Species ID
OC-SP-0002816
Discovered
Phylum
Porifera
Species ID
OC-SP-0002816
Provisional Species Name
Abyssocladia sp_OCSS0579
Lowest Valid Taxon Name in WoRMS
Abyssocladia
Lowest Known Rank
Genus
Status
Discovered
Does the taxonomist(s) intend to work on this material further?
2. I/We already have plans to publish. (For marine invertebrates please know that SOSA could support you in this too - please click the button for more details).
Embargo
No
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Porifera
Class
Demospongiae
Order
Poecilosclerida
Family
Cladorhizidae
Genus
Abyssocladia
Date Identified
19/08/2025
Taxonomic Remarks
This species shares similarities with Abyssocladia nsp. 4 and A. lanceolata in terms of the internal skeleton, however, the external morphology of all three are quite different. There are variations in the size and type of the chelae between all three, but most aspects of the skeleton (spicules and measurements) are shared. The differences in the sizes and types of chelae, and the external morphology have distinguished this as a new species.
Received All Minimal Data for Discovery
07/04/2026
Description of Material
The specimen is c. 10 cm in height and is an erect, pedunculate, rigid stalk with filaments. The specimen was white in situ and after preservation. The base was not collected. Megascleres: Mycalostyles: 1100-2100 μm, Polytylotic lanceolate subtylostyles: 290-490 μm. Microxea: 80-200 μm (rare); Microscleres: Arcuate isochelae: 65-70 μm, Abyssochelae: 60-85 μm, Sigmancistra I: 15 μm, Sigmancistra II: 30-35 μm
Ecology
Carnivorous
Distribution
Saunders East; Coordinates: -57.697, -26.364; Depth: 649 m
Scientific Name Authorship
Rachel Downey
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.
