Abstract
The alpha-taxonomy of triphorids is still largely based on the study of the shell, and the scarcity of studies dealing with their anatomy is a result of the difficulty of sampling live animals and their very small size. Whereas radula and operculum are important structures in the taxonomy at the generic level, the jaw of triphorids has never been properly studied, being regarded as presenting a morphological homogeneity. The present research explored the basic anatomy (especially internal hard structures: operculum, jaw and radula) of 12 species from Brazil, distributed in 11 genera: Cheirodonta Marshall, 1983 (with a new generic allocation, Cheirodonta dupliniana (Olsson, 1916) comb. nov.), Cosmotriphora Olsson & Harbison, 1953, Iniforis Jousseaume, 1884, Latitriphora Marshall, 1983, Metaxia Monterosato, 1884, Monophorus Grillo, 1877, Nanaphora Laseron, 1958, Nototriphora Marshall, 1983, Sagenotriphora Marshall, 1983, Similiphora Bouchet, 1985 and Strobiligera Dall, 1924; in addition, the basic anatomy of the Caribbean species “Inella” harryleei Rolán & Fernández-Garcés, 2008 was analysed. Radular examination showed that the majority of species studied is properly allocated in their genera after comparisons in the literature with respective type species, albeit a few species are clearly in need of a new generic allocation. The jaw of triphorids is remarkably heterogeneous, displaying different patterns of scales and micro-pores between outer and inner sides.
Highlights
Members of the family Triphoridae are sponge feeders, and their enormous radular diversification is believed to constitute an adaptation to the great morphological plasticity in Porifera (Marshall 1983; Wells 1998)
The scarcity of studies dealing with the anatomy of triphorids is a result of the difficulty of sampling live animals, as dredging usually furnishes only empty shells, as well as of their small size; adults of most species reach less than 10 mm in shell length (Wells 1998)
The present section is divided according to the main morphological structures analysed, in order to fully explore their taxonomic aspects and relevance to the study of Triphoridae on a global scale
Summary
Members of the family Triphoridae are sponge feeders, and their enormous radular diversification is believed to constitute an adaptation to the great morphological plasticity in Porifera (Marshall 1983; Wells 1998). All of them were studied only by their shells, precluding comparisons with Caribbean specimens illustrated by the external morphology of soft parts, operculum or radula (Bandel 1984; Rolán & Fernández-Garcés 1994, 1995, 2008; Redfern 2013) An exception to this is Marshallora cf nigrocincta (C.B. Adams, 1839), which was studied by Marcus & Marcus (1963) in southeastern Brazil and was the target of an integrative taxonomic approach (Fernandes et al in prep.), not being evaluated in the present study. The objective of this research is to examine basic aspects of the anatomy of triphorids occurring in Brazil and to provide comparisons at generic and specific levels For this purpose, colored photographs of the external morphology of soft parts and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of internal hard structures, i.e., opercula, radulae and jaws, were conducted.
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