Van Soest, R.W.M.; Hooper, J.N.A.; Butler, P.J. (2020). Every sponge its own name: removing Porifera homonyms. <em>Zootaxa.</em> 4745(1): 1-93., available online athttps://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4745.1.1 page(s): 51 [details] Available for editors [request]
Nomenclature We cite here Van Soest et al.'s (2020: 50) explanation for the nomen novum.
Removal of homonymy between Verongula rigida...
Nomenclature We cite here Van Soest et al.'s (2020: 50) explanation for the nomen novum.
Removal of homonymy between Verongula rigida (Esper, 1794) and Stelligera rigida (Montagu, 1814).
1. Spongia rigida Esper, 1794: 247 (type locality unknown, presumably Caribbean). Spongia rigida Esper, 1794 (p. 247, pl. XXVII figs 1–2) was described unrecognizably by Esper, its origin was not known to him, and no type material survived. Nevertheless, Duchassaing & Michelotti (1864: 61, pl. XII fig. 1) recognized Esper’s description and illustration, and redescribed it from freshly collected and dried material as Luffaria rigida from the Virgin Islands, Carribean. Wiedenmayer (1977: 77) described a Bahamas specimen under the mistaken name Verongula ardis (De Laubenfels, 1950a: 31). Klaus Rützler (in litteris) found De Laubenfels’ species to be a junior synonym of Aiolochroia crassa (Hyatt, 1875: 401). Van Soest (1978: 67) subsequently adopted Duchassaing & Michelotti’s (1864) redescription by renaming the species as Verongula rigida (Esper, 1794). The species is a common member of the Caribbean reef community. It is the senior primary homonym (ICZN Art. 57.2) of Montagu’s Spongia rigida.
2. Spongia rigida Montagu, 1814: 87 (type locality Devon, United Kingdom). This well-known species is accepted as Stelligera rigida, and is recently redescribed by Ackers et al. (1992: 70) and reviewed by Morrow et al. (2019: 14). There are small differences with the congeneric but senior Stelligera stuposa (Ellis & Solander, 1786: 186). No obvious synonyms of both have been identified. As a junior primary homonym the present species needed to be renamed (ICZN Art. 60.3).
3. Summary: Verongula rigida (Esper, 1794) as senior primary homonym is to be maintained (ICZN Art. 57.2). Stelligera rigida (Montagu, 1814) is a junior primary homonym without obvious synonyms, which demanded renaming
(ICZN Art. 60.3). To remove the homonymy, Stelligera montagui nom. nov. was proposed, named after George Montagu. [details]
de Voogd, N.J.; Alvarez, B.; Boury-Esnault, N.; Cárdenas, P.; Díaz, M.-C.; Dohrmann, M.; Downey, R.; Goodwin, C.; Hajdu, E.; Hooper, J.N.A.; Kelly, M.; Klautau, M.; Lim, S.C.; Manconi, R.; Morrow, C.; Pinheiro, U.; Pisera, A.B.; Ríos, P.; Rützler, K.; Schönberg, C.; Turner, T.; Vacelet, J.; van Soest, R.W.M.; Xavier, J. (2025). World Porifera Database. Stelligera montagui Van Soest & Hooper, 2020. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=1424275 on 2025-07-18
original descriptionVan Soest, R.W.M.; Hooper, J.N.A.; Butler, P.J. (2020). Every sponge its own name: removing Porifera homonyms. <em>Zootaxa.</em> 4745(1): 1-93., available online athttps://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4745.1.1 page(s): 51 [details] Available for editors [request]
original description(ofSpongia rigida Montagu, 1814)Montagu, G. (1814 [1818]). An Essay on Sponges, with Descriptions of all the Species that have been discovered on the Coast of Great Britain. <em>Memoirs of the Wernerian Natural History Society.</em> 2(1): 67-122, pls III-XVI., available online athttps://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/45847761 page(s): 87 [details]
Present Present in aphia/obis/gbif/idigbio Inaccurate Introduced: alien Containing type locality
From editor or global species database
Nomenclature We cite here Van Soest et al.'s (2020: 50) explanation for the nomen novum.
Removal of homonymy between Verongula rigida (Esper, 1794) and Stelligera rigida (Montagu, 1814).
1. Spongia rigida Esper, 1794: 247 (type locality unknown, presumably Caribbean). Spongia rigida Esper, 1794 (p. 247, pl. XXVII figs 1–2) was described unrecognizably by Esper, its origin was not known to him, and no type material survived. Nevertheless, Duchassaing & Michelotti (1864: 61, pl. XII fig. 1) recognized Esper’s description and illustration, and redescribed it from freshly collected and dried material as Luffaria rigida from the Virgin Islands, Carribean. Wiedenmayer (1977: 77) described a Bahamas specimen under the mistaken name Verongula ardis (De Laubenfels, 1950a: 31). Klaus Rützler (in litteris) found De Laubenfels’ species to be a junior synonym of Aiolochroia crassa (Hyatt, 1875: 401). Van Soest (1978: 67) subsequently adopted Duchassaing & Michelotti’s (1864) redescription by renaming the species as Verongula rigida (Esper, 1794). The species is a common member of the Caribbean reef community. It is the senior primary homonym (ICZN Art. 57.2) of Montagu’s Spongia rigida.
2. Spongia rigida Montagu, 1814: 87 (type locality Devon, United Kingdom). This well-known species is accepted as Stelligera rigida, and is recently redescribed by Ackers et al. (1992: 70) and reviewed by Morrow et al. (2019: 14). There are small differences with the congeneric but senior Stelligera stuposa (Ellis & Solander, 1786: 186). No obvious synonyms of both have been identified. As a junior primary homonym the present species needed to be renamed (ICZN Art. 60.3).
3. Summary: Verongula rigida (Esper, 1794) as senior primary homonym is to be maintained (ICZN Art. 57.2). Stelligera rigida (Montagu, 1814) is a junior primary homonym without obvious synonyms, which demanded renaming
(ICZN Art. 60.3). To remove the homonymy, Stelligera montagui nom. nov. was proposed, named after George Montagu. [details]
Present 
