Iophon nigricans

Iophon nigricans (Bowerbank, 1858) Fig. 14 Halichondria nigricans Bowerbank 1866: 266–268. Esperia nigricans – Fristedt 1885: 34–35, pl. III fig. 5. Dendoryx (Iophon) nigricans – Topsent 1891: 528. Iophon nigricans – Stephens 1916: 233; 1920: 29. Iophon pattersoni – Alander 1942: 55. Material examined (3 specimens) SWEDEN • 1 spec.; 57.6451° N, 11.6114° E; 74–39 m depth; 24 Aug. 2006; Artprojektets Skagerrak-inventering leg. [SK51]; dredge; P067-111006-1; voucher: GNM Porifera 890 • 1 spec.; 57.1492° N, 11.6842° E; 30–27 m depth; 31 Aug. 2006; Artprojektets Skagerrak-inventering leg. [KA19]; dredge; P067-111104-1; voucher: GNM Porifera 618 • 1 spec.; 57.5213° N, 11.6144° E; 30–25 m depth; 20 Aug. 2009; Artprojektets Skagerrak-inventering leg. [KA111]; dredge; P067-111107-1; voucher: GNM Porifera 960. Description The three specimens have a cushion or arborescent morphology. The colour is dark brown when preserved in ethanol and the natural colour is unknown. The surface is irregular with visible ridges that correspond to the aquiferous system (Fig. 13A). However, the transparent membrane at the surface, typical for specimens of I. nigricans, is not visible. This membrane was possibly lost during collecting as all specimens were collected by dredging. The surface is hispid (Fig. 13A). The consistency is friable and very compressible. Skeleton Megascleres are: acanthostyles (Fig. 13B). measuring 198– 267.9– 293.9 ± 26.6 ×4– 7.4 –10.6 ± 2.39 µm (N =11), and tylotyles with spined crowns at the ends (Fig. 13C), measuring 220– 252.1 – 278.9± 21.73 ×3.9– 5.8 –7.5 ± 1.24 µm (N =8). Microscleres are: palmate anisochelae in two size categories (Fig. 13C–D), 10 µm and 30 µm, and very small bipocilles (Fig. 13E), ca 7.5 µm. Distribution and ecology The type locality is off Cornwall, England. Furthermore, this species has been reported from the North Atlantic (both eastern and western parts), from the Bering Sea to southern Portugal. There are also some reports from the Mediterranean Sea. This wide distribution might indicate that Iophon nigricans is a species complex. Remarks Unfortunately, we were not successful in generating sequences for these specimens. The amplicons obtained resulted in sequences of bacterial contamination from the phylum Pseudomonadota.