taxonID	type	description	language	source
03D49664E753FFD5FF00A21A134A0CCF.taxon	materials_examined	Type species. Alcyonium domuncula Olivi, 1792 (by original description).	en	Samaai, Toufiek, Maduray, Seshnee, Janson, Liesl, Ngwakum, Benedicta (2017): A new species of habitat – forming Suberites (Porifera, Demospongiae, Suberitida) in the Benguela upwelling region (South Africa). Zootaxa 4254 (1): 49-81, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4254.1.3
03D49664E753FFD5FF00A21A134A0CCF.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis (from van Soest 2002). Massive, compact, usually with velvety smooth surface caused by dense ectosomal arrangement of tylostyles oriented perpendicularly to the sponge surface, points outward; peripheral choanosomal skeleton consists of closely packed strands of tylostyles distinctly larger than ectosomal ones, with interior skeleton of densely packed tylostyles in confusion. Centrotylote, minutely spined microstrongyles may be present in a few species and if so are concentrated at the surface. Approximately 80 species have been described (obvious synonyms and invalid genus assignments omitted). The genus is cosmopolitan in distribution but is most common in cold or temperate waters.	en	Samaai, Toufiek, Maduray, Seshnee, Janson, Liesl, Ngwakum, Benedicta (2017): A new species of habitat – forming Suberites (Porifera, Demospongiae, Suberitida) in the Benguela upwelling region (South Africa). Zootaxa 4254 (1): 49-81, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4254.1.3
03D49664E753FFD5FF00A47710C6086F.taxon	description	Original description. Suberites tylobtusus Lévi, 1958. Synonymy. Suberites tylobtusa Lévi, 1958, pg. 24, fig. 20; Suberites tylobtusa Uriz, 1988, pg. 38, fig. 15.	en	Samaai, Toufiek, Maduray, Seshnee, Janson, Liesl, Ngwakum, Benedicta (2017): A new species of habitat – forming Suberites (Porifera, Demospongiae, Suberitida) in the Benguela upwelling region (South Africa). Zootaxa 4254 (1): 49-81, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4254.1.3
03D49664E753FFD5FF00A47710C6086F.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Holotype MNHN DCL 1301, Suberites tylobtusa Lévi, 1958.	en	Samaai, Toufiek, Maduray, Seshnee, Janson, Liesl, Ngwakum, Benedicta (2017): A new species of habitat – forming Suberites (Porifera, Demospongiae, Suberitida) in the Benguela upwelling region (South Africa). Zootaxa 4254 (1): 49-81, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4254.1.3
03D49664E753FFD5FF00A47710C6086F.taxon	description	Description of gross morphology. Small fragments of type material (Figure 9 a). Lévi (1958) however, described the sponge as massive with rounded lobes. Surface smooth, irregular and velvety to the touch. Oscules not visible. Consistency soft and fleshy. Colour in life bright orange. Megascleres. Megascleres are tylostyles and tylostrongyles in one size catogory. Tylostyles 1, smooth, slightly curved sometimes polytylote; head either well rounded or pear shaped, or reduced to resemble styles. Distally fusiform, or with mucronate or rounded ends. One size category (440 – 556 µm x 15 µm) (maximum length 600 µm x 15 – 25 µm) (Figure 9 b, c, d). Tylostyles 2, more slender than the previous ones in length, gently curved with well formed heads, sometimes slightly fusiform, 350 – 450 µm x 10 – 11 µm thick. Tylostrongyles short and stocky 182 – 297 µm x 8 µm (maximum length 450 µm x 15) (Figure 9 e) (please refer to Table 2 for comparative measurements). Microscleres. Absent. Skeleton. The skeletal architecture is irregular and includes packages of radial megasclere pointing in every direction and separated by more slender spicules (Figure 9 f). There is no recognisable ectosome. Ectosomal skeleton consists of densly packed tylostyles	en	Samaai, Toufiek, Maduray, Seshnee, Janson, Liesl, Ngwakum, Benedicta (2017): A new species of habitat – forming Suberites (Porifera, Demospongiae, Suberitida) in the Benguela upwelling region (South Africa). Zootaxa 4254 (1): 49-81, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4254.1.3
03D49664E753FFD5FF00A47710C6086F.taxon	materials_examined	Type locality. Abu Latt Island, Red Sea. Habitat. Coral reefs.	en	Samaai, Toufiek, Maduray, Seshnee, Janson, Liesl, Ngwakum, Benedicta (2017): A new species of habitat – forming Suberites (Porifera, Demospongiae, Suberitida) in the Benguela upwelling region (South Africa). Zootaxa 4254 (1): 49-81, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4254.1.3
03D49664E754FFD3FF00A51310C50E2C.taxon	description	Original description. Suberites ficus (Johnson, 1842); see also van Soest & Hooper 2002, pg. 242. Synonomy. Alcyonium ficus sensu Linnaeus, 1767, pg. 1295; Ficulina ficus Linnaeus, 1767, pg. 1295 (see Uriz 1984, pg. 58); Alcyonium bulbosum Esper, 1806, pg. 235; Halichondria ficus Johnston, 1842, pg. 144; Suberites domuncula von Lendenfeld, 1888, pg. 65 (not Suberites domuncula Olivi, 1792, pg. 241); Suberites ficus Ackers et al., 1992, pg. 68.	en	Samaai, Toufiek, Maduray, Seshnee, Janson, Liesl, Ngwakum, Benedicta (2017): A new species of habitat – forming Suberites (Porifera, Demospongiae, Suberitida) in the Benguela upwelling region (South Africa). Zootaxa 4254 (1): 49-81, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4254.1.3
03D49664E754FFD3FF00A51310C50E2C.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Lectotype BMNH 1847.9.7.51, Halichondria ficus Johnson, 1842.	en	Samaai, Toufiek, Maduray, Seshnee, Janson, Liesl, Ngwakum, Benedicta (2017): A new species of habitat – forming Suberites (Porifera, Demospongiae, Suberitida) in the Benguela upwelling region (South Africa). Zootaxa 4254 (1): 49-81, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4254.1.3
03D49664E754FFD3FF00A51310C50E2C.taxon	description	Description of gross morphology. Bulbous, or pear – shaped, sometimes bulging from a narrow stalk, 2.5 – 8 cm in length (Figure 10 a). Van Soest (2002) described the species as lobate, occasionally cylindrical and may include specimens enveloping gastropod shells and encrusting scallops, 10 – 40 cm in length. Surface smooth with a velvety appearance with one or more conspicuous, large oscules. Consistency firm and incompressible. Colour in life russet red; in dried state cream / white. Megascleres. Styles, two types (Figure 10 b). Type I, slightly curved, heads rounded and having a slight bump. Distally fusiform, sometimes mucronate, 288 – 345 µm x 7 µm (Van Soest, 2002, measurements 350 – 500 µm x 10 µm). Type II, very thin, sinuous, heads rounded having a slight bump. Distally fusiform, 153 – 268 µm x 2 µm (Van Soest, 2002, measurements 100 – 250 µm x 5 µm) (please refer to Table 2 for comparative measurements). Microscleres. Microrhabds (Figure 10 c) — microspined microstrongyles, usually centrotylote, common, 16 – 28 µm. Smooth microstrongyles, usually centrotylote (Figure 10 d), common, 24 – 48 µm. Skeleton. The skeletal architecture is confused, almost halichondroid, being radial near the surface. The ectosomal skeleton is made up of smaller tylostyles arranged pendicularly forming a dense palisade at the surface. Type locality. Scarborough, England, North Atlantic. Habitat. Deep water.	en	Samaai, Toufiek, Maduray, Seshnee, Janson, Liesl, Ngwakum, Benedicta (2017): A new species of habitat – forming Suberites (Porifera, Demospongiae, Suberitida) in the Benguela upwelling region (South Africa). Zootaxa 4254 (1): 49-81, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4254.1.3
03D49664E755FFDDFF00A6A114F70DFD.taxon	description	Synonomy. Suberites tylobtusa sensu Uriz, 1988, pg 38 (Not Suberites tylobtusa Lévi, 1958); Suberites ficus sensu Samaai & Gibbons, 2005, pg. 28, figs. 3 A, 21 a – e. Suberites carnosus sensu Samaai & Gibbons, 2005, pg. 27, figs. 2 O, 20 a – d.	en	Samaai, Toufiek, Maduray, Seshnee, Janson, Liesl, Ngwakum, Benedicta (2017): A new species of habitat – forming Suberites (Porifera, Demospongiae, Suberitida) in the Benguela upwelling region (South Africa). Zootaxa 4254 (1): 49-81, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4254.1.3
03D49664E755FFDDFF00A6A114F70DFD.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Holotype. SAMC – A 088677 (cross ref. TS 1625), West coast, Station A 29477 (30 ° 26 ' 0 " S, 16 ° 48 ' 59 " E), depth 180 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2009. Other Material examined Holotype MNHN DCL 1301, Suberites tylobtusa Lévi, 1958; Holotype BMNH 1847.9.7.51, Halichondria fícus Johnston, 1842. Paratypes. SAMC – A 088678 (cross ref. TS 1815), West coast, Station A 30349 (31 ° 47 ' 58 " S, 17 ° 54 ' 29 " E), depth 114 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2010. SAMC – A 088679 (cross ref. TS 1592), West coast, Station A 29471 (29 ° 12 ' 0 " S, 15 ° 59 ' 0 " E), depth 166 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2009. TS 1586, West coast, Station A 29444 (30 ° 58 ' 0 " S, 17 ° 27 ' 0 " E), depth 134 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2009. TS 1587, West coast, Station A 29442 (30 ° 30 ' 59 " S, 17 ° 19 ' 0 " E), depth 111 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2009. TS 1599, West coast, Station A 29478 (30 ° 19 ' 0 " S, 16 ° 54 ' 59 " E), depth 154 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2009. TS 1602, West coast, Station A 29482 (29 ° 37 ' 59 " S, 16 ° 20 ' 0 " E), depth 157 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2009. TS 1612, West coast, Station A 29481 (29 ° 40 ' 59 " S, 16 ° 12 ' 59 " E), depth 166 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2009. TS 1614, West coast, Station A 29480 (29 ° 53 ' 0 " S, 16 ° 18 ' 0 " E), depth 182 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2009. TS 1631, West coast, Station A 29439 (30 ° 50 ' 0 " S, 16 ° 52 ' 0 " E), depth 198 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2009. TS 1633, West coast, Station A 29479 (30 ° 0 ' 0 " S, 16 ° 20 ' 59 " E), depth 187 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2009. TS 1640, West coast, Station A 27448 (32 ° 0 ' 24 " S, 17 ° 24 ' 59 " E), depth 160 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2009. TS 1783, West coast, Station A 30328 (32 ° 17 ' 52 " S, 16 ° 53 ' 53 " E), depth 296 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2010. TS 1787, West coast, Station A 30382 (29 ° 32 ' 13 " S, 15 ° 45 ' 14 " E), depth 175 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2010. TS 1794, West coast, Station A 30389 (29 ° 20 ' 13 " S, 16 ° 0 ' 58 " E), depth 168 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2010. TS 1798, West coast, Station A 30340 (31 ° 58 ' 46 " S, 16 ° 52 ' 10 " E), depth 282 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2010. TS 1830, West coast, Station A 31415 (31 ° 22 ' 5 " S, 17 ° 30 ' 56 " E), depth 147 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2010. TS 1836, West coast, Station A 31460 (29 ° 20 ' 11 " S, 16 ° 1 ' 1 " E), depth 168 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2011. TS 1850, West coast, Station A 31406 (32 ° 7 ' 32 " S, 17 ° 19 ' 11 " E), depth 184 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2011. TS 1859, West coast, Station A 31417 (31 ° 43 ' 30 " S, 17 ° 1 ' 30 " E), depth 256 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2011. TS 1828, West coast, Station A 30350 (31 ° 34 ' 58 " S, 17 ° 48 ' 2 " E), depth 118 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2010. TS 1876, West coast, Station A 31405 (32 ° 7 ' 55 " S, 17 ° 12 ' 7 " E), depth 211 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2011. TS 1807, West coast, Station A 30351 (31 ° 19 ' 47 " S, 17 ° 35 ' 8 " E), depth 133 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2010. TS 1810, West coast, Station A 30357 (30 ° 42 ' 58 " S, 16 ° 53 ' 19 " E), depth 191 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2010. TS 1816, West coast, Station A 30403 (31 ° 8 ' 38 " S, 17 ° 41 ' 41 " E), depth 89 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2010. Other voucher specimens. TS 1584, West coast, Station A 29490 (30 ° 16 ' 59 " S, 15 ° 43 ' 59 " E), depth 235 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2009. TS 1585, West coast, Station A 29500 (31 ° 29 ' 0 " S, 17 ° 40 ' 59 " E), depth 125 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2009. TS 1589, West coast, Station A 29443 (30 ° 54 ' 59 " S, 17 ° 20 ' 0 " E), depth 147 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2009. TS 1594, West coast, Station A 29507 (33 ° 22 ' 0 " S, 17 ° 44 ' 0 " E), depth 183 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2009. TS 1601, West coast, Station A 29501 (31 ° 38 ' 59 " S, 17 ° 47 ' 59 " E), depth 120 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2009. TS 1604, West coast, Station A 29483 (29 ° 29 ' 59 " S, 16 ° 16 ' 59 " E), depth 155 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2009. TS 1611, West coast, Station A 29502 (31 ° 30 ' 59 " S, 17 ° 58 ' 0 " E), depth 95 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2009. TS 1623, West coast, Station A 29475 (30 ° 22 ' 59 " S, 16 ° 34 ' 0 " E), depth 208 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2009. TS 1628, West coast, Station A 29461 (31 ° 16 ' 59 " S, 17 ° 12 ' 59 " E), depth 206 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2009. TS 1644, West coast, Station A 29455 (32 ° 18 ' 59 " S, 18 ° 0 ' 59 " E), depth 103 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2009. TS 1784, West coast, Station A 30359 (31 ° 0 ' 5 " S, 16 ° 0 ' 52 " E), depth 320 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2010. TS 1786, West coast, Station A 30392 (29 ° 8 ' 33 " S, 16 ° 19 ' 49 " E), depth 138 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2010. TS 1789, West coast, Station A 30341 (31 ° 52 ' 39 " S, 17 ° 7 ' 3 " E), depth 211 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2010. TS 1795, West coast, Station A 30383 (29 ° 36 ' 57 " S, 15 ° 55 ' 19 " E), depth 178 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2010. TS 1797, West coast, Station A 30392 (29 ° 8 ' 33 " S, 16 ° 19 ' 49 " E), depth 138 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2010. TS 1809, West coast, Station A 30356 (30 ° 49 ' 35 " S, 16 ° 39 ' 34 " E), depth 239 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2010. TS 1813, West coast, Station A 30385 (29 ° 18 ' 43 " S, 16 ° 33 ' 41 " E), depth 126 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2010. TS 1817, West coast, Station A 30384 (29 ° 46 ' 46 " S, 16 ° 0 ' 46 " E), depth 185 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2010. TS 1819, West coast, Station A 30395 (29 ° 44 ' 59 " S, 16 ° 29 ' 17 " E), depth 156 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2010. TS 1823, West coast, Station A 30325 (32 ° 48 ' 44 " S, 17 ° 42 ' 33 " E), depth 142 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2010. TS 1826, West coast, Station A 30352 (31 ° 10 ' 23 " S, 17 ° 20 ' 33 " E), depth 178 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2010. TS 1877, West coast, Station A 31438 (30 ° 38 ' 19 " S, 16 ° 53 ' 37 " E), depth 186 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2011. TS 1621, West coast, Station A 29470 (29 ° 7 ' 59 " S, 16 ° 5 ' 59 " E), depth 163 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2009. TS 1805, West coast, Station A 30353 (30 ° 54 ' 52 " S, 17 ° 3 ' 18 " E), depth 197 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2010. TS 1806, West coast, Station A 30399 (30 ° 21 ' 1 " S, 16 ° 48 ' 2 " E), depth 179 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2010. TS 1812, West coast, Station A 30381 (29 ° 24 ' 13 " S, 15 ° 30 ' 20 " E), depth 181 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2010. TS 1814, West coast, Station A 30391 (29 ° 28 ' 59 " S, 16 ° 20 ' 25 " E), depth 151 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2010. TS 1837, West coast, Station A 31413 (31 ° 38 ' 59 " S, 17 ° 39 ' 16 " E), depth 130 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2011. TS 1840, West coast, Station A 31446 (29 ° 0 ' 26 " S, 16 ° 15 ' 34 " E), depth 141 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2011. TS 1841, West coast, Station A 31439 (30 ° 38 ' 23 " S, 17 ° 9 ' 20 " E), depth 150 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2011. TS 1848, West coast, Station A 31440 (30 ° 40 ' 43 " S, 17 ° 25 ' 5 " E), depth 98 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2011. TS 1849, West coast, Station A 31441 (30 ° 23 ' 34 " S, 16 ° 59 ' 47 " E), depth 150 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2011. TS 1862, West coast, Station A 31462 (29 ° 39 ' 28 " S, 16 ° 2 ' 58 " E), depth 181 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2011. TS 1868, West coast, Station A 31437 (30 ° 33 ' 26 " S, 16 ° 50 ' 0 " E), depth 186 m, collected by FRS Africana, January 2011. Other South African & Namibian material examined. SAM – H 4898 (Ts 330), Elands Bay (32 ° 20 ’ S, 18 ° 20 ’ E), depth 2 – 5 m, collected by T. Samaai and M. J. Gibbons, 7 April 1997. Ts 343 a, Elands Bay (32 ° 20 ’ S, 18 ° 20 ’ E), depth 2 – 5 m, collected by T. Samaai and M. J. Gibbons, 7 April 1997. Ts 344, Ts 346, Ts 348, Ts 355, St Helena Bay (32 ° 40 ’ S, 18 ° 10 ’ E), depth 2 – 5 m, collected by T. Samaai and M. J. Gibbons, 9 April 1997. Ts 412, Black Rock, Lüderitz, Namibia (24 ° 50 ’ S, 14 ° 40 ’ E), depth 12 m, collected by NSFRI, 20 March 1998. SAM – H 4897 (Ts 540), Oranjemund (26 ° 31 ’ S, 15 ° 01 ’ E), depth 78 m, collected by A. Goosen, from ‘ Jago’ submersible, April 1999. Ts 541, Oranjemund (26 ° 31 ’ S, 15 ° 01 ’ E), depth 78 m, collected by A. Goosen, from ‘ Jago’ submersible, April 1999.	en	Samaai, Toufiek, Maduray, Seshnee, Janson, Liesl, Ngwakum, Benedicta (2017): A new species of habitat – forming Suberites (Porifera, Demospongiae, Suberitida) in the Benguela upwelling region (South Africa). Zootaxa 4254 (1): 49-81, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4254.1.3
03D49664E755FFDDFF00A6A114F70DFD.taxon	description	Description of gross morphology. Massive sponge with rounded lobes and apical oscula (Figure 11 a). Two morphotypes are distinguishable: (a) globulous, widest at the base, with one large apical osculum terminally, and (b) elongate, with compressed base from where a few globular lobes rise, each widest in the middle and terminating in a small osculum. Varied size, up to 40 cm in diameter. Surface smooth, microscopically hirsute, not velvety. Oscules 1 – 2 cm in diameter on the apical end of the lobe; ostia 0.1 mm in diameter. Consistency spongy, soft, depending on the degree of contraction. Ectosome not discernable. Colour in life straw orange brown with some having tinges of yellow, choanosome orange – yellow internally; in preservative light brown or straw yellow to khaki. Mud encrusted specimens are greyish brown. Megascleres. Type I Tylostyles. Thin, long, straight or curved, with a sharp gradually tapering end, heads well rounded, distally fusiform, 505 (413 – 576) × 7 (7) µm, n = 10 (Figure 11 b – I). Type II Tylostyles. More robust, thickened and somewhat curved, head well defined and rounded, distally fusiform, 351 (307 – 413) × 19 (14 – 24) µm, n = 10 (Figure 11 b – II). Type III Tylostyles. Thick, straight, head well defined and rounded 465 (451 – 490) × 14 (9.6 – 19) µm, n = 10 (Figure 11 b – III). Large tylostrongyles (tylobtuse strongyles). Thick, variable size, head poorly defined, but round, often somewhat wider than opposite rounded end, 271 (240 – 307) × 24 (19 – 29) µm, n = 10 (Figure 11 c). Centrotylostrongyles. Thick, variable size, straight or slightly curved, with bulbous centre, end not fusiform but hastately rounded 307 (259 – 346) × 14 (9.6 – 19) µm, n = 10 (Figure 11 d). Centrotyloxeas. Thick, variable size, sinuous or slightly curved, with bulbous centre, end fusiform, but some forms are centrotylostrongyles, 414 (365 – 518) × 16 (14 – 19) µm, n = 10. Small tylostrongyles (tylobtuse strongyles). Thick, variable size, head well defined, and rounded, 163 (115 – 201) × 24 (19 – 29) µm, n = 10 (Figure 11 e). Small mutant tylostrongyles (kidney – shaped) also present with size approximately 86 (76 – 96) x 19 µm, n = 10 (Figure 11 f). Some specimens e. g. TS 1815 and TS 1592 lack the tylobtuse strongyles (see Figure 3). These megascleres are present in variable proportions in all the specimens examined. Microscleres. Microrhabds (microacanthostrongyles, usually centrotylote), rare in some specimens or even absent (e. g. Figure 3 — specimen TS 1592), 10 – 15 µm (Figure 11 g). The morphology of the microacanthostrongyles is similar to that found in S. ficus. It is present in variable proportions in all the specimens examined. Skeleton. Choanosomal skeleton consists of a subradiate, composed of a confused irregular reticulation of bundles of tylostyles, which meander vertically through the choanosome. Spicules radially arranged near the surface, and the internal skeleton confused, almost halichondroid (Figure 11 h). The ectosome consists of a distinct, compact, radially disposed layer of small dermal tylostyles, 200 – 400 µm wide. Distal ends of tylostyles project slightly beyond the ectosomal surface. DNA barcodes. Two unique cox 1 haplotypes were identified among a total of 20 specimens. GenBank accession nos. KY 463455 (haplotype 1) and KY 463456 (haplotype 2).	en	Samaai, Toufiek, Maduray, Seshnee, Janson, Liesl, Ngwakum, Benedicta (2017): A new species of habitat – forming Suberites (Porifera, Demospongiae, Suberitida) in the Benguela upwelling region (South Africa). Zootaxa 4254 (1): 49-81, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4254.1.3
03D49664E755FFDDFF00A6A114F70DFD.taxon	etymology	Etymology. Named after Ms Dandelene Reynolds, a technician in DEA, who passed away in 2010. Phenotypic variation. The species variability is limited to the sponge size with a uniform straw orange brown.	en	Samaai, Toufiek, Maduray, Seshnee, Janson, Liesl, Ngwakum, Benedicta (2017): A new species of habitat – forming Suberites (Porifera, Demospongiae, Suberitida) in the Benguela upwelling region (South Africa). Zootaxa 4254 (1): 49-81, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4254.1.3
03D49664E755FFDDFF00A6A114F70DFD.taxon	materials_examined	Type locality. The type material was collected from the west coast of South Africa, from unconsolidated sediment in a region with seasonal cold-water upwelling.	en	Samaai, Toufiek, Maduray, Seshnee, Janson, Liesl, Ngwakum, Benedicta (2017): A new species of habitat – forming Suberites (Porifera, Demospongiae, Suberitida) in the Benguela upwelling region (South Africa). Zootaxa 4254 (1): 49-81, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4254.1.3
03D49664E755FFDDFF00A6A114F70DFD.taxon	distribution	Distribution. South African and Namibian west coast (BCLME) (Figures 7 & 12) Ecology. Uriz (1988, 1990) proposed that S. tylobtusus (Red Sea sponge) was translocated by fisheries activities to the continental shelf off southern Africa between 1960 and 1984, as earlier surveys conducted over many decades had failed to detect it. These earlier surveys however, were not comprehensive or thorough, and focused their efforts around Cape Town, Saldanha Bay, Still Bay and Durban, all of which fall outside its distributional range.	en	Samaai, Toufiek, Maduray, Seshnee, Janson, Liesl, Ngwakum, Benedicta (2017): A new species of habitat – forming Suberites (Porifera, Demospongiae, Suberitida) in the Benguela upwelling region (South Africa). Zootaxa 4254 (1): 49-81, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4254.1.3
03D49664E755FFDDFF00A6A114F70DFD.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The identification of Suberites at the species level based on morphological features is difficult, because species of this genus are highly polymorphic and have a simple skeleton and spicular structures, which are more or less homogeneous (Solé – Cava & Thorpe 1986; Van Soest 2002). Having said that, it has been argued that the use of qualitative characters such as the presence or absence of microscleres (microstrongyles) is helpful in distinguishing species, e. g. S. ficus from S. domuncula (Hartman 1958; Hiscock et al. 1983). However, it is clear from the present results (Table S 1) that although there are taxonomically useful spicule differences between specimens, these qualitative and quantitative differences can be misleading in defining a species. Suberites dandelenae sp. nov. specimens show considerable variation in the relative proportion or presence of different spicule types. Typically, S. dandelenae sp. nov. has three distinct types of megascleres, but some specimens (see Table 2) possess only tylobtuse strongyles and microstrongyles, or they lack tylobtuse strongyles but possess microstrongyles, and some specimens lack both tylobtuse strongyles and microstrongyles (see also Figure 3). This exemplifies the importance of studying a range of specimens to find phenotypic and histological characters that are useful in fitting the puzzle to correctly identify or separate species. Differences only become evident when the specimens are studied together (Tables 2 & Table S 1). The new species exhibits a number of affinities with S. ficus (see Uriz 1988, 1990), both in terms of external morphology and in the structure of the centrotylote microscleres. It differs from S. domuncula, S. carnosus and S. tylobtusus in external morphology, having centrotylote microscleres and generally larger megaslere spicules (see Tables 3 & Table S 1). The absence of centrotylote microscleres, tylostrongyle megascleres and the poorly developed tylostyle megascleres in some specimens of S. dandelenae sp. nov. illustrates that secondary loss of spicules can occur readily. Sponge taxonomy is largely based on spicule morphology, but spicules have already been shown to be potentially unreliable for phylogenetics due to their high level of morphological homoplasy (Fromont & Bergquist 1990; Manuel et al. 2003; Cárdenas et al. 2011), as well as for alpha – taxonomy due to intra – specific variation (Schönberg & Barthel 1998). Zea (1987) found that spicules, especially microscleres, can be present or absent in sponge specimens depending on their location, and that variations in megascleres are rare. Maldonando et al. (1999) showed that variation in spicule type and shape can also be explained by silicon limitation. Although there is considerable latitudinal variability in the frequency, intensity and seasonality of upwelling in the Benguela ecosystem, the region is not generally considered to be silicon – poor in deeper water. It is worth noting here that whilst surface waters may become stripped of silica by diatoms in upwelling areas, the same is not true of bottom waters where the sponges are found owing to remineralisation (Pitcher et al. 1992). Location and seawater chemistry are unlikely to be responsible for the considerable variation in spicule types found in S. dandelenae sp. nov. as samples collected from the same trawl often had different spicule complements (Figure 8). The magnitude between depth differences in concentration of dissolved silicate (and temperature), have been examined in order to assess their potential relevance in the development and / or maintenance of the sponge aggregations. The mean concentration of silicate, a crucial nutrient used by sponges to build their silica skeleton, ranges from 12.22 to 17.36 µM over the year between 100 – 400 m depth, being only approximately 20 µM lower on average than values deeper than 400 m. Suberites dandelenae sp. nov. is most abundant between the 100 – 200 m depth range. Temperature values decrease towards the deeper depths. It remains unclear what the particular conditions are that have favored the impressive aggregation of S. dandelenae sp. nov. between 100 – 200 m depth range. As this sponge is characterized by a well – developed organic body by having a massive silica skeleton, it would be expected to require large amounts of dissolved silicon for growth and build its skeletal framework. However, average silicate concentrations where the sponges are found were stable, even in areas where the sponge occurs in far lower abundance. The data suggest that dissolved silicon availability in the southern Benguela may not be particularly responsible for the occurrence of S. dandelanae sp. nov.. Intra – specific variation in spicule complement can often be the result of phenotypic plasticity due to the influence of environmental factors. Our study, like that of Cárdenas & Rapp (2013) presents another case of intra – specific spicule variation, most probably as a consequence due to sponge size (or age), as opposed to reflecting changes due to environmental conditions or latitudinal / bathymetric variations (Figure 14). However, little more than mere speculation can be offered at the current stage of knowledge, because virtually nothing is known both about the reproductive biology and dispersal ability of this new Suberites species. This study reiterates the point by Cárdenas & Rapp (2013) that taxonomist should be careful when delinating species only by the presence or abundance of one type of spicule. A few examples of such inappropriate use of spicules as morphological characters exist in the genera Erylus, Geodia (Cárdenas & Rapp 2013) and Crambe (Maldonado et al. 1999). Based on the above considerations, megasclere type may not be a stable or valid taxonomic character for species discrimination within the genus Suberites. The structure and presence of centrotylote microscleres, as a trait for species identification, should also be considered carefully due to the rarity and possible inconsistent occurrence of this type of microsclere in the new species. Nevertheless, the present species is clearly distinct from other Suberites species (Table S 1), and any uncertainties regarding this particular trait are irrelevant in its recognition as a new species. Further studies are needed to fully document the population dynamics of S. dandelenae sp. nov. in light of our conclusions that the species has a restricted geographical range in the southern Benguela upwelling region, and it is critical to understand the species' ecological role in the region’s coastal and continental shelf marine ecosystems.	en	Samaai, Toufiek, Maduray, Seshnee, Janson, Liesl, Ngwakum, Benedicta (2017): A new species of habitat – forming Suberites (Porifera, Demospongiae, Suberitida) in the Benguela upwelling region (South Africa). Zootaxa 4254 (1): 49-81, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4254.1.3
