Timea curacaoensis n. sp. (Figs 4 A–E) Holotype. ZMA Por. 16887, Netherlands Antilles, Curaçao, near Carmabi, 12.124 °N - 68.975 °W, in reef cavity at approx. 10 m, 10-2001, coll. S. Scheffers # 35. Description. Thinly encrusting, microlobate and microhispid; size of now fragmented holotype 15 x 3 x 1.5 mm. Live color not noted, off-white in alcohol. Skeleton. Individual tylostyles are erect on the substrate, tyles down. Pointed ends protrude far beyond the surface. The tylostyles are partly hidden by a dense layer of asters. Spicules. Tylostyles and two categories of asters, one of which has branching rays. Tylostyles (Figs 4 A–B) with elongate tyles, often style-like or with subterminal tyles, 299- 834.2 - 1357 x 2 - 8.2 - 14 µm Larger asters (Figs 4 C–D), seemingly but not truly asymmetrical, with 4–5 rays which have 2 or 3 secondary branches, juvenile large asters have smooth rays, while adult asters have thicker rays, often with a few spines along the shaft, and they have proliferated terminal branches, overall diameter 14- 19.2 - 23 µm. Small tylasters (Fig. 4 E) with 8–9 unbranched terminally spined rays, 5.5 - 6.0 - 7.5 µm in diameter. Ecology. In reef cavities at approx. 10 m. Etymology. Named after its type locality. Remarks. Members of the genus are typical sciophilous specialists, invariably found in thin patches under stones or overhangs (e.g. Rützler, 2002 b; Carballo & Cruz-Barraza, 2006). The North Atlantic and Mediterranean Timea species were recently listed by Lehnert & Heimler (2001). Along with some representatives of other genera (Diplastrella and Adreus), they list seven recognizably described species reported from the Caribbean region, T. parasitica (Higgin, 1877), T. stelligera (Carter, 1882), T. stenosclera Hechtel (1969), T. mixta sensu Wiedenmayer (1977), T. unistellata sensu Pulitzer-Finali (1986), T. hechteli Lehnert & Heimler (2001), and T.micraster Lehnert & Heimler (2001). In view of the proximity it makes sense to include in a comparison of our new species also ...