A Global Mission

The mission of the Ocean Census is to accelerate the discovery of ocean life to advance fundamental science, empower conservation, and fuel innovation for the future of our planet.

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Gallery

Phylum

OC-SP-0002430

Species ID

OC-SP-0002430

Discovered

Phylum

Porifera

Species ID

OC-SP-0002430

Provisional Species Name

Hamacantha sp_FKt240108642BB2B002

Lowest Valid Taxon Name in WoRMS

Hamacantha

Lowest Known Rank

Genus

Status

Discovered

Embargo

No

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Porifera

Class

Demospongiae

Order

Merliida

Family

Hamacanthidae

Genus

Hamacantha

Date Identified

01/07/2025

Taxonomic Remarks

Three subgenera of the Hamacantha genus are recognized to date: Hamacantha, Vomerula and Zigherpe. The first has oxas as main spicules, the second styles and the third tylostyles. This new species is classified for this reason within the sub genus Hamacantha. The genus is characterized by the possession of special spicules called diancistras so it is easily identifiable and relatively common in the Deep-Sea and in dark environments around the world.

Received All Minimal Data for Discovery

23/03/2026

Description of Material

The material collected is composed of four small fragments of about one centimetre each. It is a species with a gray coating colour in ethanol, a smooth surface and a fragile consistency with no visible pores or oscula. It has a skeleton formed by three types of spicules, the characteristic diancistras, oxas (possibly of two size classes) and small sigmas.

Ecology

In a small rock, on muddy bottoms at 445 m in depth.

Distribution

Hamacantha (Hamacantha) n.sp. is known only from the type locality. Coordenates: -25.431358; - 81.785251. 445.43 m in depth. Collected by ROV Subastian on board R/V Falkor (too) in the FKt240108 expedition. Location ID, SOI-642.

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.