Sponges from the Ilha Grande Bay, Rio de Janeiro State: two new records for Brazilian south-east region

Researchers have documented two new sponge species in Ilha Grande Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Iotrochota arenosa and Echinodictyum dendroides. This marks the first record of these species for Brazil and the southeastern coast, respectively. Additionally, the genus Echinodictyum was redefined to clarify its morphological variations compared to Caribbean specimens. The study highlights Ilha Grande Bay's ecological significance as a biodiversity hotspot within Angra dos Reis, contributing valuable data to marine conservation efforts in UNESCO-recognized areas.

Castello-Branco, C., & Menegola, C. (2014). Sponges from the Ilha Grande Bay, Rio de Janeiro State: two new records for Brazilian south-east region. Marine Biodiversity Records, 7. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1755267214000116