Table 4. Comparative table of external morphology and spicular micrometries of all Exsuperantia species recorded in the North Atlantic Ocean.
Spicule measurements (n = 30 unless stated otherwise) are presented as minimum–mean–maximum. Data compiled from the original descriptions, or subsequent re-descriptions of type material (marked with numbers).
| Species | Habitus | Size | Triders | Phylo- to discotriaenes | Subtylostyles to tylotes | Acanthomicroxeas | Acanthorhabds | Amphiasters | Locality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1E. clava (Schmidt, 1879) (Syntype MZUS PO146) |
Cylindrical to clavate | Up to 30 mm long, 10 mm thick | 230–320 µm in size | – | Present | Fusiform, occasionally centrotylotes | Present | Slender rays | Cuba (depth unknown) |
| 2E. archipelagus Carvalho & Pisera, 2019 (Holotype MNHN DT-782/1) | Columnar to ficiform, with or without lateral protuberances or branches; surface is smooth, with marked water canals; colour beige to whitish | 20–30 mm × 10–20 mm | 409–693 × 52–98 µm in size | Phyllotriaenes. Cladome: 640–890 µm in diameter; rhabdome: 229–320 × 71 µm | Subtylostyles to tylostyles: 260–1114 × 3–38 µm in size | 31–47 × 2.9–4.2 µm | 18–24 × 2.3–4.1 µm | 15–19 × 1.2–1.7 µm | Azores (168–594 m depth) |
|
E. archipelagus (MNHN-IP-2008-196). |
Columnar to ficiform in habitus, with or without lateral protuberance; water canals visible on the surface; colour beige | 22–23 × 8–18 mm | 260–362–464 (n = 7) × 15–29–44 µm thick (n = 15) | Phyllotriaenes. Cladome: 199–358–470 µm in diameter (=11); rhabdome: 140 × 34.4 µm (n = 1) | 296–515–618 × 6.1–9.7–13.4 µm (n = 11) | 18.6–25.0–44.0 × 1.4–2.2–3.7 µm | 7.2–12.0–15.9 × 1.2–1.8–3.2 µm | 5.3–8.6–15.0 µm (n = 15) | Hyères Seamount (310 m depth) |
|
E. levii sp. nov. (Holotype MNHN-IP-2008-201) |
Clusters of globular to ficiform knob-like short fingers | 293–346–503 µm in size, 28–45–67 µm thick (n = 12) | Phyllo- to discotriaenes. Cladome: 143–299–486 diameter (n = 20); rhabdome: 25–73–130 × 10 –28–44 µm (n = 10) |
234–307–436 µm × 8.6–9.8–11.3 µm (n = 6) | 21.6–28.2–35.6 × 1.7–2.6–3.8 µm | 10.3–14.1–19.3 × 1.9–2.7–3.5 µm (n = 25) | 7.4–10.0–14.8 µm (n = 20). | Hyères Seamount (480 m depth) |