Sponge Aplysina Research Articles

Three new species of Spongiopsyllus Johnsson, 2000 (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida: Entomolepididae) associated with Aplysina cauliformis (Carter, 1882) (Porifera: Demospongiae) from Todos-os-Santos Bay, Northeastern Brazil

Entomolepididae is a small siphonostomatoid family with a distinct shield-like body morphology, comprising 9 genera and 20 species. These genera are divided into two subfamilies, mostly based on their body segmentation, the genera with fused pedigerous somites 2 and 3 are included in the Parmulodinae subfamily, and the genera with free pedigerous somites 2 and 3 are included in the Entomolepinae subfamily. Spongiopsyllus is an endemic Entomolepinae genus, and its four known species are known only of Northeastern Brazil. This study reports three new species of this genus, all found associated with the sponge Aplysina cauliformis. The three new species share 16-segmented antennules, the position of the aesthetasc on the 14th segment, a 2-segmented antennal endopod and 4 setae on the outer lobe of the maxillule. Spongiopsyllus athosi sp. nov. has the maxillule with 3 setae on the inner lobe, and maxilliped endopod 3-segmented with setal formula (2,1,1+claw); S. porthosi sp. nov. has the maxilliped endopod 3-segmented with setal formula (2,2,0+claw); and S. aramisi sp. nov. differs from its congeners by having the antennal exopod with 6 spinules, plus the maxilliped endopod 3-segmented with seta formula (2,1,1+claw). An updated key to the species of the family is provided.

Transcriptomic responses of Mediterranean sponges upon encounter with symbiont microbial consortia

BackgroundSponges (phylum Porifera) constantly interact with microbes. They graze on microbes from the water column by filter-feeding and they harbor symbiotic partners within their bodies. In experimental setups, sponges take up symbionts at lower rates compared with seawater microbes. This suggests that sponges have the capacity to differentiate between microbes and preferentially graze in non-symbiotic microbes, although the underlying mechanisms of discrimination are still poorly understood. Genomic studies showed that, compared to other animal groups, sponges present an extended repertoire of immune receptors, in particular NLRs, SRCRs, and GPCRs, and a handful of experiments showed that sponges regulate the expression of these receptors upon encounter with microbial elicitors. We hypothesize that sponges may rely on differential expression of their diverse repertoire of poriferan immune receptors to sense different microbial consortia while filter-feeding. To test this, we characterized the transcriptomic response of two sponge species, Aplysina aerophoba and Dysidea avara, upon incubation with microbial consortia extracted from A. aerophoba in comparison with incubation with seawater microbes. The sponges were sampled after 1 h, 3 h, and 5 h for RNA-Seq differential gene expression analysis.ResultsD. avara incubated with A. aerophoba-symbionts regulated the expression of genes related to immunity, ubiquitination, and signaling. Within the set of differentially-expressed immune genes we identified different families of Nucleotide Oligomerization Domain (NOD)-Like Receptors (NLRs). These results represent the first experimental evidence that different types of NLRs are involved in microbial discrimination in a sponge. In contrast, the transcriptomic response of A. aerophoba to its own symbionts involved comparatively fewer genes and lacked genes encoding for immune receptors.ConclusionOur work suggests that: (i) the transcriptomic response of sponges upon microbial exposure may imply “fine-tuning” of baseline gene expression as a result of their interaction with microbes, (ii) the differential response of sponges to microbial encounters varied between the species, probably due to species-specific characteristics or related to host’s traits, and (iii) immune receptors belonging to different families of NLR-like genes played a role in the differential response to microbes, whether symbionts or food bacteria. The regulation of these receptors in sponges provides further evidence of the potential role of NLRs in invertebrate host-microbe interactions. The study of sponge responses to microbes exemplifies how investigating different animal groups broadens our knowledge of the evolution of immune specificity and symbiosis.

Methanolic Extract and Brominated Compound from the Brazilian Marine Sponge Aplysina fulva Are Neuroprotective and Modulate Inflammatory Profile of Microglia.

Neurodegenerative diseases involve neuroinflammation and a loss of neurons, leading to disability and death. Hence, the research into new therapies has been focused on the modulation of the inflammatory response mainly by microglia/macrophages. The extracts and metabolites of marine sponges have been presented as anti-inflammatory. This study evaluated the toxicity of an extract and purified compound from the Brazilian marine sponge Aplysina fulva as well as its neuroprotection against inflammatory damage associated with the modulation of microglia response. PC12 neuronal cells and neonatal rat microglia were treated with the methanolic extract of A. fulva (AF-MeOH, 0.1-200 μg/mL) or with its purified dimethyl ketal of 3,5-dibromoverongiaquinol (AF-H1, 0.1-100 μM). Cytotoxicity was determined by MTT tetrazolium, Trypan blue, and propidium iodide; microglia were also treated with the conditioned medium (CM) from PC12 cells in different conditions. The microglia phenotype was determined by the expression of Iba-1 and CD68. AF-MeOH and AF-H1 were not toxic to PC12 or the microglia. Inflammatory damage with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 5 μg/mL) was not observed in the PC12 cells treated with AF-MeOH (1-10 μg/mL) or AF-H1 (1-10 μM). Microglia subjected to the CM from PC12 cells treated with LPS and AF-MeOH or AF-H1 showed the control phenotype-like (multipolar, low-CD68), highlighting the anti-neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective effect of components of this marine sponge.

Severe hurricanes increase recruitment and gene flow in the clonal sponge Aplysina cauliformis.

Upright branching sponges, such as Aplysina cauliformis, provide critical three-dimensional habitat for other organisms and assist in stabilizing coral reef substrata, but are highly susceptible to breakage during storms. Breakage can increase sponge fragmentation, contributing to population clonality and inbreeding. Conversely, storms could provide opportunities for new genotypes to enter populations via larval recruitment, resulting in greater genetic diversity in locations with frequent storms. The unprecedented occurrence of two Category 5 hurricanes in close succession during 2017 in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) provided a unique opportunity to evaluate whether recolonization of newly available substrata on coral reefs was due to local (e.g. re-growth of remnants, fragmentation, larval recruitment) or remote (e.g. larval transport and immigration) sponge genotypes. We sampled A. cauliformis adults and juveniles from four reefs around St. Thomas and two in St. Croix (USVI). Using a 2bRAD protocol, all samples were genotyped for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Results showed that these major storm events favoured sponge larval recruitment but did not increase the genetic diversity of A. cauliformis populations. Recolonization of substratum post-storms via clonality was lower (15%) than expected and instead was mainly due to sexual reproduction (85%) via local larval recruitment. Storms did enhance gene flow among and within reef sites located south of St. Thomas and north of St. Croix. Therefore, populations of clonal marine species with low pelagic dispersion, such as A. cauliformis, may benefit from increased frequency and magnitude of hurricanes for the maintenance of genetic diversity and to combat inbreeding, enhancing the resilience of Caribbean sponge communities to extreme storm events.

Novel microsatellite markers suggest significant genetic isolation in the Eastern Pacific sponge Aplysina gerardogreeni

BackgroundThe Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) harbors a great diversity of Porifera. In particular, the Aplysina genus has acquired biotechnological and pharmacological importance. Nevertheless, the ecological aspects of their species and populations have been poorly studied. Aplysina gerardogreeni is the most conspicuous verongid sponge from the ETP, where it is usually found on rocky-coralline ecosystems. We evaluated the polymorphism levels of 18 microsatellites obtained from next-generation sequencing technologies. Furthermore, we tested the null hypothesis of panmixia in A. gerardogreeni population from two Mexican-Pacific localities.Methods and resultsA total of 6,128,000 paired reads were processed of which primer sets of 18 microsatellites were designed. The loci were tested in 64 specimens from Mazatlan, Sinaloa (N = 32) and Isabel Island, Nayarit (N = 32). The microsatellites developed were moderately polymorphic with a range of alleles between 2 and 11, and Ho between 0.069 and 0.785. Fifteen loci displayed significant deviation from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. No linkage disequilibrium was detected. A strong genetic structure was confirmed between localities using hierarchical Bayesian analyses, principal coordinates analyses, and fixation indices (FST = 0.108*). All the samples were assigned to their locality; however, there was a small sign of mixing between localities.ConclusionsDespite the moderate values of diversity in microsatellites, they showed a strong signal of genetic structure between populations. We suggest that these molecular markers can be a relevant tool to evaluate all populations across the ETP. In addition, 17 of these microsatellites were successfully amplified in the species A. fistularis and A. lacunosa, meaning they could also be applied in congeneric sponges from the Caribbean Sea. The use of these molecular markers in population genetic studies will allow assessment of the connectivity patterns in species of the Aplysina genus.

Structural characterization of a galectin from the marine sponge Aplysina lactuca (ALL) with synergistic effects when associated with antibiotics against bacteria

Lectins presents the ability to interact with glycans and trigger varied responses, including the inhibition of the development of various pathogens. Structural studies of these proteins are essential to better understand their functions. In marine sponges, so far only a few lectins have their primary structures completely determined. Thus, the objective of this work was to structurally characterize and evaluate antibacterial potential, in association with different antibiotics, of the lectin isolated from the marine sponge Aplysina lactuta (ALL). ALL is a homotetramer of 60 kDa formed by four 15 kDa-subunits. The lectin showed affinity only for the glycoproteins fetuin, asialofetuin, mucin type III, and bovine submaxillary mucin type I. The complete amino acid sequences of two isoforms of ALL, named ALL-a and ALL-b, were determined by a combination of Edman degradation and overlapped peptides sequenced by tandem mass spectrometry. ALL-a and ALL-b have 144 amino acids with molecular masses of 15,736 Da and 15,985 Da, respectively. Both structures contain conserved residues typical of the galectin family. ALL is a protein with antibacterial potential, when in association with ampicillin and oxacillin the lectin potentiates its antibiotic effect, included Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus strains. Thus, ALL shows to be a molecule with potential for the development of new antibacterial drugs.

Isolation, characterization and identification of sponge-associated bacteria producing antimicrobial compounds

Abstract. Wibowo RH, Sipriyadi, Darwis W, Putri DA, Yudha S, Mashudi, Ilsan NA, Renta PP, Masrukhin. 2023. Isolation, characterization and identification of sponge-associated bacteria producing antimicrobial compounds. Biodiversitas 24: 3616-3623. Sponges are marine biota that is currently in great demand as research object. Sponges also belong to a group of marine life that has symbiotic with bacteria. Bacteria that have formed a symbiotic relationship with a sponge may produce secondary metabolites that protect their host from pathogens. This study aimed to isolate, select, characterize and identify bacteria associated with the sponge Aplysina sp. that exhibit antimicrobial activity. The methods used in this study were bacterial isolation, screening, molecular identification, and observing their ability to produce antimicrobial compounds. A total of 16 isolates were isolated on the Sea Water Complete agar medium, and four isolates were able to inhibit the growth of pathogenic microbes including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. Four isolates with the most significant inhibitory clear zones were selected for further testing. The isolate APD10 showed the biggest inhibition zone. The molecular identification results showed that the APD3 and APD15 had genetic similarities with Bacillus subtilis, isolate APD9 had genetic similarities with Bacillus paralicheniformis, and isolate APD10 had genetic similarities with Bacillus velezensis. Two isolates (APD3 and APD15) gene sequences for the KS domain in PKS were related to polyketide synthase, while APD10 in KS was related to oxidoreductase. Two isolates (APD3 and APD15) gene sequences encoding domain A on NRPS had a relationship with a bioactive compound in the form of surfactin, APD9 was related to a bioactive compound in the form of bacitracin, and APD10 NRPS was related to adenylation.

The Potential of Sponge-Associated Bacillus spp. as A Biocontrol Agent to Inhibit Several Bacteria from Infected Catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burch)

Catfish is one of the freshwater aquaculture commodities with a high level of consumption and production in Indonesia. Disease outbreaks could occur in catfish farming activities caused by pathogenic bacteria. Several species of pathogenic bacteria can cause disease in catfish, resulting in mass death. This can lead to decrease in the food quality of freshwater fishery products, especially catfish. In cultured system, aquaculture occurrence of diseases can cause severe financial losses. Catfish samples were obtained from catfish farming with clinical symptoms of reddish spots on the outside of the body. Bacteria were isolated from the kidney and liver under aseptic conditions. These bacteria isolates were identified through their colony morphology, Gram staining, biochemical tests, molecular test, and antibacterial test of Bacillus spp. using spot and disc diffusion test. Identification based on 16S rRNA gene showed that GL1 was 99.92% closely related to Aeromonas widowei, HL1 was 100% closely to Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, and GL2 and HL2 was closely related to Bacillus cereus. The antibacterial test results of APD10 isolates of Bacillus velenzensis species inhibited GL2 pathogenic bacteria with an inhibition zone of 22.15 mm in the very strong inhibition zone and HL2 pathogenic bacteria with an inhibition zone of 8.5 mm in the moderate inhibition zone. Bacillus velezensis was isolated from the sponge Aplysina sp. could be further utilized as a biocontrol agent for the pathogenic bacteria, Bacillus cereus, that infects catfish.

The Potential of Sponge-Associated Bacillus spp. as A Biocontrol Agent to Inhibit Several Bacteria from Infected Catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burch)

Catfish is one of the freshwater aquaculture commodities with a high level of consumption and production in Indonesia. Disease outbreaks could occur in catfish farming activities caused by pathogenic bacteria. Several species of pathogenic bacteria can cause disease in catfish, resulting in mass death. This can lead to decrease in the food quality of freshwater fishery products, especially catfish. In cultured system, aquaculture occurrence of diseases can cause severe financial losses. Catfish samples were obtained from catfish farming with clinical symptoms of reddish spots on the outside of the body. Bacteria were isolated from the kidney and liver under aseptic conditions. These bacteria isolates were identified through their colony morphology, Gram staining, biochemical tests, molecular test, and antibacterial test of Bacillus spp. using spot and disc diffusion test. Identification based on 16S rRNA gene showed that GL1 was 99.92% closely related to Aeromonas widowei, HL1 was 100% closely to Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, and GL2 and HL2 was closely related to Bacillus cereus. The antibacterial test results of APD10 isolates of Bacillus velenzensis species inhibited GL2 pathogenic bacteria with an inhibition zone of 22.15 mm in the very strong inhibition zone and HL2 pathogenic bacteria with an inhibition zone of 8.5 mm in the moderate inhibition zone. Bacillus velezensis was isolated from the sponge Aplysina sp. could be further utilized as a biocontrol agent for the pathogenic bacteria, Bacillus cereus, that infects catfish.

The influence of sponge-dwelling gobies (Elacatinus horsti) on pumping rates of Caribbean sponge hosts, Aplysina lacunosa and Aplysina archeri

The influence of sponge-dwelling gobies (Elacatinus horsti) on pumping rates of Caribbean sponge hosts, Aplysina lacunosa and Aplysina archeri

The microbiome of the sponge Aplysina caissara in two sites with different levels of anthropogenic impact.

Despite the important roles that marine sponges play in ecosystem functioning and structuring, little is known about how the sponge holobiont responds to local anthropogenic impacts. Here we assess the influence of an impacted environment (Praia Preta) on the microbial community associated with the endemic sponge Aplysina caissara in comparison to a less-impacted area (Praia do Guaecá) from the coast of São Paulo state (Brazil, southwestern Atlantic coast). We hypothesized that the local anthropogenic impacts will change the microbiome of A. caissara and that the community assembly will be driven by a different process (i.e. deterministic versus stochastic) under distinct levels of impact. The microbiome at the amplicon sequence variants level was found to be statistically distinct between sponges from the different sites, and this was also seen for the microbial communities of the surrounding seawater and sediments. Microbial communities of A. caissara from both sites were found to be assembled by deterministic processes, even though the sites presented distinct anthropogenic impacts, showing a pivotal role of the sponge host in selecting its own microbiome. Overall, this study revealed that local anthropogenic impacts altered the microbiome of A. caissara; however, assembly processes are largely determined by the sponge host.

Possible Population Growth of Astrospartus mediterraneus (Risso, 1826) (Ophiuroidea, Gorgonocephalidae) in the Mediterranean Sea

During the last decades, the number of observations of the basket star Astrospartus mediterraneus (Risso, 1826) in the Mediterranean Sea has significantly grown, thanks to SCUBA diver and ROV sightings, citizen reports, as well as particularly large catches by the artisanal fishery. Having been generally considered rare in many areas of the basin, such a long-term increase of records might assign to this basket star the putative role of a winner species in the context of climate changes. In the present study, we combined the overall literature information with the data available for the Ligurian Sea collected during extensive ROV campaigns conducted between 2012 and 2022 at a depth ranging from 20 to 123 m, to better understand the distribution and abundance of this species. The basket star was observed in almost the whole explored bathymetric range living on gorgonians (Eunicella cavolini, E. verrucosa, Paramuricea clavata, and Leptogorgia sarmentosa) and massive sponges (Aplysina cavernicola, Sarcotragus foetidus, Spongia lamella, and Axinella polypoides). In the considered period, the number of recorded specimens did not show a clear trend, but differences emerged over years and months. These variations were strongly correlated with rainfall amounts that, in oligotrophic waters, such as those of the Ligurian Sea, represent an important input of organic matter for these passive filter feeders, especially in the summertime.

Diving into the Molecular Diversity of Aplysina cavernicola's Exometabolites: Contribution of Bromo-Spiroisoxazoline Alkaloids.

Sponges are prolific producers of specialized metabolites with unique structural scaffolds. Their chemical diversity has always inspired natural product chemists working in drug discovery. As part of their metabolic filter-feeding activities, sponges are known to release molecules, possibly including their specialized metabolites. These released "Exo-Metabolites" (EMs) may be considered as new chemical reservoirs that could be collected from the water column while preserving marine biodiversity. The present work aims to determine the proportion and diversity of specialized EMs released by the sponge Aplysina cavernicola (Vacelet 1959). This Mediterranean sponge produces bromo-spiroisoxazoline alkaloids that are widely distributed in the Aplysinidae family. Aquarium experiments were designed to facilitate a continuous concentration of dissolved and diluted metabolites from the seawater around the sponges. Mass Spectrometry (MS)-based metabolomics combined with a dereplication pipeline were performed to investigate the proportion and identity of brominated alkaloids released as EMs. Chemometric analysis revealed that brominated features represented 12% of the total sponge's EM features. Consequently, a total of 13 bromotyrosine alkaloids were reproducibly detected as EMs. The most abundant ones were aerothionin, purealidin L, aerophobin 1, and a new structural congener, herein named aplysine 1. Their structural identity was confirmed by NMR analyses following their isolation. MS-based quantification indicated that these major brominated EMs represented up to 1.0 ± 0.3% w/w of the concentrated seawater extract. This analytical workflow and collected results will serve as a stepping stone to characterize the composition of A. cavernicola's EMs and those released by other sponges through in situ experiments, leading to further evaluate the biological properties of such EMs.

The Sponge-Derived Brominated Compound Aeroplysinin-1 Impairs the Endothelial Inflammatory Response through Inhibition of the NF-κB Pathway.

(+)-Aeroplysinin-1 (Apl-1) is a brominated compound isolated from the marine sponge Aplysina aerophoba that exhibits pleiotropic bioactive effects, impairing cell growth in cancer cells, inhibiting angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo and modulating the redox status of different cell types, among other reported activities. In addition to the aforementioned effects, the anti-inflammatory potential of this natural compound was explored in previous work of our laboratory, but the mechanism of action underlying this effect was not described. In this work, we delve into the anti-inflammatory effect of Apl-1 in the context of vascular endothelial cells in vitro, providing new data regarding the molecular mechanism underlying this activity. The characterization of the mechanism of action points to an inhibitory effect of Apl-1 on the NF-κB pathway, one of the main axes involved in endothelial response during inflammatory events. Our results show that Apl-1 can inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory genes in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)- and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), targeting the nuclear factor kappa B subunit (NF-κB) pathway through a mechanism of action involving the inhibition of I kappa B kinase (IKK) complex phosphorylation and RelA/p65 nuclear import. In addition, Apl-1 prevented the phosphorylation of Akt induced by TNF-α in HUVECs, probably supporting the inhibitory effect of this compound in the NF-κB pathway. Experimental evidence reported in this work opens the door to the potential pharmacological use of this compound as an anti-inflammatory agent in diseases that course with a pathological endothelial response to inflammation, such as atherosclerosis.

Sponges sneeze mucus to shed particulate waste from their seawater inlet pores

SummarySponges, among the oldest extant multicellular organisms on Earth,1 play a key role in the cycling of nutrients in many aquatic ecosystems.2, 3, 4, 5 They need to employ strategies to prevent clogging of their internal filter system by solid wastes,6, 7, 8 but self-cleaning mechanisms are largely unknown. It is commonly assumed that sponges remove solid waste with the outflowing water through distinct outflow openings (oscula).3,9 Here, we present time-lapse video footage and analyses of sponge waste revealing a completely different mechanism of particle removal in the Caribbean tube sponge Aplysina archeri. This sponge actively moves particle-trapping mucus against the direction of its internal water flow and ejects it into the surrounding water from its seawater inlet pores (ostia) through periodic surface contractions that have been described earlier as “sneezing.”10,11 Visually, it appears as if the sponge is continuously streaming mucus-embedded particles and sneezes to shed this particulate waste, resulting in a notable flux of detritus that is actively consumed by sponge-associated fauna. The new data are used to estimate production of detritus for this abundant sponge on Caribbean coral reefs. Last, we discuss why waste removal from the sponge inhalant pores may be a common feature among sponges and compare the process in sponges to equivalent mechanisms of mucus transport in other animals, including humans.

Aerophobin-1 from the Marine Sponge Aplysina aerophoba Modulates Osteogenesis in Zebrafish Larvae.

Longer life expectancy has led to an increase in efforts directed to the discovery of new healing agents for disorders related to aging, such as bone diseases. Harboring an incredible variety of bioactive metabolites, marine organisms are standing out as fruitful sources also in this therapeutic field. On the other hand, the in vivo zebrafish model has proven to be an excellent low-cost screening platform for the fast identification of molecules able to regulate bone development. By using zebrafish larvae as a mineralization model, we have thus evaluated the effects of the crude acetonic extract from the marine sponge Aplysina aerophoba and its bromotyrosine components on bone development. Obtained results led to the selection of aerophobin-1 (1) as a promising candidate for applications in regenerative medicine, paving the way for the development of a novel therapeutic option in osteoporosis treatment.

Aerophobin-1 from the Marine Sponge Aplysina aerophoba Modulates Osteogenesis in Zebrafish Larvae

Aerophobin-1 from the Marine Sponge Aplysina aerophoba Modulates Osteogenesis in Zebrafish Larvae

Comparison of Different Methods for Spongin-like Collagen Extraction from Marine Sponges (Chondrilla caribensis and Aplysina fulva): Physicochemical Properties and In Vitro Biological Analysis

This study aimed to compare different protocols (Protocol 1: P1; Protocol 2: P2; Protocol 3: P3; Protocol 4: P4) for the extraction of spongin-like collagen (SC) from marine sponges. The SEM micrographs demonstrated a fibrillar structure for the extracts from Chondrilla caribensis and the nodular/particulate aggregates for Aplysina fulva. FTIR showed for all samples peaks similar to collagen for both species. For C. caribensis, the extracts obtained using P2, P3, and P4 protocols presented higher values of extraction yield, TPQ, and GAGs. P2 and P4 showed higher values of SC concentration and for antioxidant analysis. For A. fulva, P2, P3, and P4 provided a higher extraction yield besides an increase in the antioxidant assay. For both species, no difference was observed for Col quantification and TPQ analysis; also, higher values of GAGs were found using P2 and P4. Fibroblast proliferation observed for C. caribensis was lower for P1 on day 1 and for P2 and P3 on day 3 (for 50%) compared to the control group. There was a significant reduction in fibroblast cell proliferation for all A. fulva extracts evaluated. It can be concluded that protocols P2 and P4 were more efficient for extracting SC from C. caribensis.

Curvivirga aplysinae gen. nov., sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from the sea sponge Aplysina fistularis.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, motile bacterium, designated strain RKSG073T, was isolated from the sea sponge Aplysina fistularis, collected off the west coast of San Salvador, The Bahamas. Cells were curved-to-spiral rods with single, bipolar (amphitrichous) flagella, oxidase- and catalase-positive, non-nitrate-reducing and required salt for growth. RKSG073T grew optimally at 30-37 °C, pH 6-7, and with 2-3 % (w/v) NaCl. The predominant fatty acids of RKSG073T were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω6c and/or C18 : 1ω7c) and C16 : 0. Major isoprenoid quinones were identified as Q-10 and Q-9. Phylogenetic analyses of nearly complete 16S rRNA genes and genome sequences positioned strain RKSG073T in a clade with its closest relative Aestuariispira insulae AH-MY2T (92.1 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), which subsequently clustered with Hwanghaeella grinnelliae Gri0909T, Marivibrio halodurans ZC80T and type species of the genera Kiloniella, Thalassospira and Terasakiella. The DNA G+C content calculated from the genome of RKSG073T was 42.2 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic distinctiveness and polyphasic analysis, here we propose that RKSG073T (culture deposit numbers: ATCC collection = TSD-74T, BCCM collection = LMG 29869T) represents the type strain of a novel genus and species within the family Kiloniellaceae, order Rhodospirillales and class Alphaproteobacteria, for which the name Curvivirga aplysinae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed.

A new Entomolepididae genus and a new species of Spongiopsyllus Johnsson, 2000 (Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida) and their association with Aplysina Nardo, 1834 (Porifera, Demospongiae) in Todos-os-Santos Bay, Bahia, Brazil.

The Entomolepididae family is a small taxon with a very characteristic body morphology and is represented, in the Atlantic Ocean, by three genera and five species. A recent study in Todos-os-Santos Bay, in Bahia State, has revealed a new species of Spongiopsyllus and a new species and genus belonging to the Entomolepididae. The new species of Spongiopsyllus is found in association with the sponge Aplysina cauliformis (Carter, 1882) sampled at the Porto da Barra beach. It is distinguished from its congeners mainly by differences in the segmentation pattern of the antennule, endopod of antenna, and the setation of the maxillule, maxilla and maxilliped. The new genus and species from Parmulodinae Eiselt, 1959 is found in association with the sponge Aplysina solangeae Pinheiro, Hajdu Custódio, 2007, sampled at the Yacht Club Beach. The genus differs from others Parmulodinae mainly due to segmentation pattern of the antennule, endopod of antenna, maxilliped and swimming legs.