KEBIRA-UTEOIDES (PORIFERA, CALCAREA) A RECENT PHARETRONID SPONGE FROMCORAL-REEFS

The recent ''pharetronid'' sponge Kebira uteoides Row, 1909 (Lelapiida e) has been rediscovered, inhabiting ceilings of small caves within co ral reefs (1-3 m depth), in the northern and central Red Sea. Kebira u teoides is relatively abundant in the central Red Sea (17 specimens co llected and others observed) versus low abundance (3 found) in the Gul f of Suez, and complete absence in Eilat (Northern Red Sea). This patt ern may indicate a low temperature barrier for Kebira's development an d that this sponge is either endemic to the northern section of the ce ntral Red Sea; or that its cryptic habitat, small size, and scarcity o f studies done in more southern parts of the Red Sea, contributed to i ts presumed absence from that area. Most sponges are pear-shaped while wide specimens may resemble two pear-shaped individuals fused lateral ly. The skeletal organization conforms to the species' original descri ption, with multispicular tracts of the ''nail'' spicules typical of t his genus. The choanosome is densely packed with choanocyte chambers. In the Gulf of Suez, oocytes and embryos (amphiblastula type) develop during summer, and larvae might be released more than once annually. O ocytes were also observed in central Red Sea sponges during summer (th e only season examined). Skeletal organization, apical position of the choanocyte's nucleus, and larval type reaffirm this species' position within the subclass Calcaronea, class Calcarea.