A new neotropical and southernmost distributional record of freshwater sponge dosilia radiospiculata (Mills, 1888) (Porifera: Demospongie: Spongillidae) from Honduras

Abstract

ABSTRACT We added a new record of a freshwater sponge at the family level from Honduras. The presence of the Dosilia genus in Central America was confirmed, extending its distribution by 890 linear miles south of Mexico. This constitutes a new southern range extension of D. radiospiculata from the Nearctic to Neotropical region. The specimen was collected from the Pacific slope of Honduras. Although sponges constitute an important element of a freshwater ecosystem, environmental pressures and contamination of rivers or other aquatic environments, where they exist, have not been considered under any category of protection.