THE GENUS JULAVIS DELAUBENFELS (PORIFERA, HALICHONDRIDA)

Julavis jamaicensis new species is reported from Northern Jamaica. Thi s represents the second record of the genus and the first from the Atl antic basin. Julavis de Laubenfels 1936 was erected to accomodate Teda nia levis Kirkpatrick 1900 from the Funafuti Atoll, Central Pacific. I ts status was never discussed prior to the present paper and order and family allocation (Poecilosclerida: Acarniidae) have remained tentati ve. It is preposed to allocate it to the order Halichondrida, family D esmoxyidae, on the basis of confused skeletal architecture, possession of acanthose diactines and wispy trichodragmas. The genus is distingu ished from other genera of Desmoxyidae by its smooth strongylostyles a nd by the strongylote nature of the acanthose diactines. The contents of the family Desmoxyidae is discussed and compared with related famil ies.