Rediscovery after three decades of the freshwater sponge Metania kiliani on a terrestrial fern

Redescoberta após três décadas da esponja de água doce Metania kiliani sobre uma samambaia terrestre

ABSTRACT

This study presents the second record of Metania kiliani (Porifera: Metaniidae) three decades after its description in 1992. The sponge was found on a herbarium specimen of the terrestrial fern Actinostachys pennula (Schizaeaceae), which is typically known to be absent from flooded environments. As sponges need at least some weeks to establish themselves on a support, this first record of a freshwater sponge on this fern suggests that A. pennula can withstand prolonged submergence. This is the first record of M. kiliani for the state of Roraima, Brazil.

KEYWORDS:
Actinostachys; Amazonia; Metaniidae; Porifera; Schizaeaceae; white-sand vegetation