Structural insights and antimicrobial synergy of a proto-galectin from the marine sponge Aiolochroia crassa.

In this study, we isolated a novel lectin from the marine sponge Aiolochroia crassa, named AcrL. The lectin showed a preference for glycans containing sialic acid terminal residues, as indicated by the strongest inhibition with fetuin and bovine submaxillary mucin. Primary structure determination by mass spectrometry revealed that AcrL is a galectin with conserved amino acid residues typically involved in carbohydrate binding. Structural modeling indicated that AcrL adopts a typical galectin ß-sandwich motif, featuring two anti-parallel ß-sheets with five strands each. Docking calculations revealed a carbohydrate-binding site composed of a main site, capable of hosting galactopyranosides, and an extended site, facilitating the binding of complex carbohydrates. AcrL inhibited significant biofilm formation against Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, and Escherichia coli with concentrations ranging from 500 to 15.6 µg.mL-1 for S. aureus, 7.8 µg.mL-1 for S. epidermidis, and 500 µg.mL-1 for E. coli. Furthermore, when combined with different antibiotics, AcrL potentiated their effect against pathogenic bacteria. The antimicrobial mechanism of AcrL was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The analysis indicates that AcrL induces damage to the bacterial membrane. These findings underscore the discovery of a novel galectin in a basal organism and the comprehensive biochemical characterization conducted in this research, highlighting the potential of AcrL as a novel antibacterial agent and emphasizing its importance in combating bacterial infections.

Purification, biochemical characterization of a lectin from marine sponge Ircinia strobilina and its effect on the inhibition of bacterial biofilms.

A new lectin from marine sponge Ircinia strobilina, denominated IsL, was isolated by combination of affinity chromatography in Guar gum matrix followed by size exclusion chromatography. IsL was able to agglutinate native and enzymatically treated rabbit erythrocytes, being inhibited by galactosides, such as α-methyl-D-galactopyranoside, ß-methyl-D-galactopyranoside and α-lactose. IsL hemagglutinating activity was stable at neutral to alkaline pH, however the lectin loses its activity at 40° C. The molecular mass determinated by mass spectrometry was 13.655 ± 5 Da. Approximately 40% of the primary structure of IsL was determined by mass spectrometry, but no similarity was observed with any protein. The secondary structure of IsL consists of 28% α-helix, 26% ß-sheet, and 46% random region, as determined by dichroism circular. IsL was a calcium-dependent lectin, but no significant variations were observed by circular dichroism when IsL was incubated in presence of calcium and EDTA. IsL was not toxic against Artemia nauplii and did not have antimicrobial activity against bacterial cells. However, the IsL was able to significantly inhibit the biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis.

New records of Neopetrosia carbonaria (Lamarck, 1814) from the Brazilian coast reveal new morphological features and spicule types.

Sponges of the family Petrosiidae have usually a stony and brittle texture due the high silica content of the mineral skeleton that is formed by a more-or-less regular isotropic reticulation of undefined primary and secondary tracts. Neopetrosia species are distributed worldwide and twelve species are found in the Tropical Western Atlantic Ocean, of which four are recorded from the Brazilian coast. Here, we describe new Neopetrosia carbonaria specimens from several localities along the NE Brazilian coast, analyze the Neopetrosia carbonaria holotype and review the previous record of N. carbonaria from the Brazilian coast. Our study reveals new morphological features and spicule types in the Brazilian populations of N. carbonaria. Now, Neopetrosia carbonaria is defined by a thick encrusting to repent or ramose sponge, with reddish brown to brown color or dark green to black color in vivo, two categories of oxeas as megascleres and raphidiform toxas as microscleres. These toxas are quite rare and occur in both black and brown sponges. Due the absence and rarity of raphidiform toxas in some specimens, unrelated to its color, we assume that these differences are intraspecific. However, we suggest that all records of Neopetrosia carbonaria should be reevaluated, since toxas can be easily overlooked, added to the use of molecular methods to investigate the relationship between the Caribbean and Brazilian populations.

Checklist, diversity descriptors and selected descriptions of a highly diverse intertidal sponge (Porifera) assemblage at Costa do Descobrimento (Bahia, Brazil).

Costa do Descobrimento is located in southern Bahia, Brazil, and only 22 species of sponges (Porifera) were known from the area until now, despite its important reef formations. In the present study, we report a checklist of the sponges of Costa do Descobrimento and their distribution in the studied reefs, with several species illustrated in life. We also describe nine new sponge records for this region, some of which are new records for Brazil, or new records of species previously only poorly known. We present alpha and beta diversity indices and compare the sponge assemblage of the sampled locations. Four reefs were considered: two fringing reefs (Arraial D'Ajuda-AA and Coroa Vermelha / Mutá-CVM) and two offshore Municipal Marine Park "Parque Municipal Marinho- (P.M.M. Coroa Alta-CA and P.M.M. Recife de Fora-RF). A total of 229 specimens were collected (224 Demospongiae, 2 Homoscleromorpha and 3 Calcarea). These were classified in 101 morphotypes. Studied materials included representatives of 15 orders, 34 families and 48 genera. The richest orders are Haplosclerida (29 spp.), Poecilosclerida (15 spp.) and Tetractinellida (11 spp.). The richest families were Chalinidae (24 spp.), Clionaidae (7 spp.) and Mycalidae and Suberitidae (6 spp. each). The richest genus is, by far, Haliclona (20 spp.). Only 13 species were shared among all four reefs surveyed, namely Amphimedon viridis, Cinachyrella alloclada, C. apion, Cladocroce caelum, Cliona varians, Dysidea robusta, Mycale (Naviculina) diversisigmata, Niphates erecta, Spirastrella hartmani, Tedania (Tedania) ignis, Terpios fugax, Tethya bitylastra and T. maza. The reefs with the highest richness were CA and CVM, and the lowest richness was observed in RF. The most similar reefs in terms of species composition were CA and CVM, while AA and RF were more dissimilar to the previous reefs, but also from each other. While the difference among CA, CVM and AA was mainly explained by species turnover, RF differed from the previous based on its lower richness (nestedness component). Even though CA and CVM were the richest reefs, AA presented the highest number of exclusive species, highlighting the uniqueness of this reef, and urging the inclusion of local beachrock fringing reefs in a more holistic conservation strategy at Costa do Descobrimento.

Two news species of Corallistidae (Porifera; Demospongiae; Tetractinellida) with a first record of Awhiowhio from the Atlantic.

In the present study, we describe two new species of Corallistidae from Brazil, comparing them to all valid species of the respective genera. Both are notable Porifera records, with the first specimen of Neophrissospongia Pisera and Lévi, 2002 registered for the Brazilian coast and the first specimen of Awhiowhio Kelly, 2007 registered for the Atlantic Ocean. The specimens were preserved in 80% ethanol and analyzed following classical procedure for Demospongiae, with dissociated spicule mounts, skeletal sections and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Neophrissospongia jorgeorum sp. nov. is differentiated from its congeners by the categories of spicules present, especially the lack of streptasters/amphiasters. Awhiowhio saci sp. nov. is characterized especially by the presence of spiraster-shaped microrhabds and microxeas.

A new species of Acarnus Gray, 1867 (Porifera, Demospongiae, Acarnidae) from NE Brazil.

The synapomorphic character of the genus Acarnus Gray, 1867 is the presence of the cladotylote spicule. Acarnus has 27 valid species worldwide, including five species reported from the Brazilian coast: A. innominatus Gray, 1867, A. nicoleae van Soest, Hooper & Hiemstra, 1991, A. souriei (Lévi, 1952), A. radovani (Boury-Esnault, 1973) and A. toxeata Boury-Esnault, 1973. Here we will describe A. microxeatus sp. nov., whose diagnosis is the presence of smooth microxeas and acanthoxeas, new characters for the genus. We also provide a complete characterization of the skeletal architecture and spicule morphology of A. toxeata, with scanning electron microscopy image (SEM) of the spicule set.

New lectin isolated from the tropical sponge Haliclona (Reniera) implexiformis (Hechtel, 1965) shows antibiofilm effect.

A lectin from the marine sponge Haliclona (Reniera) implexiformis (HiL) was isolated by affinity chromatography on Sepharose™ matrix. HiL showed specificity for galactose and its derivatives. The glycoproteins porcine stomach mucin (PSM) and bovine stomach mucin (BSM) were potent inhibitors. Hemagglutinating activity of the lectin was maximal between pH 5.0 and 9.0. The lectin remained active until 60°C. The presence of CaCl2 and EDTA did not affect the hemagglutinating activity. In SDS-PAGE, HiL showed a single band of 20 kDa under reduced conditions, whereas in the non-reducing conditions, it showed a band of 20 kDa and one additional band of 36 kDa. The average molecular mass determined by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS) was 35.874 ± 2 Da in native and non-reducing conditions, whereas carboxyamidomethylated-lectin showed 18,111 Da. These data indicated that HiL consists in a dimer formed by identical subunits linked by disulfide bonds. Partial amino acid sequence of HiL was determined by mass spectrometry, and revealed that it is a new type of lectin, which showed no similarity with any protein. Secondary structure consisted of 6% α-helice, 31% ß-sheet, 18% ß-turn and 45% random coil. HiL showed significant reduction in the number of viable cells of Staphylococcus biofilms.

Lissodendoryx Topsent, 1892 (Poecilosclerida: Coelosphaeridae) from Brazil: a new species and transfer of Strongylacidon oxychaetum Menegola, Santos, Moraes & Muricy, 2012 to the genus Lissodendoryx.

The genus Lissodendoryx Topsent, 1892 has 118 valid species for the world, with five species records for Brazil. Here, we provide a description of Lissodendoryx (Waldoschmittia) almeidai sp. nov., distinguished from the other species of the subgenus by its spicular dimensions and spicular set, composed of oxeas as choanosomal megascleres, tylotes and arcuate isochelae. Also, we transfer Strongylacidon oxychaetum to Lissodendoryx (Anomodoryx), and record, for the first time, Lissodendoryx (Lissodendoryx) carolinensis from Brazil in addition to Lissodendoryx (Anomodoryx) vulcanus from Pernambuco State.

A new species of Desmacella Schmidt, 1870 (Porifera, Demospongiae, Desmacellidae) from the Northeast region of Brazil.

Desmacella is a Desmacellidae characterized by monactinal megascleres, arranged in plumose bundles; microscleres are sigmas and raphides; the latter may be absent (Hajud & Van Soest 2002). Thirty species are known worldwide, of which 19 occur in the Atlantic Ocean and three on the Brazilian coast: Desmacella annexa Schmidt, 1870; D. microsigmata, Cavalcanti, Santos & Pinheiro, 2015; D. tylovariabilis, Cavalcanti, Santos & Pinheiro, 2015 (de Voogd et al. 2022; Muricy 2022). In this paper, a new species of Desmacella from the Northeast region of Brazil is described. The material examined was compared with the descriptions and/or characterizations of all Desmacella species that occur in the Atlantic Ocean (Cavaltanti et al. 2015: 367-368). The specimen was preserved in ethanol 80% and is deposited in the Porifera Collection of the Natural History Museum of the Universidade Federal da Bahia.

Three new Raspailiidae Hentschel, 1923 (Axinellida, Demospongiae) from Peru.

Currently 26 sponge species are known for the Peruvian coast, but so far no raspailiids had been recorded from this region. Raspailiidae are distributed worldwide and its species are characterized by encrusting, massive, lobate, fan-shaped or branching growth forms, usually with a very hispid surface. In the present study, three new species of Raspailiidae are described from the Peruvian coast. Two new Eurypon spp. were collected at Islas Lobos de Afuera (Lambayeque). Eurypon lacertus sp. nov. is a thinly encrusting orange sponge with choanosomal skeleton composed of large tylostyles and small acanthostyles, and ectosomal skeleton with anisoxeas. Eurypon hookeri sp. nov. is a crustose, ruby red sponge, with choanosomal skeleton composed of large (subtylo)styles and acanthostyles, and ectosomal skeleton pierced by acanthostyles and (subtylo)styles, often surrounded by bouquets of smaller styles. The third new species, Plocamione matarani sp. nov., was collected at Matarani (Arequipa). It is a thinly encrusting orange sponge, the only Plocamione with two categories of choanosomal styles, and a single category of ectosomal styles, acanthostyles and anisoacanthostrongyles. These are the first records of Eurypon and Plocamione for the Peruvian coast, and the entire Southeastern Pacific, in the case of the latter.

Two new species of freshwater sponges from Neotropical and Afrotropical Regions.

Geographic distributions of freshwater sponges are related to the geological and climatic history of the continents, on the presence of gemmules and the morphological complexity of this resistant body to withstand change. Gemmules are characteristic of the freshwater Families Spongillidae, Metaniidae and Potamolepidae. However, Acanthotylotra alvarengai, Echinospongilla brichardi and a number of other species within the genus Potamolepis do not produce gemmules. Potamolepis is endemic to the Afrotropical region with seven valid species. African freshwater sponges however, are mostly known from a single specimen (the holotype), due to the scarcity of material from these freshwater systems. In the present study, we describe two new species of non-gemmule bearing freshwater sponges from the Neotropical and Afrotropical Regions.

Oceanapia magna Sponge Presents Dual Effect on the Gastrointestinal Motility of Rodents: In Vitro and In Vivo Assays.

Oceanapia magna Santos-Neto, Nascimento, Cavalcanti and Pinheiro sponges are distributed across tropical worldwide seas. Some studies of marine products have shown interesting activities in smooth muscle models. Hence, we assessed the effect of the ethanolic extract of Oceanapia magna. (OC-EtOH) on acute toxicity and gastrointestinal motility (in vitro and in vivo) in rodent models. On guinea pig ileum, OC-EtOH induced a concentration dependent contraction on basal tonus, which was not inhibited by atropine, but in the presence of pyrilamine or verapamil, the effect was antagonized. Contrastingly, on KCl- or histamine-induced contractions, OC-EtOH presented a transient contraction followed by a concentration-dependent relaxation. Moreover, OC-EtOH presented a relaxant profile on cumulative curves to CaCl2 and tonic contraction induced by S-(-)-BayK8644, through Cav blockade. The acute toxicity assay showed that OC-EtOH (2,000 mg/kg, p.o.) did not present any sign of toxicity in female mice. Additionally, OC-EtOH presented antidiarrheal effect in mice, increased the intestinal normal transit and reduced the castor oil-induced intestinal transit. Thus, OC-EtOH presented a dual effect on guinea pig ileum promoting contraction through activation of H1 and CaV, and relaxation through CaV blockade, besides the effect on upper gastrointestinal transit in mice, showing a potential medicinal use of this sponge in intestinal diseases such as diarrhea.

Freshwater Sponge Tubella variabilis Presents Richer Microbiota Than Marine Sponge Species.

Sponges can host diverse and abundant communities of microorganisms, which constitute an interesting source of bioactive compounds. Thus, to broaden our knowledge about the diversity of the microbiota that is found in freshwater sponges, the microbial community of Tubella variabilis was analyzed using culture-independent and culture-dependent approaches. Additionally, sponge-associated bacteria were compared with those living in the surrounding waters. Bacteria were also tested for antimicrobial production. Overall, the microbial composition identified comprises at least 44 phyla belonging mainly to Proteobacteria and low percentages of Bacteroidetes, Acidobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia. Alphaproteobacteria was the dominant class in T. variabilis while Betaproteobacteria was dominant in freshwater. Our data also revealed a high richness of bacteria in comparison to another freshwater sponge and 32 marine sponges. A global comparison of the structure of microbiota of different sponges showed that the main structuring factor may be the sponge environment, with T. variabilis and all freshwater sponges clustering together, and far away from the marine sponges. Bacterial strains from sponges and from freshwater were isolated and 163 morphotypes were phylogenetically identified. These belong to 26 genera, of which 12 were exclusively found in sponge samples and three only in freshwater. Inhibitory activities were also detected among 20-25% of the isolates from sponges and freshwater, respectively. This study presents new information on the composition of the microbial community found in freshwater sponges, which is diverse, abundant and distinct from some marine sponges. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity observed from the bacterial strains might play an important role in shaping microbial communities of the environment.

New records of Endectyon (Endectyon) xerampelina (Lamarck, 1814 (Demospongiae: Axinellida: Raspailiidae) from the Tropical Western Atlantic Ocean, with comments on its distribution and type locality.

The demosponge genus Endectyon is characterized by the presence of acanthostyles with recurved or clavulate spines. Two subgenera are recognized, Endectyon and Hemectyon, distinguished mainly by the acanthostyles being located only in the periphery of the axial skeleton in Endectyon, or forming the ectosomal brushes in Hemectyon. Sixteen species are known worldwide, of which only two were reported from the Western Atlantic Ocean. However, the type locality of Endectyon xerampelina is uncertain, and it could be located either in the Western Atlantic or in Australia. In the present study, we describe new records of E. xerampelina from the Brazilian coast and propose that Raspailia (R.) johnhooperi from the Guyana shelf is a junior synonym of E. xerampelina. Our results support the hypothesis that the type locality of E. xerampelina is located somewhere in the Tropical Western Atlantic Ocean and also that the species belongs to the subgenus Endectyon (Endectyon). We amended the diagnosis of the subgenus Endectyon (Endectyon) to account for the variability of acanthostyle shape in E. (E.) xerampelina, assigning greater taxonomic value to the position of the echinating megascleres than to their shape and pattern of spination.

Two new Clathria (Axosuberites) Topsent, 1893 (Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from Northeastern Brazil.

The genus Clathria Schmidt, 1862 is the richest genus of the family Microcionidae, but only 20 species have been recorded from Brazil until now. Clathria (Axosuberites) Topsent, 1893 is characterized by having digitate, whip-like, arborescent and flabellate growth forms, lacking echinating spicules, well differentiated axial and extra-axial skeleton, styles and/or subtylostyles as principal spicules, and microscleres palmate isochelae and toxas. The subgenus contains 19 valid species, with worldwide distribution predominantly in shallow waters. Six species occur in the Atlantic Ocean and two of them are recorded from the Western Atlantic in South America: Clathria (Axosuberites) riosae Van Soest, 2017, and Clathria (Axosuberites) marplatensis (Cuartas, 1992). Specimens analyzed in this study were collected in 2015 at Mamanguape estuary, Paraíba State, and in 2017 at Tutóia beach, Maranhão State. Here we described two new species of Clathria (Axosuberites) for the first time in Brazilian waters: Clathria (Axosuberites) aurantia n. sp. and Clathria (Axosuberites) hillenburgi n. sp.

A new species of Acanthella Schmidt, 1862 (Porifera, Demospongiae, Dictyonellidae) from northeast region, Brazil.

Acanthella Schmidt, 1862 species are characterized by choanosomal skeleton of dendritic tracts cored by interwoven sinuously bent strongyles or strongyloxeas and echinated by straight styles, oxeas or anisoxeas (Van Soest et al. 2002). The genus Acanthella comprises 33 valid species, with six known from the Atlantic Ocean (Van Soest et al. 2018). Previously, the only record for Brazil was A. flagelliformis (Van Soest Stentoft, 1988) (Muricy 2018). Species of the genus include a transition from shrub like 'Axinellas' and herbaceous species similar to the genus Suberites Nardo, 1833 (Schmidt 1862; Vosmaer 1912). Due to its heterogeneous complex of species, Acanthella has been confused with other axinellids. Similarities were seen in genera such as Phakellia (Van Soest et al. 2002), which shares spicule complement and comparable choanosomal skeletons. In the present study, we describe a new species of Acanthella from oceanographic expeditions of the northeast region of Brazil. Two specimens of Acanthella sp. nov. were collected by dredging at Ceará and Pernambuco State, Brazil. All specimens were preserved in 92% ethanol and deposited in the Porifera Collections at the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPEPOR). The taxonomic identification was carried out through analysis of spicules morphologies, using Light Microscopy (LM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), following methods described by Hajdu et al. (2011).

A new species of Characella Sollas, 1886 (Tetractinellida; Demospongiae; Porifera) from deeper waters off the coast of Brazil.

Sponges of the Family Pachastrellidae Carter, 1875 are distributed worldwide and found generally in deep water. Up to date, only four species are known for the Brazilian coast (Muricy 2018): Characella aspera Sollas, 1886, C. capitolii Mothes et al. 2007, C. pachastrelloides (Carter, 1876), and Pachastrella monilifera Schmidt, 1868. In this study, a new species of Characella is described from the mesophotic zone off Bacia Potiguar (Rio Grande do Norte State, Northeastern Brazil). The specimen was preserved in 80% ethanol and deposited in the Porifera Collection of the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPEPOR). Taxonomic comparisons were made with data tabulated for all species of Characella available in the World Porifera Database (van Soest et al. 2018).

A new mucin-binding lectin from the marine sponge Aplysina fulva (AFL) exhibits antibiofilm effects.

A new mucin-binding lectin (AFL) was isolated from the marine sponge Aplysina fulva. AFL was purified by affinity chromatography on Sepharose™ matrix. Its hemagglutinating activity was independent of divalent ions, and it was weakly inhibited by simple sugars. However, porcine stomach mucin was a powerful inhibitor. In SDS PAGE, piridylethylated AFL showed one band of approximately 16 kDa, whereas in the non-reducing conditions, AFL showed at least two bands of 30 and 70 kDa. Mass spectrometry MALDI-ToF analysis showed one major ion of 31,652 ±â€¯5 Da, which corresponded to a dimer formed by subunits linked by disulfide bonds. The first fifteen amino acids of AFL were determined, and no sequence similarity was observed with any known protein. Internal sequences were obtained by mass spectrometry analysis of tryptic digestion of AFL spots. These peptides showed similarity with a lectin from marine sponge Aplysina lactuca. Secondary structure of AFL was predominantly formed by ß-conformations, which were stable at variations of pH and temperature. AFL did not inhibit planktonic growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria tested. However, the lectin did significantly reduce the biomass biofilm of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, and Escherichia coli.

New records of Biemna Gray, 1867 (Biemnidae: Biemnida: Demospongiae) and a replacement name for the species Biemna microstyla Thomas, 1984.

Biemna Gray, 1867 is characterized by stylote or exceptionally oxeote megascleres arranged in a plumoreticulate skeleton, ectosomal skeleton consists of the brushed endings of choanosomal tracts, microscleres are sigmas, microxeas, commata and raphides (Hajdu Van Soest 2002). Currently, Biemna has 55 valid species (Van Soest et al. 2018). In Brazil, three species are known from northern region (Muricy 2018): Biemna microacanthosigma Mothes, Hajdu, Lerner Van Soest, 2004, Biemna spinomicroxea Mothes, Campos, Lerner, Carraro Van Soest, 2005, Biemna trisigmata Mothes Campos, 2004. In this present study, a new name is proposed for a preoccupied combination, Biemna thomasi nom. nov. The species Biemna caribea Pulitzer-Finali, 1986 is recorded and described for the first time in Brazilian waters. Six specimens of Biemna were studied in Pernambuco and Bahia States. All specimens were preserved in 80% ethanol and deposited on the Porifera Collections at the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPEPOR).

Taxonomy of deep-water tetillid sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae, Spirophorina) from Brazil, with description of three new species and new characters.

Since the 19th century the deep-sea sponges from Brazil have been studied and many of them are still being discovered. This study describes five species of tetillid sponges from deep waters of the Brazilian economic exclusive zone; three are new, one is a new occurrence, and another is a known species which is here analyzed. The new species found are: Cinachyrella clavaeformis sp. nov. from the Columbia Seamount (85 m depth), Cinachyrella strongylophora sp. nov. from the Almirante Saldanha Seamount (270 m depth) and Craniella curviclada sp. nov. from slope of the Espírito Santo Basin (500 m depth). The two new species of Cinachyrella possess microacanthoxeas like those found in Cinachyrella kuekenthali (Uliczka 1929); this last species occurs in Caribbean region (4-100 m depth) and in N, NE and SE Brazil (0.2-100 m depth). The type material of Craniella corticata (Boury-Esnault 1973); from NE Brazil (75 m depth), has been found to be a synonym of Cinachyrella kuekenthali. Craniella crustocorticata van Soest 2017; from the Guyana shelf and slope (618-500 m depth), is here reported from the slope of NE and SW Brazil (400-700 m depth). A disorganized choanosomal skeleton (in Cinachyrella clavaeformis sp. nov.), strongyles (in Cinachyrella strongylophora sp. nov.) and a single-layered cortex of tangential oxeas (in Craniella crustocorticata) are new diagnostic characters that have led us to propose slight amendments in the definitions of Cinachyrella Wilson 1925 and Craniella Schmidt 1870. We discuss these and other morphological characters as well as their usefulness in Tetillidae. The diversity, distribution and bathymetry of tetillid sponges from Brazil are discussed and our knowledge of the composition of deep-sea sponges (deeper than 100 m) off Brazil is updated.