First deep-sea Hamigera (Demospongiae: Porifera) species associated with Cold-Water Corals (CWC) on antipodal latitudes of the world
Cold-water corals (CWC) are known to be deep-sea biodiversity hotspots, yet there is still a huge knowledge gap regarding their associated fauna. As so, CWC ecosystems pose as a perfect environment for the discovery of new species. In this context two new species of Hamigera (Demospongiae) have been recorded associated with CWC in antipodal parts of the world: Hamigera bibiloniae sp. nov. from the Blanes Canyon (north-western Mediterranean Sea) and Hamigera kellyae sp. nov. from the Clementsville Seamount (Macquire Ridge, New Zeeland). Both species represent first deep-sea records of the previously shallow-water restricted Hamigera, and mostly differ from of the previously considered shallow water genus in their huge spicule size, mostly doubling that of shallow-water congeneric species. Furthermore, the current geographical distribution of Hamigera, being only present in the Mediterranean and Pacific areas, might suggest a Tethyan affinity of H. bibiloniae sp. nov. proposing a potential role of deep-sea habitats as climatic refugees.
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | artículo biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Pergamon Press
2020-10
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| Subjects: | Clementsville Seamount, Blanes Canyon, New species, Porifera, Sponges, Hamigera, Deep-Sea, Cold-Water 30 Corals, ROV, Macquire Ridge, New Zealand, Mediterranean Sea, |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10261/218966 http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100003329 http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100002809 http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100011033 |
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| Summary: | Cold-water corals (CWC) are known to be deep-sea biodiversity hotspots, yet there is
still a huge knowledge gap regarding their associated fauna. As so, CWC ecosystems
pose as a perfect environment for the discovery of new species. In this context two
new species of Hamigera (Demospongiae) have been recorded associated with CWC
in antipodal parts of the world: Hamigera bibiloniae sp. nov. from the Blanes Canyon
(north-western Mediterranean Sea) and Hamigera kellyae sp. nov. from the
Clementsville Seamount (Macquire Ridge, New Zeeland). Both species represent first deep-sea records of the previously shallow-water restricted Hamigera, and mostly
differ from of the previously considered shallow water genus in their huge spicule
size, mostly doubling that of shallow-water congeneric species.
Furthermore, the current geographical distribution of Hamigera, being only present in
the Mediterranean and Pacific areas, might suggest a Tethyan affinity of H. bibiloniae
sp. nov. proposing a potential role of deep-sea habitats as climatic refugees. |
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