Von Lendenfeld Research Articles

First records of Phyllorhiza punctata von Lendenfeld, 1884 (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa, Mastigiidae) from Nagasaki and Kagoshima Prefectures, Japan

Phylllorhiza punctata von Lendenfeld, 1884 originates from Australia and Coral Triangle, but its occurrence has been reported in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, so it is necessary to better understand its geographic range. Two specimens were collected in Nagasaki and Kagoshima Prefectures, Japan, and morphological and molecular studies suggest that they are P. punctata. These are the first records of the species in Japan, and it is possible that individuals have been transported to Japan by the Kuroshio Current.

Collective exploitation of large prey by group foraging shapes aggregation and fitness of cnidarian polyps

Group living is widespread and beneficial to metazoans. It improves protection and survival opportunities, reinforcing interspecific competitiveness. Benthic cnidarians often colonize large surfaces. Evidence of collective capture and exploitation of large prey by small, clumped polyps suggests that aggregation is functional to access food resources hardly achievable by isolated individuals. In turn, the chance to catch large prey may represents a driver of aggregation in polyps, whether beneficial to their fitness. Here, the effects of group foraging on aggregation, asexual reproduction, and growth rates of Aurelia coerulea von Lendenfeld 1884 polyps were experimentally tested by providing them with either small or large prey, or a mix of both to simulate the co-occurrence of preys at sea. As expected, some polyps were not able to reach the large prey. Hence, the population was a posteriori divided into group-foragers and solitary-feeders. In general, the large prey diet resulted in higher population fitness and when simultaneously supplied with the small prey represented an energetic booster resulting beneficial for all group-members. The decrease of interindividual distances was reported among group-foragers, that converged towards each other. Cnidarians are basal in metazoan evolution, and the comprehension of their collective foraging behavior, as well as the processes leading to the selective feature driving them to forage in group or not, may be essential to better understand the evolution and spread of social foraging in animals. Moreover, the access to large prey by sessile polyps of Aurelia coerulea could be pivotal in determining the increase in abundance of adult bloom-forming medusae.

The first record of the white-spotted Australian jellyfish Phyllorhiza punctata von Lendenfeld, 1884 from Maltese waters (western Mediterranean) and from the Ionian coast of Italy

The first record of the white-spotted Australian jellyfish Phyllorhiza punctata von Lendenfeld, 1884 from Maltese waters (western Mediterranean) and from the Ionian coast of Italy

UnmaskingAureliaspecies in the Mediterranean Sea: an integrative morphometric and molecular approach

Molecular analyses have led to an increased knowledge of the number and distribution of morphologically cryptic species in the world's oceans and, concomitantly, to the identification of non-indigenous species (NIS). Traditional taxonomy and accurate delimitation of species’ life histories and autecology lag far behind, however, even for the most widely distributed taxa, such as the moon jellyfish Aurelia (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa) species complex. Here we analysed mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and nuclear 28S ribosomal RNA (28S) gene sequences to assign polyps, ephyrae, and medusae collected in the Mediterranean Sea to different phylogenetic species. We find evidence for three Aurelia species, none of which are referable to the type species of the genus, Aurelia aurita (Linnaeus, 1758), and describe the anatomical, morphometric, and developmental variation within and between them. We identify Aurelia coerulea von Lendenfeld, 1884 and Aurelia solida Browne, 1905 as established non-indigenous species in the Mediterranean Sea. We describe Aurelia relicta sp. nov., an endemic species currently unique to a population in the marine lake of Mljet (Croatia). These results demonstrate the usefulness of integrative approaches in resolving taxonomic uncertainty surrounding cryptic species complexes, identifying patterns of marine biodiversity, and recognizing non-indigenous species in marine ecosystems.

A review of Ancorina, Stryphnus, and Ecionemia (Demospongiae, Astrophorida, Ancorinidae), with descriptions of new species from New Zealand waters

New collections of New Zealand ancorinid sponges with sanidasters, regular and sanidaster-like microrhabds, andamphiaster-like microscleres, has prompted us to review the integrity of ancorinid genera Ancorina Schmidt, EcionemiaBowerbank, and Stryphnus Sollas (Demospongiae, Astrophorida, Ancorinidae). The varietal name in Ancorina progressa(von Lendenfeld 1907) var. diplococcus Dendy, 1924 has been elevated to full species status, and A. stalagmoides (Dendy,1924) has been redescribed. Two new species, A. bellae sp. nov., from the Three Kings Islands, and A. globosa sp. nov.,from Campbell Rise, have been described. Two New Zealand species previously assigned to Ancorina by Dendy (1924)have been transferred to Ecionemia: E. alata (Dendy 1924) and E. novaezelandiae (Dendy 1924). The genus Stryphnus isrecorded for the first time in New Zealand waters, and 6 new species are described here; S. poculum sp. nov., S. levis sp.nov., S. novaezealandiae sp. nov., S. spelunca sp. nov., and S. atypicus sp. nov. Specimens identified as Asteropus simplex(Carter 1879) by Dendy (1924) and Bergquist (1968), a genus without triaenes, have been transferred to Stryphnus and renamed as S. ariena sp. nov., as all specimens contained rare triaenes.

The first record of Phyllorhiza punctata von Lendenfeld, 1884 from the southern Aegean Coast of Turkey

The Australian spotted jellyfish Phyllorhiza punctata was reported in September 2011, in Sulungur Lake, Mugla, on the Southern Aegean coast of Turkey. This is the second record from Turkey. The first record was in 2010 in Iskenderun, on the Levantine coast of Turkey.

A taxonomic revision of the genus Zyzzyzus Stechow, 1921 (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa: Tubulariidae)

The hydrozoan genus Zyzzyzus is revised based on reexaminations of all available type specimens and on additional material. The taxon includes four valid species: Zyzzyzus spongicolus (von Lendenfeld, 1884), from the eastern Indian and southwest Pacific oceans; the type species, Z. warreni Calder, 1988, from the Atlantic, western Indian, and western Pacific oceans; and Z. floridanus Petersen, 1990 and Z. robustus Petersen, 1990, both from the northwest Atlantic. Although type specimens of Z. calderi Petersen, 1990 could not be located, it has been assigned here to the synonymy of Z. warreni because of similarities between the two in nematocyst dimensions, in number and structure of endodermal canals, and in external morphology of the hydrocaulus and hydrorhiza. A sixth nominal species (Corymorpha iyoensis Yamada, 1958) has on one occasion been assigned to the genus, but detailed studies of the type material are needed to resolve its taxonomic affinities.

Relações de tamanho e peso das grandes medusas (Cnidaria) do litoral do Paraná, Sul do Brasil

Relações de tamanho e peso são dados básicos importantes para facilitar estimativas de estoques, de monitoramentos contínuos e de larga escala das espécies, além de permitir a obtenção de valores de biomassa a partir da distribuição de tamanho. Apesar destes dados serem básicos e de reconhecida importância ecológica e sócio-econômica, estudos biométricos das grandes medusas do litoral brasileiro ainda inexistem. Apresenta-se, neste estudo, as relações de tamanho e peso das seis espécies de macromedusas mais comuns no litoral paranaense: Tamoya haplonema Müller, 1859 e Chiropsalmus quadrumanus (Müller, 1859) - Cubozoa; Olindias sambaquiensis Müller, 1861 - Hydrozoa; Chrysaora lactea Eschscholtz, 1829, Lychnorhiza lucerna Haeckel, 1880 e Phyllorhiza punctata von Lendenfeld, 1884 - Scyphozoa. Foram utilizadas equações do tipo Y = aXb onde, Y = peso úmido; X = diâmetro da umbrela (com exceção de T. haplonema, para a qual utilizou-se a medida de altura umbrelar); a e b são os parâmetros estimados para cada população. A maioria das espécies estudadas apresentou alometria negativa, uma vez que b era menor que 3 na maioria dos casos, variando entre 2,415 e 3,028.

Reappearance and seasonality of Phyllorhiza punctata von Lendenfeld (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa, Rhizostomeae) medusae in southern Brazil

The scyphozoan Phyllorhiza punctata von Lendenfeld, 1884 (Mastigiidae), known only from Indo-Pacific waters prior to the 1950s, is today found far from its original distribution, probably due to human activities. First seen in 1955 in Brazilian waters, medusae were found in southern and southeastern coasts, disappearing (at least as a medusa) in the early 1960's. Another population was found in the late 1990's, in the state of Bahia, and again in late 2001, many sightings were reported along the coasts of Paraná and Santa Catarina (25º20'S, 48º12'W to 27º26'S, 48º22'W). A large summer bloom, followed by decline and disappearance in winter and spring, occurs every year since then. The reasons for this recent mass occurrence are unknown. Despite few scattered records of the species in Brazil, it is probably widespread, occurring from the coast of Ceará (3º43'S, 38º28'W), in the northeast, to Santa Catarina, in the south.

Morphologic and molecular redescription of Catostylus mosaicus conservativus (Scyphozoa: Rhizostomeae: Catostylidae) from south-east Australia

Two reciprocally monophyletic mitochondrial clades of the commercially valuable jellyfish Catostylus mosaicus are endemic to south-eastern Australia. Here, medusae in the two clades are shown to differ also in colour and in the dimensions of their papillae, oral disk, and bell depth. They are referred to two varieties recognized in 1884 by von Lendenfeld. The clade occupying localities adjacent to Bass Strait is redescribed as subspecies C. mosaicus conservativus; the clade from New South Wales and southern Queensland spans the type locality (Port Jackson) of C. mosaicus and is designated C. mosaicus mosaicus. Their ecology and colour, in the context of von Lendenfeld's original descriptions, and the implications for fisheries are discussed.

Cyanea capillata is not a cosmopolitan jellyfish: morphological and molecular evidence for C. annaskala and C. rosea (Scyphozoa:Semaeostomeae:Cyaneidae) in south-eastern Australia

The taxonomic status of the lion’s mane jellyfish, Cyanea, of south-eastern Australia has been unsettled since 1884 when medusae from Port Jackson were described as a new variety of C. annaskala von Lendenfeld rather than assigned to C. rosea Quoy & Gaimard described previously from the same location. Cyanea annaskala was later combined with C. mullerianthe Haacke then synonymised with C. capillata (Linnaeus), which is now considered a circumglobal species, before being resurrected as a subspecies, C. capillata annaskala, in 1986. Here I demonstrate that Cyanea in southern New South Wales and Cyanea in Tasmania and Victoria constitute two distinct morphological groups separated by >10% sequence difference in both cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and internal transcribed spacer 1. Moreover, these clades are molecularly distinct (>6%) from C. capillata collected in its North Sea type locality. Analyses of medusae from another type locality, Port Philip Bay, Victoria, demonstrate that Cyanea annaskala von Lendenfeld is a valid species. Cyanea rosea is tentatively resurrected for medusae from New South Wales, pending confirmation by analyses of medusae from the vicinity of Sydney. Assigning other south-eastern Australian Cyanea specimens from museum collections to species is difficult in the absence of molecular analyses because biogeographic and morphological inferences sometimes conflict. Integrative molecular and morphological analyses of medusae from type localities may offer the most robust approach to straightening out the often convoluted systematics of scyphomedusae.

A revision of Australian and New Zealand Tethya (Porifera : Demospongiae) with a preliminary analysis of species-groupings

Australian and New Zealand Tethya Lamarck, 1814 species have been revised on the basis of museum material and new findings. Ten new species: T. acuta, T. burtoni, T. dendyi, T. expansa, T. flexuosa, T. gunni, T.�hooperi, T. pulitzeri, T. stellodermis and T. tasmaniae are described. Tethya gigantea (von Lendenfeld, 1888), here recognised as a valid species, and T. magna Kirkpatrick, 1903, hitherto known only from South Africa, are redescribed. New observations and taxonomic remarks have been provided for: T. bergquistae, T. corticata, T.�deformis, T. inflata, T. phillipensis, T. ingalli, T. laevis, T. monstrosa, T. orphei, T. robusta, T. seychellensis and T.�tuberculata. The revised species list includes 31 valid species, most of which are endemic to Australia or New Zealand. Species-groups within the genus were investigated using cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling.

Eudendrium (Cnidaria, Anthomedusae) from the Antarctic Ocean with description of two new species

The taxonomy of the genus Eudendrium was critically reviewed by Picard (in 1951), who introduced the type and disposition of the nematocysts as the most important character for species identification. Until now, all descriptions of Antarctic Eudendrium lacked an analysis of the cnidome, and the poor state of preservation of the specimens deposited in the museums often makes the description of this character impossible. Moreover, the gonophores were only known for a few species. This lack of data makes the taxonomic position of the greater part of Antarctic Eudendrium uncertain. In this paper, we report on three Antarctic species of the genus Eudendrium: Eudendrium scotti sp. nov. and E. generale von Lendenfeld, recorded from the material collected during the XV Italian Antarctic Expedition (1999–2000) at Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea, and E. jaederholmi sp. nov., derived during the examination of material deposited at the Swedish Museum, classified as E. rameum by Jaderholm in 1905.

The taxonomic significance of the short-shafted mesotriaene reviewed by parsimony analysis: validation of Pachastrella ovisternata Von Lendenfeld (Demospongiae: Astrophorida)

The spicule complement of a demosponge specimen collected from the Atlantic coast of Spain was noted to be similar to that of Pachastrella monilifera, but particularly characterized by the presence of short-shafted mesotriaenes. After detailed examination, it was concluded that the specimen undoubtedly belonged to the species Pachastrella ovisternata Von Lendenfeld, 1894. For a long time, this species has been regarded a synonym of Pachastrella monilifera Schmidt, 1868. Examination of this new specimen showed that Pachastrella ovisternata was a valid species of the genus Pachastrella. Moreover, it denoted the real existence of mesotriaenes in this genus.

Predation on jellyfish by the cephalopod Argonauta argo

Predation on jellyfish by the cephalopod Argonauta argo

Isolation of geodiatoxins 2–4 from the marine sponge Geodia mesotriaena

1. In a previous study of the marine sponge Geodia mesotriaena von Lendenfeld for antineoplastic constituents, evidence was obtained for the presence of several toxins and geodiatoxin 1 was isolated. 2. Further separations guided by bioassay using CDF 1 mice have led to the isolation of three additional chromoprotein toxins lethal at 8 mg/kg.

Isolation of geodiastatins 1 and 2 from the marine sponge Geodia mesotriaena.

An aqueous extract of the Gulf of California Geodia mesotriaena von Lendenfeld (Porifera) has been found to contain two chromoprotein antineoplastic agents designated geodiastatins 1 and 2. The active brownish-black proteins from this siliceous sponge were found to contain major (greater than 1%) amounts of silicon and to inhibit growth of the murine P388 lymphocytic leukemia. A related protein (geodiatoxin 1) was found to be toxic at 6 mg/kg (LI100, mouse).

The Sequence of Photophore Development inXenodermichthys Copei(Pisces: Alepocephalidae)

In the family Alepocephalidae there areca. 19 valid genera (Markle, personal communication). Whilst luminescence has never been observed, there are four genera,Xenodermichthys, Photostylus, RouleinaandMicrophotolepis, which contain species bearing structures that have been interpreted anatomically as photophores (Herring & Morin, 1978). Among these four there is a remarkable diversity of photophore structure. The photophores ofXenodermichthysandPhotostylusare similar in having well developed central cores (reddish violet inXenodermichthys) and reflector layers, yet those ofXenodermichthysare sessile whilst those ofPhotostylusare borne on stalks (e.g. von Lendenfeld, 1887; Best & Bone, 1976). Not all species ofRouleinahave light organs but where they are present they are sessile. Photophore structure ofRouleinahas been examined only inR. maderensisMaul and was found there to be rather degenerate in adults (Markle, 1978). The light organs ofMicrophotolepis multipunctataSazanov and Parin differ yet again in being scale covered, which contrasts with the naked photophores in the other three genera (Sazanov & Parin, 1977). The abundance and distribution of photophores in adults also varies with genus and species. Thus inMicrophotolepisandXenodermichthysthey are extremely numerous and regularly arranged but inPhotostylusthey are few and less ordered (Günther, 1887; Beebe, 1933; Sazanov & Parin, 1977). In different species ofRouleinaphotophores may be relatively abundant and regularly arranged or few in number without such regular pattern (Maul, 1948; Uyeno & Kishida, 1977; Markle, 1978).

On the occurrence of Alepas pacifica Pilsbry in Tasmania

During the course of biological investigations for C.S.I.R. Fisheries Division, an officer of the Division collected several medusae in Marion Bay, on the east coast of Tasmania. These medusae (Cyanea capillata var. annaskala von Lendenfeld) were found to carry on the fringe and upper surface of the umbrella, a number of nude pedunculate barnacles, which correspond anatomically with Pilsbry's description (1907) of Alepas pacifica. The distribution of the species and its host relationship are discussed.

Scientific results of the trawling expedition of H.M.C.S. "Thetis" off the coast of New South Wales, in February and March, 1898, sponges. Part I

The collection obtained during the brief cruise of H.M.C.S. "Thetis" proved to be exceptionally rich in sponges; over one hundred and fifty species were procured, and approximately fully one half are either rare or new species. The present paper deals with a little less than half of the Monaxonida, and includes nineteen new species, a number of others of great interest—hitherto only obtained by H.M.S. "Challenger"—and many other forms originally described by Dr. R. von Lendenfeld. The latter have been treated at some length, and have formed the basis of comparison between the types in the Australian Museum collection and the fragments received from Prof. A. Dendy, which were selected from the Lendenfeldian collection now in the British Museum. The material obtained enabled the writer to amend some of the descriptions and also the nomenclature of many of the exhibited specimens, as well as of those published in the "Catalogue of Sponges in the Australian Museum." The new species herein described are as follows: Gellius reptans; Rhaphisia ramosa; Chondropsis syringianus; Esperella ancorina; Esperella cylindrica; Esperella textilis; Esperiopsis canaliculata; Esperiopsis ferruginea; Cladorhiza waitei; Phelloderma polypoides; Desmacidon porifera; Desmacidon hispidosa; Desmacidon stelligera; Desmacidon conulissima; Desmacidon ?arenosa; Dendoryx pumicea; Dendoryx fusca; Iotrochota arbuscula; Yvesia commensalis.