Demosponges from the sublittoral and shallow-circalittoral (<24m depth) Antarctic Peninsula with a description of four new species and notes on <br />in situ identification characteristics

Specimens were collected by SCUBA diving from 22 sites along the Antarctic Peninsula, spanning latitudes from Diomedea Island (62°12.185’S) to Jenny Island (67°43.325’S). The aims of the survey were to record the sponge biodiversity of the sublittoral and shallow-circalittoral and to provide information on in situ identification features. In total 24 sponge species were recorded, ranging from 0 to 12 species per site. The most widespread species...