxeas in a size range that could well represent two categories. The oxeas in the large category measure 280 – 400 x 10 – 15 µm and are slightly curved, typically showing two flexion points (Fig. 15 A – B, E). The ends are acerate, with occasional malformations (Fig. 15 A, C). The oxeas in the small category are less abundant, measure 200 – 270 x 2 – 5 µm, are regularly curved over their entire length (Fig. 15 A, D – E), and have relatively regular hastate ends (Fig. 15 A). Nevertheless, we cannot discard that the smaller oxeas are early developing stages of the larger oxeas. Microscleres are abundant sigmata, 15 – 27 µm in maximum length (Fig. 15 A, E – F). The ectosomal skeleton is a reticule of tangential oxeas made of uni- or paucispicular lines. The choanosomal skeleton is an irregular network (Fig. 15 G) consisting of compact, primary multispicular tracts of oxeas with moderate spongin (Fig. 15 H), which branch and subdivide when running from the deep choanosome towards the periphery. Primary tracts are 250 – 625 µm wide and connect each other by secondary, pauci- or multispicular secondary tracts, which are 125 – 200 µm wide. Microscleres are abundant at the subectosomal region, also occurring in the choanosome, some partially embedded in the oxea tracts.	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
03DF87B6297BFFC4FF30FAFBCE4EFF5C.taxon	distribution	Distribution and ecology notes. Rare species, known from the original description of 5 individuals from Azores (Topsent 1892, 1904), all coming from the Fayal Channel (Azores), growing on gravel bottoms rich in organogenic elements, at depths of 98 – 100 m. The herein described Alboranian specimen, collected from a rhodolith bottom at depths ranging from 109 and 130 m, provides the first record of the species in the Mediterranean Sea. Taxonomic remarks. The spicule complement, the spicule size, and the skeletal organization of the Alboranian individual are strongly similar to those of Gelliodes fayalensis Topsent, 1892. A minor difference is that Topsent (1892) did not split the oxeas of G. fayalensis into two size categories. Nevertheless, we are not completely certain that the smaller oxeas that we are herein describing are a size category themselves; they could rather be early growth stages. The only size data for oxeas in Topsent's description (1892) is 270 x 9 µm, which approximately represents the median of the size range found in the oxeas of the Alboran specimen. All specimens described from Azores by Topsent (1892, 1904) were reported to have several distinct oscules. The preservation condition of our Alboranian specimen did prevent us to discriminate oscules from the frequent ectosomal breakages and, indeed, hindered a relevant comparison in terms of external morphology features.	en	Sitjà, Cèlia, Maldonado, Manuel (2014): New and rare sponges from the deep shelf of the Alboran Island (Alboran Sea, Western Mediterranean). Zootaxa 3760 (2): 141-179, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.2.2
