A New Species of Genus Plakortis Schulze 1880(Porifera: Homoscleromorpha) from Badabalu Andaman and Nicobar IslandsIndia

摘要

Recently revealed Class: Homoscleromorphaplay a significant role in sponge systematics. The smaller size, cryptic habits andunresolved species complex are greater obstacles for the taxonomic identification of thisclass. Out of < 100 species, only 6 species have been described from the Indian region.Till date, only one species of the genus , that is, has been described from this region. The present study provides adetailed description of new species of the genus , Schulze 1880. sp. nov. is characterized by the two size classes ofdiods (one is thick and the other is thin), triods and smooth microrhabds; with welldifferentiated ectosome, presence of subectosomal lacunae and confused choanosome. Theidentification of this new species has increased the number of plakinid species from oneto two in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. Further detailed studies are required toexplore this type of cryptic species in this region.