taxonID	type	description	language	source
03A087ACFFF09238FF3EFA2315917B50.taxon	materials_examined	Type taxon: Raphiodesma parishii Bowerbank, 1875 accepted as Mycale (Zygomycale) parishii (Bowerbank, 1875).	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFF09238FF3EFC7A1720784A.taxon	diagnosis	Diagonosis. Encrusting, massive, fan-shaped, and branching growth forms. Subectosomal sculpturing, grooves, and ridges are often found on the surface, within which are usually found the ostia. Skeleton plumose or plumoreticulate, composed of styles or rarely oxeas enclosed in spongin fibers or without visible spongin. Ectosomal tangential skeleton usually present. Ectosomal spicules may differ from the choanosomal ones by smaller size. Megascleres most often subtylostyles (mycalostyles), but (aniso) strongyles, oxeas, and exotyles occur occasionally. Microscleres characteristically palmate anisochelae, but also palmate isochelae, sigmas, toxas, spined microxeas and raphides may occur. (Van Soest & Hajdu, 2002).	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFF0923FFF3EF9DB177B7CC1.taxon	materials_examined	Examined Material. UFBA 4125 Port Captaincy (12 ° 58 ’ 27.6 ” S 38 ° 30 ’ 56.6 ” W, Todos-os-Santos Bay, Salvador City, Bahia State, Brazil), col. Hajdu, E., 20. X. 1987, 1 – 2 m depth; UFBA 2637 Todos-os-Santos Bay (12 ° 48 ’ 49.0 ” S 38 ° 29 ’ 24.3 ” W, Salvador City, Bahia State, Brazil), col. uninformed, IV. 2005, 10 m depth; UFBA 2621 Todos-os-Santos Bay (12 ° 48 ’ 49.0 ” S 38 ° 29 ’ 24.3 ” W, Salvador City, Bahia State, Brazil), col. uninformed, 23. IX. 2004, 8 m depth; UFBA 800 Amaralina Beach (13 ° 00 ’ 52.1 ” S 38 ° 28 ’ 10.9 ” W, Salvador City, Bahia State, Brazil), col. Peixinho, S., 26. X. 1987, intertidal; UFBA 802 Port Captaincy (12 ° 58 ’ 27.6 ” S 38 ° 30 ’ 56.6 ” W, Todos-os-Santos Bay, Salvador City, Bahia State, Brasil), col. Hajdu, E., 22. X. 1987, <10 m depth; UFBA 2362 Mataripe (12 ° 43 ’ 12.5 ” S 38 ° 35 ’ 24.0 ” W, São Francisco do Conde City, Bahia State, Brazil), col. Kelmo, F., 12. VI. 1995, intertidal; UFBA 2458 Barra Grande (13 ° 53 ’ 24.0 ” S 38 ° 57 ’ 06.4 ” W, Maraú City, Bahia State, Brazil), col. Andrade, W., VIII. 2004, 16 m depth; UFBA 3977 Camaçari City (12 ° 45 ’ 49.8 ” S 38 ° 06 ’ 34.1 ” W, Bahia, Brazil), col. Andrade, W., 03 / 1994, depth not recorded; UFBA 1128 Ponta do Suape (12 ° 44 ’ 00.0 ” S 38 ° 37 ’ 00.0 ” W, Todos-os-Santos Bay, Madre de Deus City, Bahia, Brazil), Col. Peixinho, S., 02. VI. 1992, intertidal. External Morphology (dimensions of UFBA 1128) Flabelliform arborescent sponge, 13 x 4 cm (height x width), with irregular branches that can be isolated along their entire length, or merge to such an extent that some branches become flabelliform (Fig. 2 A). The consistency is soft, spongy, compressible and elastic. The surface is conulose. Coloration in life is unknown, fixed is light brown.	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFF0923FFF3EF9DB177B7CC1.taxon	description	Skeleton. Plumoreticulated coanosomal skeleton, forming mycalostyle tracts that run towards the surface, with thinner tracts interconnecting the thicker tracts. Surface with strongly developed tangential skeleton, “ Aegogropila type ”, with strongly intercrossed tracts, involving triangular meshes (Fig. 2 B – D). Spicules. Megascleres. Mycalostyles in two categories: straight, slightly curved to slightly sinuous, discrete tylus varying from elongated, lobed or styloid (Fig. 3 C), with hastate or acerate tip (I: 230 – 294 – 350 / 3.7 – 8.1 – 12.5 μm) (Fig. 3 A), (II: 190 – 225.8 – 290 / 1.2 – 2.1 – 2.5 μm) (Fig. 3 B). Microscleres. Palmate anisochelae in two size categories: I, with a palmate head that is approximately 54 % of the total length of the spicule (Fig. 3 I). This category forms rosettes on the ectosoma (45 – 50.2 – 58 μm; alae: 21.9 – 26.9 – 32 μm) (Fig. 3 D); II, with the head palmate approximately 62 % of the total length of the spicule (15 – 19.8 – 25 μm; alae: 10 – 12.8 – 17.5 μm) (Fig. 3 J). Palmate isochelae (10 – 11 – 12.5 μm) (Fig. 3 H). The sigmas are C or S-shaped in two size classes: I, robust (80 – 91.5 – 100 μm) (Fig. 3 F); II, smaller and thinner (12.5 – 17.6 – 27.5 μm) (Fig. 3 G); Toxa with a central curvature, which can be accentuated or discreet (75 – 82.7 – 93 μm) (Fig. 3 E). Microxea smooth and straight (20 – 28.6 – 38 μm) (Fig. 3 L).	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFF0923FFF3EF9DB177B7CC1.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Belize (Rützler et al., 2000), Martinica (Pérez et al., 2017), Panamá (Díaz, 2005), Colombia (Bowerbank, 1876), Suriname (Van Soest, 2017). Brazil: Rio Grande do Norte (Muricy et al., 2008); Pernambuco (Muricy & Moraes, 1998), Bahia (Hajdu et al., 2011), São Paulo (De Laubenfels, 1956; Hajdu et al., 1999; Custódio et al., 2002; Muricy & Hajdu, 2006), Rio de Janeiro (Muricy & Silva, 1999; Vilanova et al., 2004; Muricy & Hajdu, 2006), Paraná (Lerner et al., 2005).	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFF0923FFF3EF9DB177B7CC1.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Mycale (Z.) angulosa shows great morphological variation (Muricy & Hajdu, 2006; Muricy et al., 2008; Hajdu et al., 2011). This was also observed in the material analyzed, where we found specimens with encrusting (UFBA 2621), massive (UFBA 802 and UFBA 3977) and branched arborescent (UFBA 1128, UFBA 2458, UFBA 2362) growth forms. The specimens studied differ from the previous characterizations of M. (Z.) angulosa by the presence of microxea. However, this character has already been observed in M. (Z.) angulosa by Custódio et al. (2002): 24.8 – 38 μm and Lerner et al. (2005): 20 – 28.1 – 43 μm with the same size variation in the material studied 20 – 28.6 – 38 μm.	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFF79233FF3EFE6811C97935.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined Holotype. UFPEPOR 2866 Boa Viagem Beach (12 ° 56 ’ 12 ’’ S – 038 ° 30 ’ 38 ’’ W, Blackadder Shipwreck, Salvador city, Bahia State, Brazil), col. Labimar, 05. II. 2019, 5.1 m depth.	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFF79233FF3EFE6811C97935.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. The new species is the only known in Mycale (Z.) with mycalostyles 128 – 295 µm long, palmate anisochelae in three size categories and presence of micracanthoxeas. External morphology. Arborescent sponge (Fig. 4 A), with irregular branches growing in the direction of the surface. The surface is smooth, with rare oscules, and many small tubercles are present in the branches. Consistency is compressible, elastic, and spongy. The colour is vibrant purple in situ, beige in alcohol. Skeleton. Reticulate choanosome consists of three-dimensional network of tracts of mycalostyles with a triangular arrangement (Fig. 4 B). Anisochelae forming rosettes, and also dispersed in the choanosome. Tangential ectosomal skeleton in which the mycalostyles are arranged in multispicular tracts at the surface of the sponge (Fig. 4 C).	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFF79233FF3EFE6811C97935.taxon	description	Spicules. Megascleres. Mycalostyles (Fig. 5 A) in one category, slightly curved, with rounded base (Fig. 5 B) and acerate ends (128 – 187.2 – 295 / 1.4 – 2.7 – 7.3 µm) (Fig. 5 C). Styles, robust (Fig. 5 D), straight, regular base (Fig. 5 E) and an acerate (Fig. 5 F) or blunt pointed end (203 – 276.7 – 304 / 4.4 – 5.8 – 7.2 µm). Microscleres. Sigmas I stout (Fig. 5 N) (69 – 73.2 – 77 µm). Sigmas II (Fig. 5 O), slender and short, C-shaped (15.2 – 25.9 – 36.1 µm). Palmate anisochelae I (Fig. 5 G – I), big, robust, well-developed alae, with palmate head ca. 55 % of the total length (39 – 42.1 – 45 µm; alae 20.3 – 23.4 – 25.5 µm). Palmate anisochelae II (Fig. 5 J – L), short, well-developed, with palmate head ca. 61 % of the total length (16.5 – 17.5 – 18.4 µm; alae 9.6 – 10.6 – 11.6 µm). Palmate anisochelae III (Fig. 5 M), rare, well-developed alae, with palmate head ca. 62 % of the total length (16.2 – 17.7 – 21.3 µm; alae 8.5 – 11.3 – 15 µm), similar to anisochelae I. Palmate isochelae (9.1 – 10.6 – 12.3 µm, Fig. 5 P – R). Toxas (Fig. 5 S), slender, curved in the middle, and gradually tapering to sharp endings, often in dragmas (22.7 – 38.2 – 71 µm). Micracanthoxeas (Fig. 5 T), straight, rare, sharp-pointed and heavily spined (4.2 – 4.8 – 5.3 / 0.3 µm), only visible by SEM. Raphides (Fig. 5 U), straight, short (20.3 – 28.3 – 40 / 1 – 1.3 – 2 µm).	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFF79233FF3EFE6811C97935.taxon	biology_ecology	Ecology. The species was collected at 5 m depth on an artificial shipwreck substrate close to the sun coral Tubastraea spp.	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFF79233FF3EFE6811C97935.taxon	materials_examined	Type locality. Northeast Brazil, Bahia State, Todos-os-Santos Bay (Boa Viagem Beach) (12 ° 56 ’ 12 ’’ S – 038 ° 30 ’ 38 ’’ W).	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFF79233FF3EFE6811C97935.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The specific name “ odoya ” refers to the greeting to the Orisha Yemanja, an African Deity. Odoyá is a Yoruba word that means “ Mother of the waters ”. Yemanja is worshipped worldwide as the mother of all Orishas, while in Salvador, Yemanja is worshipped mainly as a sea goddess.	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFF79233FF3EFE6811C97935.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Mycale (Z.) odoya sp. nov. is similar to Mycale (Z.) ramulosa Carballo & Cruz-Barraza, 2010 and Mycale (Z.) pectinicola Hentschel, 1911 due to the massive form with arborescent branches in M. (Z.) ramulosa and the purple colour in M. (Z.) pectinicola. However, the new species shows different sizes of mycalostyles compared to both species. Mycalostyles in Mycale (Z.) odoya sp. nov. range from 128 to 295 µm, while in M. (Z.) ramulosa, mycalostyles vary from 290 to 317 µm, and in M. (Z.) pectinicola they range from 200 to 318 µm. Additionally, considering the proximity in the size of the megascleres in M. (Z.) ramulosa and M. (Z.) pectinicola, it is possible to observe that there is no exclusivity in the measurements of megascleres for these species, with an overlap in the sizes of both species (Table 1). Moreover, Mycale (Z.) odoya sp. nov. shows mycalostyles and styles megascleres and three palmate anisochelae (I, II and III), while M. (Z.) ramulosa and M. (Z.) pectinicola have only one category of megascleres, represented by mycalostyles, and two categories of palmate anisochelae, with absence of anisochelae III. According to the morphological structure, palmate anisochelae I in the new species are similar to palmate anisochelae I in M. (Z.) ramulosa and in M. (Z.) pectinicola sensu Calcinai et al. (2013), because both species have the same shape and size. However, palmate anisochelae III in the new species is morphologically similar to palmate anisochelae II in M. (Z.) ramulosa. Micracanthoxas observed in Mycale (Z.) odoya sp. nov. as well as in M. (Z.) ramulosa and M. (Z.) pectinicola are only visible by scanning electron microscopy due to their usually small size (3 to 19.6 µm, Table 1). Mycale (Z.) odoya sp. nov. differs from Mycale (Z.) angulosa mainly due to the presence of micracanthoxas and three categories of palmate anisochelae in the former, while M. (Z.) angulosa has only two categories of palmate anisochelae (I: 40 – 51 µm and II: 15 – 20 µm) and micracanthoxas are absent. Additionally, Mycale (Z.) odoya sp. nov. has a reticulate skeleton, while M. (Z.) angulosa has a well-defined plumose architecture.	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFFB9233FF3EFB7616BC78FE.taxon	materials_examined	Type taxon: Naviculina cliftoni Gray, 1867 represented as Mycale (Naviculina) cliftoni (Gray, 1867)	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFFB9233FF3EFB7616BC78FE.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Mycale with an ectosomal skeleton composed of a reticulation of megasclere bundles. Anisochelae include naviculichelae (complete or near fusion of both frontal alae, falx markedly expanded along the shaft, lateral alae of the head project backward and upward). Megacleres include mycalostyles and an additional category of oxeas may be present (emended from Hajdu, 1999 changes are in bold).	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFFB9231FF3EF9B517F17AE0.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined Holotype. UFPEPOR 2867 Marina de Itaparica Píer (12 ° 53 ’ 20.9 ” S – 38 ° 41 ’ 04.2 ” W, Todos-os-Santos Bay, Bahia State, Brazil), col. Labimar, 15. X. 2020, 1 m depth. Paratypes. UFPEPOR 2868, UFPEPOR 2871, UFPEPOR 2872 Marina de Itaparica Píer (12 ° 53 ’ 20.9 ” S – 38 ° 41 ’ 04.2 ” W, Todos-os-Santos Bay, Bahia State, Brazil), col. Labimar, 15. X. 2020, 1 m depth; UFPEPOR 2873 Ilha de Bom Jesus dos Passos Píer (12 ° 45 ’ 42.3 ” S – 38 ° 38 ’ 09.1 ” W, Todos-os-Santos Bay, Bahia State, Brazil), col. Labimar, 23. XI. 2021, 1 m depth.	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFFB9231FF3EF9B517F17AE0.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. This is the only Mycale (N.) known with the presence of oxeas as megascleres, and two size categories of palmate anisochelae as microscleres. External morphology. Finely encrusting sponge with transparent membrane similar to a peel. The colour is yellow in situ, turning beige when preserved in alcohol (Fig. 6 A, B). Oscules not observed. Skeleton. An ectosomal skeleton with triangular reticulation of paucispicular bundles composed by megascleres (Fig. 6 C). Choanosome skeleton with oxeas and mycalostyles dispersed in less quantity, microscleres anisochelae I in rosettes, anisochelae II, sigmas I / II and naviculichelae dispersed in the choanosome (Fig. 6 E, F). Tangential section with bundles of mycalostyles visible, and microscleres dispersed with no apparent organization (Fig. 6 D).	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFFB9231FF3EF9B517F17AE0.taxon	description	Spicules. Megascleres. (dimensions of holotype UFPEPOR 2867). Mycalostyles (Fig. 7 A) were in one category (301 – 336.3 – 364 / 3.9 – 5.9 – 7.9 μm). Oxeas (Fig. 7 B), slightly curved, robust (76 – 99.3 – 129 / 4.3 – 5.5 – 7.2 μm). Microscleres. C-shaped sigmas in two size categories (Fig. 7 C, D) (I: 33 – 41.2 – 50 μm) (II: 8.7 – 10.2 – 11.6 μm). Palmate anisochelae I, long and robust (Fig. 7 E), alae 52 % of the total size of the spicule (31 – 37.9 – 41 μm; alae: 15.3 – 19.1 – 22.9 μm). Palmate anisochelae II, short, ala 56 % of the total size of the spicule (Fig. 7 F) (8.7 – 10.2 – 11.6 μm; alae: 5.3 – 5.6 – 5.9 μm). Naviculichelae, with near fusion of both frontal alae (Fig. 7 G) (13 – 14.5 – 15.6 μm).	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFFB9231FF3EF9B517F17AE0.taxon	biology_ecology	Ecology. The sponges were found on artificial substrate piers (Marina de Itaparica Island and Bom Jesus dos Passos Island) at 1 m depth. Mycale (Naviculina) oxeata sp. nov. was observed to overgrow Tubastraea spp. and the octocoral Carijoa riisei (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860).	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFFB9231FF3EF9B517F17AE0.taxon	materials_examined	Type Locality. Northeast Brazil, Bahia State, Todos-os-Santos Bay, Marina de Itaparica Píer (12 ° 53 ’ 20.9 ” S – 38 ° 41 ’ 04.2 ” W).	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFFB9231FF3EF9B517F17AE0.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The term “ oxeata ” refers to the presence of oxeas as an additional category of megascleres in the new species, which are absent in other species of the subgenus Naviculina.	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFFB9231FF3EF9B517F17AE0.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Mycale (Naviculina) has 14 species accepted worldwide, with three species recorded in Brazil: Mycale (N.) arcuiris, Mycale (N.) purpurata and Mycale (N.) diversisigmata (Muricy et al., 2011; De Voogd et al., 2024) (Table 2). The new species differs from all species of Mycale (Naviculina) mainly by the unique presence of oxeas as megascleres, which are absent in every other species, in combination with mycalostyles, two categories of palmate anisochelae and only one of naviculichelae.	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFFD9235FF3EFF2514927C55.taxon	materials_examined	Type taxon. Esperia serratohamata Carter, 1880 accepted as Mycale (Paresperella) serratohamata (Carter, 1880) (type by original designation)	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFFD922EFF3EFEDD17FC7BB5.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined Holotype. UFPEPOR 2869, Ilha de Bom Jesus dos Passos Píer (12 ° 45 ’ 42.3 ” S – 38 ° 38 ’ 09.1 ” W, Todos-os-Santos Bay, Bahia State, Brazil), col. Labimar, 23. XI. 2021, 1 m depth. Paratypes. UFPEPOR 2870 Ilha de Bom Jesus dos Passos Píer (12 ° 45 ’ 42.3 ” S – 38 ° 38 ’ 09.1 ” W, Todos-os-Santos Bay, Bahia State, Brazil), col. Labimar, 23. XI. 2021, 1 m depth; UFPEPOR 2874, UFPEPOR 2875 Barra do Paraguaçu (12 ° 50 ’ 24.8 ” S 38 ° 47 ’ 40.7 ” W, Todos-os-Santos Bay, Bahia State, Brazil), col. Labimar, 23. XI. 2021, 1 m depth.	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFFD922EFF3EFEDD17FC7BB5.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. This is the only Mycale (P.) with subtylostyles ranging between 165 – 266 µm, with spined projections bearing tridentate or polydentate pointed ends; small serrated sigmas (34 – 51 µm); and anisochelae in two categories. External morphology. Thinly encrusting sponge, smooth surface. Reticulated appearance surface. The colour is yellow in situ (Fig. 8 A) becoming beige in alcohol (Fig. 8 B, C). Skeleton. Ectosome with megascleres in tracts perpendicular to the surface and piercing it. Mycalostyles united by sigmas. Choanosome skeleton has thin tracts of megascleres (21 – 39.6 – 65 μm), with sigmas, anisochelae I in rosettes, among surface tracts (Fig. 8 D). Moreover, mycalostyles, sigmas and anisochelae II were dispersed in the choanosome without any apparent organization (Fig. 8 E, F).	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFFD922EFF3EFEDD17FC7BB5.taxon	description	Spicules (dimensions of UFPEPOR 2869). Megascleres. Mycalostyles (Fig. 9 A, B) in one category only, straight or slightly curved, with rounded base (Fig. 9 C, D) and pointed, tridentate or polydentate ends (Fig. 9 E, F), with spined projections (165 – 235.8 – 262 / 3.2 – 3.9 – 4.8 µm). Microscleres. Palmate anisochelae I (Fig. 9 I) (20.6 – 25 – 28.9; alae: 9.5 – 13.5 – 16.6 µm). Palmate anisochelae II (Fig. 9 J), short, well-developed, with the head accounting for approximately 50 % of the total length (8.2 – 9.9 – 11.3; alae: 4.6 – 5.3 – 5.8 µm). Sigmas (Fig. 9 G), C-shaped, with convex edge serrated on one or both ends, varying in approximately 3 to 10 spines (Fig. 9 H) (35 – 39.7 – 43 µm).	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFFD922EFF3EFEDD17FC7BB5.taxon	biology_ecology	Ecology. The holotype (UFPEPOR 2869) was found to be overgrowing an alga and the octocoral Carijoa sp., and the paratype (UFPEPOR 2875) associated with Tubastraea spp., which was overgrown around polyps.	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFFD922EFF3EFEDD17FC7BB5.taxon	materials_examined	Type locality. Northeast Brazil, Bahia State, Todos-os-Santos Bay - Bom Jesus dos Passos Island (12 ° 45 ’ 42.3 ” S – 38 ° 38 ’ 09.1 ” W).	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFFD922EFF3EFEDD17FC7BB5.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The term “ policuspidifera ” refers to the cusp found at the pointy end (apex) of the subtylostyles due to its characteristic tridentate or polydentate nature.	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFFD922EFF3EFEDD17FC7BB5.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The Mycale (P.) subgenus has 18 valid species worldwide, with three species formerly registered in the Atlantic Ocean: Mycale (P.) spinosigma (Boury-Esnault, 1973), Mycale (P.) vitellina Van Soest, 2009 and Mycale (P.) atlantica Stephens, 1917 (De Voogd et al., 2024). This subgenus is characterized by the presence of serrated sigmas (Van Soest & Hajdu, 2002). Mycale (P.) policuspidifera sp. nov. is similar to Mycale (P.) vitellina (Curaçao) in its thinly encrusting form, yellow colour in situ and possession of the same spicule categories, but the new species presents smaller subtylostyles with tridentate or polydentate apices (165 – 266 µm), while in the Caribbean species megascleres are styles (276 – 348 µm) without any notable details as “ teeth ” on their apices. In addition, microscleres sigmas (34 – 51 µm) and anisochelae I (20 – 31 µm) are smaller in the Brazilian species when compared to M. (P.) vitellina which has much larger sigmas (78 – 93 µm) and anisochelae I (65 – 70 µm) (Table 3). The new species differs from M. (P.) atlantica due to the latter species possession of toxas, absent in the new species, and lack of ornamentation on its subtylostyles. Moreover, its subtylostyles and sigmas are larger than those observed in the new species. Hajdu & Rützler (1998) had the opportunity to examine a fragment from the holotype of M. (P.) spinosigma (MNHN D NBE 968) and were unable to find any anisochelae. Furthermore, the characteristic sigmas were very rare, which led these authors to suspect they might actually be contaminants. We consider thus that M. (P.) spinosigma is best treated as a species inquirenda and refrain from any comparison with our newly proposed species.	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFE6922EFF3EF8FD14B97A9D.taxon	materials_examined	Type taxon. Hymeniacidon lingua Bowerbank, 1866 accepted as Mycale (Mycale) lingua (Bowerbank, 1866) (type by subsequent designation)	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFE79220FF3EFF25149A7C2D.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined Holotype. UFBAPOR 4593, Funil bridge (13 º 2 ’ 50 ” S – 38 º 47 ’ 32 ” W, between Nazaré das Farinhas and Vera Cruz, Bahia State, Brazil), col. Fernandez, J. C. C., IV. 2014, 2.1 m depth. Paratypes. UFBAPOR 1866, Porto da Barra Beach (13 º 03 ’ S – 38 º 32 ’ W, Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil), col. Berlinck, R. G. S. & Esteves, E. L., 06. VI. 2004, 5 – 8 m depth; UFPEPOR 4353, Itaparica Island (12 ° 52 ’ 48.4 ” S – 38 ° 41 ’ 10.1 ” W, Marina de Itaparica pier, Itaparica, Bahia State, Brazil), col. Labimar, 28. IV. 2022, 3 – 5 m.	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFE79220FF3EFF25149A7C2D.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Mycale (Mycale) salvadorensis sp. nov. includes massive and encrusting specimens, with two categories of anisochelae (I and III), two categories of sigmas (I – II) and two of raphides / trichodragmas (I – II). External morphology. The holotype is fragmented, a larger fragment measuring 8 x 4.5 cm (length x width). Massive, flattened sponge with some fistules (Fig. 10 A) and encrusting form (Fig. 10 B – C). Rough, smooth and irregular surfaces. Consistency compressible and easy to tear. The colour is brown in situ and in alcohol (Fig. 8 B – C). Skeleton. The surface skeleton is a tange ntial layer of single intercrossing megascleres (Fig. 10 D). Rosettes with the largest anisochelae are common, measuring approximately 150 µm in diameter (Fig. 10 E). The surface membrane between the megascleres is charged with scattered sigmas and anisochelae, and abundant raphides form trichodragmas. The choanosomal skeleton at the base consists of strong, plumose bundles of megascleres that can reach 750 µm in diameter, fanning out in the subectosomal region (100 – 225 µm in width) carrying the surface skeleton.	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFE79220FF3EFF25149A7C2D.taxon	description	Spicules (dimensions of holotype UFBAPOR 4593). Megascleres. Mycalostyles in two categories, fusiform, with faint constriction beneath the rounded heads and a sharply pointed end / tip: I, choanosomal (Fig. 11 A) (354 – 521.4 – 687 / 7.3 – 11 – 17) and II, ectosomal (Fig. 11 B) (323 – 482.4 – 667 / 4.3 – 8.5 – 12.2 µm). Microscleres. Anisochelae I (Fig. 11 C), robust, with head approximately 25 % of the total spicule length, shaft markedly curved (46 – 54 – 59 µm, head: 10 – 17 – 15 µm). Anisochelae III (Fig. 11 D), smaller, with head approximately 60 % of the total spicule length (14.6 – 18.1 – 19.5 µm, head: 6 – 10 – 12 µm). Sigmas, thin, with slightly incurved apices in two distinct size categories, (I) larger, C or S-shaped, very common, 26.8 – 37.1 – 56 µm (Fig. 9 E), and (II) smaller, C- shaped less common, 9.7 – 13.1 – 17 µm (Fig. 11 F). Raphides in two size categories are extremely common, (I) larger (Fig. 11 G, R 1), 66 – 79.3 – 119 µm in length, and can be found in trichodragmata (Fig. 9 H), (II) smaller (Fig. 11 G, R 2), 17.4 – 24.2 – 44 µm in length.	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFE79220FF3EFF25149A7C2D.taxon	biology_ecology	Ecology. The holotype (UFBAPOR 4593) is associated with the sponge Coelosphaera sp. and the paratype (UFBAPOR 1866) with the sponge Hyattella cavernosa (Pallas, 1766).	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFE79220FF3EFF25149A7C2D.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Brazil: Bahia State (type locality — present study). Suriname (Van Soest, 2017).	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFE79220FF3EFF25149A7C2D.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The species’ specific epithet is dedicated to the type locality, the city of Salvador.	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFE79220FF3EFF25149A7C2D.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Mycale (M.) has 55 valid species in the world, five of which are recorded for the Brazilian coast: M. (M.) alagoana Cedro, Hajdu & Correia, 2011; M. (M.) arenaria Hajdu & Desqueyroux-Faúndez, 1994; M. (M.) beatrizae Hajdu & Desqueyroux-Faúndez, 1994; M. (M.) laevis (Carter, 1882) and M. (M.) quadripartita Boury-Esnault, 1973 (De Voogd et al., 2024; Pinheiro et al., 2025). In the present study, Mycale (M.) salvadorensis sp. nov. is the sixth species of Mycale (M.) for the Brazilian coast. The new species is closely related to M. (M.) arenaria, because both species have a similar spicule set, with two categories of mycalostyles (I and II) and two categories of anisochelae [(I), head about 25 % the entire spicule height and foot alae prolonged basally forming a round pore (Fig. 11 C); and (III), head comprising 60 % of the entire spicule height, rudimentary foot bearing a basal spur (Fig. 11 D)]. However, the new species has smaller anisochelae III (19.6 – 20.7 – 23.5 µm) when compared to those of M. (M.) arenaria (17.2 – 26.8 – 41 µm) (Table 4) and a third category of anisochelae (anisochelae-II), rare in M. (M.) arenaria, is absent in the new species. Additionally, Mycale (M.) salvadorensis sp. nov. presents trichodragmas in two size categories, with smaller sizes (I: 78 – 79.2 – 119 µm; II: 17.4 – 24.2 – 44 µm) when compared to the single category in M. (M.) arenaria (55 – 88.4 – 113 µm) (Table 4). The specimen from Guyana identified as M. (M.) arenaria by Van Soest (2017) has external morphology and spicule dimensions very similar to those of M. (M.) salvadorensis sp. nov., which prompted us to consider it conspecific with the new species. Mycale (M.) salvadorensis sp. nov. has massive or encrusting growth forms and differs from M. (M.) beatrizae and M. (M.) alagoana in that they are only encrusting, and from M. (M.) quadripartita, which is tubular. The new species presents anisochelae I of distinct morphology (curved axis instead of straight in side view) and larger trichodragmas (I: 66 – 79.3 – 119 µm; II: 17.4 – 24.2 – 44 µm) when compared to M. (M.) laevis (I: 44 – 66 – 80 µm; II: 19 – 21 – 24 µm) (Table 4). Mycale (M.) beatrizae has only one category of mycalostyles, no trichodragmas, and its smaller category of anisochelae (III) bears no basal spur-like projections. This is in marked contrast to the new species’ two categories of mycalostyles and trichodragmas, as well as smaller anisochelae (III) with a basal spur-like projection.	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
03A087ACFFE79220FF3EFF25149A7C2D.taxon	description	...... continued on the next page Mycale (M.) salvadorensis sp. nov. presents only anisochelae I and III, with the same morphology as those in M. (M.) alagoana, but the latter has anisochelae II additionally. Mycale (M.) quadripartita has three categories of anisochelae with heads approximately 40 %, 50 % and 50 % of the total spicule height, respectively, all with rounded bases without spur-like projections. Accordingly, it differs from the new species by the number and shape of its anisochelae, as well as its much larger sigmas and trichodragmas in seemingly only a single category (Hajdu & Desqueyroux-Faúndez, 1994).	en	Mácola, Rosa, Nascimento, Elielton, Pinheiro, Ulisses, Neves, Elizabeth, Johnsson, Rodrigo (2025): Four new species of Mycale (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Southwest Atlantic. Zootaxa 5627 (3): 401-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5627.3.1
