no. 3650 LOXOSOMELLA — RUTZLER 5 



dock on Magueyez Island, off La Parguera, Puerto Rico. Collected 

 Apr. 7, 1967. 



Description. — Specimens of this species are of medium size, few 

 exceeding 700/x in total length. They are brownish and occur in 

 moderate numbers on the surface of the sponge. The calyx is only 

 slightly shorter than the stalk. Comparative measurements of six 

 specimens are shown in table 2. 



Figures 4-6. — Loxosomella parguerensis, new species: 4, posterior view; 5, anterior view; 

 6, bases of two tentacles, with tentacular membrane and gland cells. 



The lophophore is directed forward and bears 14 (in rarer cases 

 only 12) long tentacles. At the base of each tentacle there are two 

 groups of large gland cells that extend as 1-cell rows into the tentacle 

 (fig. 6). A rather conspicuous tentacular membrane is present and 

 is 30/x to 4G> wide. The calyx is thin and tapers gradually but strongly 

 toward the stalk, thus having a triangular appearance. In cross 

 section, the stalk is circular below the stomach but thicker than 

 wide just above the "heel" of the foot. The comparatively long 

 foot has two delicate but distinct wings and a large bean-shaped 

 gland. 



The budding points are lateral on a level with the rounded stomach. 

 A maximum of one bud on each side was observed in April. They sit 

 in deep pockets and have eight tentacles. 



280-677—68 2 



