Species ID
OC-SP-0002429
Discovered
Phylum
Porifera
Species ID
OC-SP-0002429
Provisional Species Name
Forcepia sp_FKt240108647BB1C001
Lowest Valid Taxon Name in WoRMS
Forcepia
Lowest Known Rank
Genus
Status
Discovered
Embargo
No
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Porifera
Class
Demospongiae
Order
Poecilosclerida
Family
Coelosphaeridae
Genus
Forcepia
Date Identified
01/07/2025
Taxonomic Remarks
Fifty one species of the genus Forcepia have been described to date. 34 belonging to the Subgenus Forcepia and 17 species belonging to the subgenus Leptolabis. Both subgenera are differentiated by spiculation that includes basal acanthostyles in a hymedesmioid arrangement in the subgenus Leptolabis and lack them in the subgenus Forcepia. Specimen from FKT240108 belongs to Forcepia (Forcepia) and has styles as the main spicule of its skeleton.
Received All Minimal Data for Discovery
23/03/2026
Description of Material
The only sample collected is a 15 cm diameter specimen of massive, hemispherical shape resting and covering dead colonial scleractinians. Soft consistency, easily tearable and ochre-cream color. The ectosome is very thin and can be easily separated from the choanosome. No pores are visible to the naked eye and on the upper part some circular or irregular oscules of less than 10 mm in diameter can be seen. Its skeletal arrangement is of pauciespicular lines of curved styles, crisscrossed with large sigmas throughout its skeleton. It also has straight tylote and three kinds of forceps different in shape and size.
Ecology
The species was collected at 514 m in depth on a colonial stony coral in a mixed bottom of rocks and sediment .
Distribution
Forcepia (Forcepia) n.sp. is known only from the type locality. Coordenates: -33.715773; -79.902869. 514,81 m in depth. Collected by ROV Subastian on board R/V Falkor (too) in the FKt240108 expedition. Location ID, SOI-647
Scientific Name Authorship
Rios & Cristobo
Join the census
The Ocean Census Alliance unites national and philanthropic marine institutes, museums, and universities, backed by governments, philanthropy, business and civil society partners.
