First deep-sea Hamigera (Demospongiae: Porifera) species associated with Cold-Water Corals (CWC) on antipodal latitudes of the world
2020
Santín, Andreu | Grinyó, Jordi | Uriz, María Jesús | Gili, Josep Maria | Puig, Pere | Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España) | Generalitat de Catalunya | Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España)
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.
Show more [+] Less [-]This work received funding from the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (ABIDES Project, grant no. CTM2015-65142-R) granted to P. P. and from the Generalitat de Catalunya (2017 SGR-863) granted to P. P. and (SCG2017378) granted to M. J. U.
Show more [+] Less [-]: With the funding support of the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S), of the Spanish Research Agency (AEI).
Show more [+] Less [-]Peer reviewed
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