Species ID
OC-SP-0002806
Discovered
Phylum
Porifera
Species ID
OC-SP-0002806
Provisional Species Name
Chondrocladia sp_OCSSI_0444
Lowest Valid Taxon Name in WoRMS
Chondrocladia
Lowest Known Rank
Genus
Status
Discovered
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Embargo
No
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Porifera
Class
Demospongiae
Order
Poecilosclerida
Family
Cladorhizidae
Genus
Chondrocladia
Date Identified
22/08/2025
Taxonomic Remarks
The genus Chondrocladia is one of the 15 genera of carnivorous sponges. It is currently represented by 43 known species: 35 belonging to the subgenus Chondrocladia (Chondrocladia), 6 belonging to the subgenus Chondrocladia (Meliiderma) and 1 belonging to the Chondrocladia (Symmetrocladia). The specimens collected in this expedition belong to the first subgenera, since among its spicules there are no trochirhabds and it also lacks radial symmetry. Only one specimen of this species has been collected in the dive SO801, but other was watched but not collected. The locality is North Trench. The species is characterized by having a long peduncle with attachment roots with or a globular central body from which 10 proliferations emerge regularly distributed throughout the body and spheres in the other extremity. Underwater it has a white coloration and preserved in 96º ethanol it is light beige. Its skeleton is made up of two-size styles, two size classes Isancorae, Sigmas and sigmancistra.
Received All Minimal Data for Discovery
07/04/2026
Description of Material
Only one specimen was collected in the expedition with the number: FKt250220 OCSS_0444. This is a large stalked sponge more than 20 cm high in life. It loss the basal part. The stalk is cylindrical (5-7 mm), ending in an enlarged body more or less ovoid from which 10 secondary branches radiate and end with a translucent sphere in the living animal or in a irregular swelling when the sample is collected. Branches are 3 to 5 cm long.
Ecology
On soft bottoms (muddy). Temperature (bottom): -0.34ºC. Salinity 34.6 PSU. Two ofiuroids were attached to the body and stalk.
Distribution
This species is presently known only from South Sandwich Islands, Locality: North Trench, Dive: SO 801, Date: 2025-03-08 06:15:00, Depth: 3601.72 m, Coordinates (Long, Lat): -24.75609, -58.07838
Scientific Name Authorship
FRANCISCO CRISTOBO RODRIGUEZ
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