The order Axinellida (Porifera: Demospongiae) in California

Abstract

Sponges are common and diverse in California, but they have received little study in the region, and the identities of many common species remain unclear. Here we combine fresh collections and museum vouchers to revise the order Axinellida for California. Seven new species are described, including representatives from one family and four genera that previously had no described species in the state. One new combination is also described, and two names are placed in synonymy with existing names, resulting in a total of 13 species; a dichotomous key to differentiate them is provided. DNA data from 10 of the 13 species is combined with publicly available data to produce updated global phylogenies for the order.

The Sponges of the Carmel Pinnacles Marine Protected Area

“…Upright, bushy lobes rise from a broad base, expand and occasionally branch; oscules at high points; highly hispid; reddish orange in life, fades to tan in ethanol. Previously reported as occurring in both reddish-orange and yellow (Turner & Pankey 2022).…”

“…Known from British Columbia to the Gulf of California, and from 15 m to 330 m in depth (Turner & Pankey 2022)…”

“…This species is included in a recent revision of the order Axinellida in California: see Turner & Pankey (2022) for more details.…”

“…Hemectyon hyle (Bakus & Green 1987;Dickinson 1945;Green & Bakus 1994;de Laubenfels 1932) Aulospongus hyle (Desqeyroux-Faundez & van Soest 1997) Raspailia (Raspaxilla) hyle (Aguilar-Camacho & Carballo 2013;Hooper et al 1999) Endectyon (Endectyon) hyle (Lee et al 2007;Turner & Pankey 2022) Material examined. TLT1179, Inner Carmel Pinnacle, (36.55852,-121.96820), 10-24 m, 9/22/21.…”

“…This clade was supported by a recent multi-locus phylogeny(Pankey et al 2022, figure S5); our single-locus phylogenies, which have less resolution but more taxa, are shown in figure23. Though some species currently placed in the Axinellida are within this green clade, these species are expected to be moved to the Bubarida upon revision, as the type species Axinella polypoides is in a separate clade(Gazave et al 2010;Pankey et al 2022;Turner & Pankey 2022).…”