NRF-SAEON Researcher Honoured Through New Species Discovery

The South African Environmental Observation Network (NRF-SAEON) and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) are proud to announce a major scientific achievement—the formal description of a new sponge species, Latrunculia (Latrunculia) atkinsonae, named in honour of Dr Lara Atkinson, Biodiversity Scientist at the NRF-SAEON Egagasini Node. The discovery forms part of a study that describes four new sponge species from the Namaqua eco-region, published in January 2026 in the Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom (https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315426101027).

Other species were named in honour of Professor Mark J. Gibbons, Marine Biologist at the University of the Western Cape, in recognition of his significant contributions to modern marine biology in South Africa; Ms Liesl Jansen from the DFFE’s Oceans and Coasts Research unit; and after the Namaqua region, where these species were found.

The taxonomy research was led by Dr Toufiek Samaai, scientist at DFFE’s Oceans and Coasts unit, and Dr Robyn Payne from Anchor Environmental Consultants, with specimens collected through offshore benthic monitoring surveys. Using a combination of detailed morphological analysis and DNA barcoding, the team revealed previously hidden sponge diversity from the continental shelf of the Benguela ecosystem. The research demonstrates how partnerships between DFFE, environmental consultants, and research institutions are essential to improve knowledge of Southern Africa’s marine biodiversity and for the support of informed ocean management.

Dr Samaai emphasised the critical role of expert taxonomists, “South Africa has very few trained and employed marine taxonomists but without such expertise we will never be able to accurately represent our rich, valuable biodiversity.”

Naming the species in honour of Dr Atkinson recognises her contributions to offshore benthic research and marine taxonomy over the past 15 years, and highlights the importance of sustained government-led science and cross-border collaboration. “We know there are many species out there that still remain undiscovered, and this is why ongoing monitoring efforts are so important for South Africa’s biodiversity inventory,” said Dr Atkinson.