Micromorphology in Mycale taxonomy (Mycalidae, Poecilosclerida, Demospongiae), with the description of two new micracanthoxea-bearing species

Two new species of Mycale with micracanthoxeas are described: Mycale (Aegogropila) lilianae n. sp., mainly characterized by the presence of toxas as large as 300 µm, and Mycale (Carmia) urizae n. sp., the first Mycale with micracanthoxeas described from Africa, characterized by the presence of anisochelae-III with the falx projecting downwards from the middle basal portion of the frontal alae of the head, and by the presence of two morphologically distinct size classes of toxas, with toxas-II being notably oxea-shaped. A discussion of all species of Mycale with micracanthoxeas is included. It is postulated that a comprehensive assessment of the distribution of this character, as well as of other micromorphological features of Mycale spicules, may shed light on the affinities and redefinition of obscure subgenera such as Aegogropila and Carmia.