A guide to the deep-water sponges of - NMFS Scientific Publications ...

65. Kirkpatrickia borealis Koltun, 1970
Description. In situ this species has a globular body
covered with numerous papillae and possesses large
circular oscula. On deck specimens typically collapse
completely and appear to be irregularly massive-lobate
without papillae and oscula. Surface is smooth and
covered by a thin ectosomal membrane. Circular oscula
on the surface are slightly elevated and close upon
collection. The consistency is elastic and compressible.
Diameter is to 10 cm. Color in life is yellow, orange, or
golden brown.
Skeletal structure. There are ectosomal tylotes (350–
440 × 4–7 µm); choanosomal styles include a few strongyles
(470–680 × 15–22 µm).
Zoogeographic distribution. Locally common. In
Alaska – central Aleutian Islands. Elsewhere – Northwest
Pacific Ocean (previously known only from off Shikotan
Island, Kuril Islands).
Habitat. In Alaska – attached to boulders and cobbles
at depths between 82 and 426 m. Elsewhere – reported
at depths between 472 and 479 m.
Remarks. K. borealis is similar to Inflatella globosa but
is irregularly massive with relatively inconspicuous
oscules, while the latter species is more globular with
oscules on top of small papillae. Also, K. borealis has
tylotes, styles, and a few strongyles while I. globosa has
tylotes only.
Photos. 1) Collapsed specimen collected at a depth of
146 m in the central Aleutian Islands. Grid marks are
1 cm 2 . 2) Same specimen as in photo 1 in situ.
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