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The Kirk Collection of Sponges (Porifera) in the Zoology Museum, Victoria University College
Phylum Porifera
Phylum Porifera
Order Calcarea
Genus Leucosolenia Bowerbank 1861
Leucosolenia rosea Kirk
H. B. Kirk Trans.N.Z.Inst., 28, 209, Plate 3 (1896)
The syntypes comprise microtome sections and spicule preparations. As Kirk's published figures agree with the spicule preparation, the latter is accordingly designated as the lectotype. Localities—Happy Valley, Wellington (lectotype); Island Bay (syntypes). Kirk did not publish any locality with his description, but the information is given on the slide-labels.
Leucosolenia laxa Kirk
H. B. Kirk Trans.N.Z.Inst., 28, 208, Plate 4, Figs, 1a-i (1896)
The syntypes comprise one spicule preparation, and two slides of sectioned colonies. As the former corresponds to Plate 4, it is designated the lectotype. All the slides bear the locality and date, Ohiro Bay, Wellington, coll. H. B. Kirk August 1895. Kirk gave no locality with his published description.
Leucosolenia intermedia Kirk
H. B. Kirk Trans.N.Z.Inst., 28, 208, Plate 4, Figs. 2a-j (1896)
The syntypes comprise fourteen microtome sections mounted on two slides. Kirk's figures show only spicules, but as the sections correspond to his description, one slide is accordingly designated as the lectotype. The published locality was "Cook Strait." The types are labelled Lyall Bay, Wellington, coll. H. B. Kirk June 20 1892. Brondsted (1926) reported the species from Island Bay.
Leucosolenia echinata Kirk
H. B. Kirk Trans.N.Z.Inst., 26, 175, Plate 22 (1894)
The syntypes comprise three whole-mounts on one slide, and two slides of spicules. The former preparation is designated as the lectotype. Kirk's published localities were "Cook Strait, Poverty Bay, Kawakawa (near East Cape)." The specimens are labelled: Wellington Heads (lectotype), coll. H. B. Kirk, 1893; Happy Valley, H. B. Kirk, 25-9-1893; Stewart Island. Brondsted (1926) reported the species from Halfmoon Bay, Stewart Island.
Leucosolenia clathrus (O. Schmidt)
O. Schmidt Suppl.Spong.Adriat.Meer., (1864)
H. B. Kirk Trans.N.Z.Inst., 28 (1896)
Happy Valley, 31-3-1893, H.B.K; Stewart Island, Nov. 1892, H.B.K.; Island Bay, 1-4-1893, H.B.K.; Budleigh, Salterton, Devon, (England), coll. H. J. Carter. The latter specimen was received through Dendy, see Kirk (1896), p. 206.
Leucosolenia challengeri Polejaeff
N. Polejaeff Challenger Rpts., Zoology, 8 (24) (1883)
H. B. Kirk Trans.N.Z.Inst., 28 (1896)
Island Bay, coll. H.B.K., Sept. 1895
Leucosolenia lucasi Dendy
A. Dendy Trans.Roy.Soc.Victoria, 3 (1), 45 (1891)
H. B. Kirk Trans.N.Z.Inst., 26, 178 (1894)
Happy Valley, Wellington, coll. H.B.K., 25-9-1893. Kirk (1894) recorded the species from "Cook Strait," but there is little doubt that he did not intend this to mean anything other than the littoral zone. Brondsted (1926) has reported the species from Pegasus Bay, Stewart Island.
Leucosolenia cerebrum (Haeckel)
E. Haeckel Kalkschwaeme, 2, 54 (1872)
H. B. Kirk Trans.N.Z.Inst., 28 (1896)
Makara, Wellington coll. H.B.K., 22-8-1892, 17-3-1893.
Leucosolenia ventricosa (Carter)
H. J. Carter Ann.Mag.Nat.Hist. (1886)
No locality. The specimen may be from Dendy who (1891) reported the species from near Port Phillip Heads, Australia.
Leucosolenia protogenes (Haeckel)
E. Haeckel Kalkschwaeme, 2, 17 (1872)
No locality. Brondsted (1926) reported this species from Moko Hinau Island, Island Bay and (1923) Auckland and Campbell Islands. The specimen may have come from Dendy who (1891) reported the species from Port Phillip Heads, Australia, coll. J. B. Wilson.
Leucosolenia proxima Dendy
A. Dendy Trans.Roy.Soc.Victoria 3 (1), 62 (1891)
H. B. Kirk Trans.Roy.Soc.N.Z., 28 (1896)
No locality; but Kirk (1896) reported the species from "Cook Strait."
Leucosolenia tripodifera (Carter)
H. J. Carter Ann.Mag.Nat.Hist., 505, (1896)
No locality. Dendy reported the species from near Port Phillip Heads, Australia, Westernport (Victoria), and Kent Islands (Bass Strait), and the specimen may have reached Kirk from Dendy.
Genus Leucascus Dendy 1893
Leucascus simplex Dendy
A. Dendy Proc.Roy.Soc.Victoria, 5 (N.S.), 69 (1893)
Syntype (merotype), from Port Phillip Heads, Dendy's register number RN226. Also a specimen from Makara, Wellington, coll. H.B.K.
Genus Sycon Risso 1826
Sycon pedicellatum Kirk
H. B. Kirk Trans.N.Z.Inst., 30, 313, Plates 21, 22 (1898)
The material comprises three syntypes, one slide of transverse sections, the two others of longitudinal sections. As the former corresponds with Kirk's published figure, Plate 21, Fig. lb, it is designated the lectotype. The locality is not stated on the material, but Kirk (1898) gave "Whangaruru, and adjacent coast of North Auckland, between tidemarks." He later found "a much finer form at Plimmerton, in Cook Strait."
Sycon carteri Dendy
A. Dendy Proc.Roy.Soc.Victoria, 5 (N.S.), 77 (1893)
No locality. Probably one of Dendy's syntypes from St. Vincent's Gulf, South Australia.
Sycon raphanus O. Schmidt
O. Schmidt Spong.Adriat.Meer., 14 (1862)
No locality. Probably one of Dendy's specimens from near Port Phillip Heads, Australia (see Dendy, 1893).
Sycon ramsayi (von Lendenfeld)
Von Lendenfeld Proc.Linn.Soc.N.S.W., 9, 1097 (1885)
No locality. Probably one of the specimens reported by Dendy (1893) from Port Jackson, Australia.
Sycon giganteum Dendy
A. Dendy Proc.Roy.Soc.Victoria, 5 (N.S.), 84 (1893)
No locality. Probably one of Dendy's syntypes (merotype) from St. Vincent's Gulf, South Australia.
Sycon ornatum Kirk
H. B. Kirk Trans.N.Z.Inst., 30, 314, Plates 21 and 22 (1898)
No trace of any type material of this species has so far been discovered. The slides, if ever they are recovered, may be recognized by the fact that they should carry Kirk's serial number 43. The original pencil sketches on which Kirk's plates are based are extant, and indicate that the type or types were prepared as both transverse sections and spicule preparations.
Genus Grantia Fleming 1828
Grantia labyrinthica (Carter)
H. J. Carter Ann.Mag.Nat.Hist., p. 37, (1878)
From near Port Phillip Heads, Australia, ex Dendy collection, Dendy's registration number RN62.
Genus Grantiopsis Dendy 1893
Grantiopsis cylindrica Dendy
A. Dendy Proc.Roy.Soc.Victoria, 5 (N.S.), 90 (1893)
Syntype (merotype) from near Port Phillip Heads, Australia, coll. J B. Wilson.
Genus Ute O. Schmidt 1862
Ute spiculosa Dendy
A. Dendy Proc.Roy.Soc.Victoria, 5 (N.S.), 92 (1893)
Syntype (merotype) from Watson's Bay, Port Jackson, Australia, coll.
T. Whitelegge, Dendy's registration number RN84.
Ute syconoides (Carter)
H. J. Carter Ann.Mag.Nat.Hist., p. 135 (1886)
No locality. Dendy (1893) reported the species from near Port Phillip Heads and Port Jackson, Australia; and also (1924) from Terra Nova Station 96, seven miles east of North Cape, New Zealand, in 70 fathoms. Brondsted (1926) also has reported it from two miles east of North Cape, in 55 fathoms.
Genus Synute Dendy 1892
Synute pulchella Dendy
A. Dendy Proc.Roy.Soc.Victoria, 4 (N.S.), 1, (1892)
Holotype (merotype) from near Port Phillip Heads, Australia, coll. J. B. Wilson. Dendy states that only a single specimen was obtained.
Synute dendyi (Kirk)
H. B. Kirk Trans.N.Z.Inst., 27, 287, (1895) (Sycon dendyi)
The syntypes comprise longitudinal, transverse, and sagittal sections and also a spicule preparation. One slide is designated as the lectotype. The locality is not precisely known. Kirk (1895) gave "Cook Strait; Hokianga Heads," in that order. The species falls in Synute.
Genus Anamixilla Polejaeff 1883
Anamixilla torresi Polejaeff
N. Polejaeff Challenger Rpts., Zoology, 8 (24), 50 (1883)
Holotype (merotype) from the Challenger collection, Torres Strait, September 7, 1874, 3–11 fathoms, British Museum serial number BM37. Polejaeff states that only one specimen was taken.
Genus Lamontia Kirk 1895
Lamontia zona Kirk
H. B. Kirk Trans.N.Z.Inst., 27 289, Plate 26, Figs. 4 and 5, a-c (1895)
This is the genotype species. Only two slides have been located, one bearing badly broken transverse sections, the other a spicule preparation from the region of the peristome. The latter, which might be treated as the lectotype, shows the very characteristic triradiates, and the oxea, illustrated in Kirk's figures. It is obvious, however, that Kirk had much better material at his disposal when his
page 8
drawings were prepared, and therefore the principal syntype remains undiscovered. Should it be found, it may be recognized by having Kirk's serial number 29. The locality is not precisely known; Kirk gave "Cook Strait."
Genus Leucandra Haeckel 1872
Leucandra gladiator Dendy
A. Dendy Proc.Roy.Soc.Victoria, 5 (N.S.), 101 (1893)
Holotype (merotype) from outside Port Phillip Heads, coll. J. B. Wilson. Dendy states that only a single specimen was taken.
Leucandra phillipensis Dendy
A. Dendy Proc.Roy.Soc.Victoria, 5 (N.S.), 100 (1893)
Holotype (merotype) from near Port Phillip Heads, coll. J. B. Wilson. Dendy states that only a single specimen was taken.
Leucandra microraphis (Haeckel)
E. Haeckel Kalkschwaeme, 2, 119 (1872)
From near Port Phillip Heads, coll. J. B. Wilson. Dendy (1893, p. 105) states that a number of specimens were taken from this, and other Australian localities.
Leucandra australiensis (Carter)
H. J. Carter Ann.Mag.Nat.Hist., p. 127 (1886)
From Port Phillip Heads, Station 14, coll. J. B. Wilson, Dendy's registration number RN150. Brondsted (1926) has since reported this species from Little Barrier Island, New Zealand, in 30 fathoms.
Leucandra hispida (Carter)
H. J. Carter Ann.Mag.Nat.Hist., p. 128 (1886)
From near Port Phillip Heads, coll. J. B. Wilson. See Dendy (1893) p. 99 for fuller details.
Genus Lelapia Gray 1867
Lelapia australis Carter
H. J. Carter Ann.Mag.Nat.Hist., pp. 138, 148 (1886)
Syntype (merotype), ex Dendy collection, ex Carter collection. The slide, which is evidently of considerable historical interest, carries Dendy's own label which reads "Port Phillip Heads, from Mr. Carter's specimen, Transverse section, Borax Carmine—ARTHUR DENDY." It was evidently prepared subsequently to Dendy's (1893, p. 105) statement that he had never had an opportunity of examining the species.
Genus Grantessa von Lendenfeld 1885
Grantessa intusarticulata (Carter)
H. J. Carter Ann.Mag.Nat.Hist., p. 45 (1886)
Happy Valley; Stewart Island; Lyall Bay—all coll. H. B. Kirk, no date. Kirk does not seem ever to have recorded any of these occurrences, but Brondsted (1926) has reported the species from Island Bay. Brondsted's material was collected by Th. Mortensen, whom Kirk conducted to various Wellington collecting localities during the former's visit to New Zealand.
Grantessa hirsuta Carter
H. J. Carter Ann.Mag.Nat.Hist., p. 41 (1886)
Port Phillip Heads. This material is probably part of that mentioned by Dendy (1893, p. 106) as having been collected by J. B. Wilson.
Grantessa poculum (Polejaeff)
N. Polejaeff, Challenger Rpts., Zoology, 8 (24), 46 (1883)
Port Phillip Heads, S. Coast, Australia, coll. J. B. Wilson, B.M.I.
Genus Vosmaeropsis Dendy 1893
Vosmaeropsis macera (Carter)
H. J. Carter Ann.Mag.Nat.Hist., p. 50, (1886)
Lyall Bay, Wellington, coll. H. B. Kirk; also a specimen from near Port Phillip Heads, probably part of the material listed by Dendy (1893, p. 110) as collected by J. B. Wilson. Kirk did not, so far as I can discover, report his New Zealand occurrence.
Vosmaeropsis wilsoni Dendy
A. Dendy Proc.Roy.Soc.Victoria, 5 (N.S.), 111 (1893)
Syntype (merotype) from outside Port Phillip Heads, coll. J. B. Wilson. Material received evidently from Dendy.
Genus Heteropegma Polejaeff 1883
Heteropegma nodus-gordii Polejaeff
N. Polejaeff Challenger Rpts., Zoology, 8 (24), 45 (1883)
Syntype (merotype), from Torres Straits, Challenger Station 186, Sept. 8 1874, eight fathoms, coral sand, B.M.27. The slide is a section evidently cut from a block made by Dendy of "a portion of Polejaeff's type specimen in the British Museum" (vide Dendy, 1893, p. 113). This species is the genotype.
Genus Leucilla Haeckel 1872
Leucilla uter Polejaeff
N. Polejaeff Challenger Reports, Zoology, 8 (24), 53 (1883)
Syntype (merotype) from Challenger Station 209, January 22, 1875, Philippine Islands. 95–100 fathoms. B.M.32.
Leucilla australiensis (Carter)
H. J. Carter Ann.Mag.Nat.Hist., p. 133 (1886)
From near Port Phillip Heads, Dendy's registration number RN96.
Leucilla saccharata (Haeckel)
E. Haeckel Kalkschwaeme, 2, 228 (1872)
From Port Jackson. Australia, Dendy's registration numbers RN207 and RN209.
Leucilla vera (Polejaeff)
N. Polejaeff Challenger Rpts., Zoology, 8 (24), 68 (1883)
Holotype (merotype), Challenger Station off Kerguelen, January 1874, 10–100 fathoms, B.M.33. Only the holotype was found, as Polejaeff indicates.
Leucilla haeckliana (Polejaeff)
N. Polejaeff Challenger Rpts., Zoology, 8 (24), 69 (1883)
Syntype (merotype), Challenger Station 163a, June 3, 1874, off Port Jackson, Australia, 30–35 fathoms, rock.
Leucilla multiformis (Pol.) var. goliath (Polejaeff)
N. Polejaeff Challenger Rpts., Zoology, 8 (24), 54 (1883)
Syntype (merotype), Challenger Station 36, April 23, 1873, off Bermudas, 32 fathoms; B.M.35.
Leucilla levis (Polejaeff)
N. Polejaeff Challenger Rpts., Zoology, 8 (24), 59 (1883)
Syntype (merotype), Challenger Station 145, December 27, 1873, off Prince Edward Islands, 150 fathoms; B.M.53.
Genus Pericharax Polejaeff 1883
Pericharax carteri Polejaeff
N. Polejaeff Challenger Rpts., Zoology, 8 (24), 66 (1883)
Two slides, one of each of the varieties recognized by Polejaeff.
Syntype (merotype), of var. homoraphis Pol., Challenger Station 135, October 1873, Tristan da Cunha, 60 fathoms; B.M. 36.
Syntype (merotype), of var. heteroraphis Pol., Challenger Station 135; B.M.35.
Order Tetraxonida
Genus Tethya Lamarck 1814
Tethya lyncurium Lam. var. australis Kirk
H. B. Kirk Trans.N.Z.Inst., 43, 575, Fig. 1 (1911)
The solitary holotype is now divided into merotypes comprising one slide (carrying two sections), and the remainder of the paraffin block from which the sections were cut. From Meyer Island, near Sunday Island (Kermadecs), in rock-pools, coll. W. R. B. Oliver, April 24, 1908.
Genus Toxochalina Ridley 1884
Toxochalina oliveri Kirk
H. B. Kirk Trans.N.Z.Inst., 43, 577, Fig. 4 and Plate 27 (Fig. 2) (1911)
The solitary holotype comprises a dried specimen. Kirk's illustration of it (1911, Plate 27) is reduced to one-half natural size, a fact which is omitted from the description. The only specimen obtained was cast up in Coral Bay, Sunday Island (Kermadecs), coll. W. R. B. Oliver, May 2, 1908.
Genus Reniera Nardo 1847
Reniera reversa Kirk
H. B. Kirk Trans.N.Z.Inst., 43, 575, Fig. 2 (1911)
The syntypes comprise a dried specimen, which is selected as the lectotype, and three microscope slides. Taken in rock-pools, Meyer Island, near Sunday Island (Kermadecs), coll. W. R. B. Oliver, February 29, 1908.
Genus Chalina Grant 1861
Chalina fistulosa Kirk
H. B. Kirk Trans.N.Z.Inst., 43, 576 Fig. 3 (1911)
The solitary holotype is a dried specimen, and three merotype slide preparations also exist. Kirk illustrated only the microscopic anatomy, and so a figure of the macroscopic appearance of the holotype is given herewith; it shows the fistular processes of the upper surface to which Kirk referred when naming the species. The only specimen taken was cast up on Denham Bay Beach, Sunday Island (Kermadecs), coll. W. R. B. Oliver, July 27, 1908.
Genus Stylohalina Kirk 1909
Stylohalina conica Kirk
H. B. Kirk Subantarctic Is. of N.Z., 539, Pl. 25 (1909)
No material has so far been located for this species, which Kirk described from Perseverance Harbour, Campbell I., between tide-marks. Brondsted (1923) considers Stylohalina to be Hymeniacidon Bwk., 1861.
Genus Clathriodendron von Ledenfeld 1888
Clathriodendron rubrum Kirk
H. B. Kirk Trans.N.Z.Inst., 43, 580, Fig. 6 and Plate 27 (Fig. 1) (1911)
The material so far discovered is of syntype status, and comprises two paraffin blocks, together with three slides cut from these; two slides of spicules; and two other slides of hand-cut sections. Although Kirk did not designate types, the photographic ilustration on the Plate 27 cited above would normally be treated now as adequate indication of the holotype, which could easily be recognized if it still survives. As there is still a chance that the specimen may be discovered. I refrain from nominating a lectotype at present.
Cast up on Denham Bay beach, Sunday Island, coll. W. R. B. Oliver, August 29, 1908.
Genus Clathria Schmidt 1862
Clathria intermedia Kirk
H. B. Kirk Trans.N.Z.Inst., 43, 579, Fig. 5 (1911)
As only one specimen was found, the dried specimen which carries Kirk's identification is of course the holotype. As its macroscopic characters have not hitherto been illustrated, the specimen is shown in Fig. 2 of this paper. In addition, two merotype slides exist, one a spicule preparation, the other a section.
Cast up on Denham Bay beach, Sunday Island, coll. W. R. B. Oliver, July 27, 1908.
page 12
Postscript added in proof: Since the above catalogue was prepared, an interesting discovery has been made, which now provides the material of Lamontia zona on which Kirk based his description. I stated above that the principal syntype was apparently missing, and that should it ever be found it would carry the serial number 29. During a recent overhaul of old specimens in this department a jar of sponges was found bearing, in Kirk's handwriting, the label "29. Lamontia zona K. Wellington." The find is of double interest, for not only does it provide the material which must now become the lectotype, as well as a satisfactory locality, but also the conjunction of the predicted serial number with Kirk's own handwritten identification is welcome confirmation that his serial numbering system has been correctly interpreted.