A guide to the deep-water sponges of - NMFS Scientific Publications ...

93. Latrunculia (Biannulata) oparinae Samaii and Krasokhin, 2002
Description. Globular sponge has numerous small oscula
on short, wart-like elevations. Water jets are emitted
through the oscula when the sponge is squeezed. Areolate
pore-fields collapse upon collection and are only
visible in situ. Consistency is rather firm, only slightly
elastic and difficult to tear. Diameter is to at least 16 cm.
Two distinct colors have been observed in situ – dark
brown (dominant) and olive-green.
Skeletal structure. Ectosome is thick and leathery,
consisting of a cortex of tightly packed anisodiscorhabds.
Fusiform, slightly sinuous styles have acanthose heads
(320–525 × 9–15 µm) and anisodiscorhabds (42–50 µm).
Zoogeographic distribution. Locally common and
abundant (densities up to 14 individuals per m 2 in
Alaska). In Alaska – central Aleutian Islands. Elsewhere
– previously known only from the Kuril Islands in the
Sea of Okhotsk.
Habitat. Attached to bedrock, boulders, cobbles, and
pebbles at depths between 79 and 288 m (possibly to
113
438 m). Elsewhere – reported at depths between 176
and 202 m.
Remarks. Sponges in the genus Latrunculia contain
the cytotoxic discorhabdin class of pyrroloiminoquinone
alkaloids that exhibit significant antiviral activity
against hepatitis virus C (HCV), antimalarial activity
against Plasmodium falciparum, and antimicrobial effects
against the AIDS opportunistic pathogens methicillinresistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Mycobacterium
intracellulare, and M. tuberculosis (Na et al., 2010). This
species is associated with several gorgonians, including
Thouarella spp. and Plumarella spp.
Photos. 1) Specimen collected at a depth of 150 m
in the central Aleutian Islands. Grid marks are 1 cm 2 .
2) Same specimen as in photo 1 (right) in situ with the
olive-green morph (left). 3) Specimen collected at a
depth of 146 m in the central Aleutian Islands. Grid
marks are 1 cm 2 . 4) Same specimen as in photo 3 (center)
in situ.