Species ID
OC-SP-0002817
Discovered
Phylum
Porifera
Species ID
OC-SP-0002817
Provisional Species Name
Abyssocladia sp_OCSS1161
Lowest Valid Taxon Name in WoRMS
Abyssocladia
Lowest Known Rank
Genus
Status
Discovered
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Embargo
No
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Porifera
Class
Demospongiae
Order
Poecilosclerida
Family
Cladorhizidae
Genus
Abyssocladia
Date Identified
17/08/2025
Taxonomic Remarks
This specimen shares many similarities (external morphology and internal spicules) with A. diegoramirezensis, however, the external morphology appears to have no filaments. In the specimen base, acanthostyles and tornote-like spicules were found in A. nsp. 3, which were not found in A. diegoramirezensis. There are 9 species that share features of the external morphology (flattened stem and filaments without discs) of this specimen, which includes the above mentioned, as well as A. leverhulmei, A. atlantica, A. naudur, A. myojinensis, A. kanaconi, A. microstongylota, A. faranauti, and A. umbellata.
Received All Minimal Data for Discovery
07/04/2026
Description of Material
The specimen is c. 15 cm in height, erect and pedunculate. Dichotomously branching sponge with upper branches are flattened. All branches have projecting elements but no apparent filaments. Megascleres: Mycalostyles: 1010-1200 μm (branch), Mycalostyles: 715-750 μm (base), Sub (tylo) styles: 400-900 μm (branch), Sub (tylo) styles: 440-910 μm (base), Strongyles: 180-410 μm (base), Acanthostyles: 90-280 μm (base), Tornotes: 260 μm (base), Microscleres: Arcuate isochelae I: 65-80 μm, Arcuate isochelae II: 30 μm, Spherical abyssochelae: 20-30 μm, Sigmancistra I: 15-20 μm (regular slightly twisted), Sigmancistra II: 15-20 μm (loop, condensed C), Sigma: 10-15 μm (base)
Ecology
Carnivorous
Distribution
Mystery Ridge; Coordinates: -53.22645, -44.23553; Depth: 614 m
Scientific Name Authorship
Rachel Downey
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