Guitarra laplani Boury-Esnault, Pansini et Uriz, 1993

Material examined: Ibero-Moroccan Gulf, Station DW157, 36°21' N-7°55'8 W, 1108 m of depth, detritic bottom with Foraminifera and Pteropoda, 3 specimens ; Station CP-21, 36°38' N-7°24' W, 478-491 m of depth, 2 specimens. Both stations are located within the Mediterranean water vein in Atlantic.

Derivatio nominis: the species is dedicated to Joël Laplane, for his creative contribution to the innovation of the guitar making, the equivalent in the music world of the placochela in the spicule world!.

DESCRIPTION
Five globulous specimens the largest of which reached 2.5 cm in height, 1.5 cm in width (holotype, Fig.1) have been examined. Only two of them are in a good state of preservation. Surface even, raised by several crateriform protuberances, 0.5 mm high and 1.5 mm in diameter (Fig. 1). A thin membrane perforated by inhalant ostiae covers the apical zone of this protuberances. These inhalant structures are comparable to the cribiform formations of other Poecilosclerida sponges (e.g genera Hamigera, Anchinoe, and Hymedesmia) (Boury-Esnault, 1972). The oscule is apical.
The skeletal arrangement consists of spicule tracks (width, number of spicules ?) forming a confuse reticulation. Microscleres widespread throughout the sponge.
Spicule
Styles, straight or slightly flexuous, occasionally with a subproximal tyle. One extremity is acerate, the other one is rounded but sometimes also pointed, in these cases the spicule shows the shape of an asymmetrical oxea or styloxea: 436-514 µm x 5-11 µm. Some juvenile spicules are always present: 360-400 µm x 2-3 µm.
Placochelae (Figs. 2-4), in the typical shape, of only one size class, corresponding to the small category of G. fimbriata: 40-65 µm x 13-18 µm.
Palmate isochelae (Figs. 9-10) with a fringe of delicate spines around the alae : 11-15µm in length.