New carnivorous sponges from the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia collected by ROV from the RV FALKOR Author Ekins, Merrick Queensland Museum, PO Box 3300, South Brisbane 4101, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia & School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072 Australia & Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane 4111, Queensland, Australia Author Hooper, John N. A. 0000-0003-1722-5954 Queensland Museum, PO Box 3300, South Brisbane 4101, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia & Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane 4111, Queensland, Australia & john. hooper @ qm. qld. gov. au; https: // orcid. org / 0000 - 0003 - 1722 - 5954 john.hooper@qm.qld.gov.au text Zootaxa 2023 2023-05-23 5293 3 435 471 http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5293.3.2 journal article 53431 10.11646/zootaxa.5293.3.2 0929883d-fe33-4514-8927-6a4f07b05653 1175-5326 7961272 FE67E8C2-AFE5-491C-B673-2ECE82FA4D87 Axoniderma wanda sp. nov. Figures 11–12 , Tables 5–6 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 819293E6-E6BB-4032-B672-493676A91040 Material examined : Holotype : QM G339384 , Wreck Plunge Pool , Great Barrier Reef , Queensland , Australia , -12.131851 , 143.979498 , 1980.05 m , hanging upside down in a small cave, Site : SO402, Sample : 178, ROV SuBastian , Coll. Merrick Ekins remotely in Brisbane via video live satellite feed directing the ROV pilots onboard the RV FALKOR on the Great Barrier Reef and Martie McNeil onboard the RV FALKOR, cruise FK200930, 27/10/2020 . Paratypes : QM G339392 , QM G339746 , QM G339747 , QM G339748 , QM G339749 —all paratypes have the same collection details as the holotype QM G339384 . Etymology. This species is named for its resemblance to the alien wanderer/wanda that parasitizes the host Melanie Stryder, played by actress Saoirse Ronan from the movie and novel by the same name i.e. “the Host”, authored by Stephenie Meyer. Distribution. This species is presently known only from the bathyal zone of the Great Barrier Reef, East Coast of Australia . Description: Growth form : The holotype consists of a pedunculated sponge, with a long thin stem that radiates at attachment in the centre of the posterior face of the sponge body. The body is an almost vertically orientated disc, concave on the anterior face, with up to 42 long thin filaments radiating out in a single plane from the disc margin in a complete circle ( Figs. 11 A–G ). From the top of the disc arises a thin stalk, longer and slightly thicker than all other filaments, terminating in a ‘lure’ in the shape of a minute circular fan ( Fig. 11 J ). The sponge body diameter is 8 mm , and 0.4 mm thick. The filaments are 23 mm long and 0.1 mm in width. The lure filament is 24 mm in length and 0.3 mm in diameter, whilst the circular lure is 1 mm in diameter. Interestingly, several specimens such as paratype G339747 has a raised bump on the stem which is most likely an oocyte-embryo swelling. Colour: The sponge body, filaments and stem are all off white, with a tan coloured lure. Ectosomal skeleton: The ectosomal skeleton, on the body, the stem and basal attachment and the filaments are covered on the external surface with tridentate ‘unguiferate’ anisochelae ( Figs. 11 H–L ). The lure and the filament supporting the lure are, however, covered with tridentate ‘unguiferate’ anisochelae as well as sigmancistras ( Fig. 11 J ). Endosomal skeleton: The endosomal skeleton of the body, the filaments, the stem and the basal attachment consist mainly of the larger mycalostyles in concentrated longitudinal bundles ( Figs. 11 G–J, L ), but also include the less common medium sized mycalostyles. The large mycalostyles originate in the centre of the body and radiate out to become the horizontal filaments. The stem and basal attachment and rarely the filaments also contain strongyles. The lure is composed of the medium sized mycalostyles as well as the thin ‘Lure Styles’ ( Fig. 11 K ). The filament for the lure is composed of the large and medium sized mycalostyles. Megascleres: The megascleres mainly consist of two different sized but overlapping mycalostyles with blunt terminations, with the largest diameter off-centre of the spicule ( Figs. 12 C–F ). The lure styles are long very thin and sinuous with no central thickening ( Figs. 12 G, H ). The strongyles are tapering with an offset thickening and blunt tips ( Figs. 12 I, J ). Dimensions are given in Table 5 . Microscleres: The microscleres consist of abundant small anchorate ‘unguiferate’anisochelae with three large alae and five smaller alae on each end. The two outer small lower alae are paired, whilst the central lower small alae is solitary ( Figs. 12 A, B ). Sigmancistras are slightly contort, consist of a single size class and are restricted to the lure ( Fig. 12 C , Table 5 ). Remarks. This species has the ‘unguiferate’ anchorate anisochelae and sigmancistras common to many other species of Cladorhiza , Axoniderma , Bathytentacular and Nullarbora . Axoniderma wanda sp. nov. is unique amongst the known species of these genera in having an external lure originating from the convex face of the body. This species is compared to other described species with any form of structure emerging from the body disk in Table 6 . All species previously and currently belonging to Cladorhiza were also compared in Table 6 of Ekins et al . (2020a) , and grouped morphologically by a visual icon in ( Table 6 , Ekins et al . 2020b ). The new species Axoniderma wanda sp. nov. , has a similar sclerite composition and basic morphological shape to Axoniderma corona ( Lehnert, Watling & Stone, 2005 ) , Axoniderma kensmithi ( Lundsten, Reiswig & Austin, 2017 ) and Axoniderma mexicana ( Lundsten, Reiswig & Austin, 2017 ) . It differs from all three by orders of magnitude of size, and also has a very different lure shape and size from those three species. Axoniderma longipinna ( Ridley & Dendy, 1886 ) is the only other sponge with a disc and some disc-like structures, but it displays the classic ‘crinorhizoid’ parasol morphology and is not related to the new species. Axoniderma corona , from the Northern Pacific Ocean is the closest related species with the presence of anisooxeas similar to the strongyles in Axoniderma wanda sp. nov. and the sub(tylostyles) from the crown similar to the styles in the lure of Axoniderma wanda sp. nov. and the mycalostyles are of an overlapping size range. However, the much larger (by orders of magnitude) in size, the very short stem of the crown, the difference in crown versus lure shape, and the different shape of the lower alae in the larger anisochelae preclude A. corona from being the same as the new species. Axoniderma kensmithi differs from Axoniderma wanda sp. nov. by the much larger (by orders of magnitude) size, the convex downward facing filaments, the appearance of four lures on the shorter stems, the larger anisochelae and sigmancistras, the shape of the styles, and the shape of the lower alae of the anisochelae. Axoniderma mexicana differs from Axoniderma wanda sp. nov. by the much larger (by orders of magnitude) size, convex body shape, the double layer of filaments, the lack of strongyles and small styles, the presence of pseudoamphiasters and the larger sigmancistras, and the different lower alae of the anisochelae. FIGURE 11. Axoniderma wanda sp. nov. A. Underwater photo of the types in situ . B. QM G339747. C. QM G339746. D. QM G339749. E. Holotype QM G339384. F. QM G339748. G. QM G339746, showing an amphipod caught on a filament and a semidigested crustacean in the sponge body. H. Filaments emerging from the sponge body. I. A filament showing the encrusting chelae. J. The lure of the sponge. K. The stem of the sponge. L. The basal attachment. FIGURE 12. Axoniderma wanda sp. nov. Holotype QM G339384. A. Tridentate ‘unguiferate’ anisochelae. B. Sigmancistra. C. Large mycalostyles. D. Magnified ends of the mycalostyle illustrated in C. E. Medium sized mycalostyle. F. Magnified ends of the mycalostyle illustrated in E. G. Lure style. H. Magnified ends of the lure style illustrated in G. I. Strongyle. J. Magnified ends of the strongyle illustrated in I. TABLE 5. Spicule dimensions measurements smallest–(average)–largest (µm) of the holotype and paratypes of Axoniderma wanda sp. nov. NM=Not Measured

Specimen	Large Mycalostyles	Medium Mycalotyles	Lure Styles	Strongyles	Anisochelae	Sigmancistras
QM G339384 Holotype	903–(1619)–2130 x 23.8–(35.5)–56.5, n=28	573–(727)–998 x 12.4– (14.7)–20.2, n=19	262–(362)–452 x 5.0–(6.5)–11.0, n=11	370–(547)–657 x 20.0–(23.0)–26.7, n=4	22.3–(26.4)–28.3 x 1.5–(2.6)–3.9, n=33	24.0–(28.4)–33.4 x 1.3–(2.1)–3.6, n=22
QM G339392	961–(1730)–2360 x 20.0–(38.6)–56.5, n=44	420–(762)–1180 x 10.5–(17.1)–24.1, n=23	377–(455)–622 x 2.8–(6.0)–9.1, n=28	326–(573)–955 x 15.3–(23.3)–36.8, n=34	25.0–(26.7)–29.0 x 1.3–(2.4)–3.2, n=31	20.8–(29.2)–36.1 x 0.9–(1.7)–3.1, n=37
QM G339746	1040–(1630)–1920 x 16.1–(29.0)–40.5, n=5	NM	NM	486 x 22.7, n=1	23.8–(27.3)–29.5 x 1.6–(2.7)–3.6, n=33	NM
QM G339747	1310–(1679)–2030 x 22.6–(33.4)–44.6, n=36	569–(877)–1160 x 6.1–(15.1)–23.8, n=28	NM	635 x 22, n=1	22.9–(25.9)–28.4 x 1.6–(2.4)–4.1, n=36	NM
QM G339748	1050–(1401)–1800 x 19.8–(28.4)–38.8, n=8	673–(685)–697 x 16.6– (16.6)–16.6, n=2	NM	283–(717)–1150 x 9.8–(23.8)–37.8, n=2	23.4–(26.8)–29.2 x 1.6–(2.5)–3.1, n=19	26.4 x 0.6, n=1
QM G339749	1030–(1430)–2040 x 17.1–(26.3)–35.7, n=17	529–(772)–1090 x 7.0–(14.7)–19.0, n=19	NM	642–(651)–660 x 23.5–(25.6)–27.7, n=2	22.3–(26.5)–29.0 x 1.6–(2.6)–3.4, n=18	NM

TABLE 6. Axoniderma wanda sp. nov. compared to other species of Axoniderma containing structures emerging from the body disc. Spicule dimensions measurements smallest–largest (µm).

Species	Source	Morphology	Total height x stem width (mm)	Skeleton
Axoniderma wanda sp. nov.	This study	Pedunculate erect, unbranched long thin stem with a disc shaped body with radial filaments and on a long stalk a circular terminal lure	60 x 0.5	Axis of stem and body cored by longitudinal bundles of mycalostyles of 2 size classes and an extra thin small style located in the lure
Axoniderma corona ( Lehnert, Watling & Stone, 2005 )	Lehnert, Watling & Stone, 2005: 1359 , Figs. 1–2	Pedunculate erect, parasol ‘crinorhizoid’ morphology, long stem, two planes of different appendages, basal disk holdfast	225–325 x 1–9	Axis of stem and basal appendages with thick bundles of long mycalostyles, crown with tracts of long mycalostyles fanning out in 1 plane, with single thin subtylostyles perpendicular to the axial skeleton, basal plate with mycalostyles and short anisoxeas densely packed in one plane parallel to the substrate
Axoniderma kensmithi ( Lundsten, Reiswig & Austin, 2017 )	Lundsten, Reiswig & Austin, 2017: 250–253 , Figs. 2–3	Crinorhizoid’ form with numerous filaments parasol-shaped, on long stem with densely branching basal rhizoid holdfast, 2–4 spermatocyst-bearing discs on short, slender stalks on apex of body	208–325 x 1–2.1	Axis of stem cored by mycalostyles 1–3, filaments cored by mycalostyles 1&3, basal rhizoid cored by strongyles and mycalostyles 3
Axoniderma longipinna ( Ridley & Dendy, 1886 )	Ridley & Dendy, 1887: 92 , P1. XX. Fig. 2; P1. XXI. Figs. 4, 21; Koltun 1970: 185–186 , Fig. 13, PL. VI Figs. 3–5	Pedunculate erect, ‘crinorhizoid’ parasol morphology, long thin stem with apical suspherical body bearing long radial projections outwards and downwards, basal attachment not recorded	27 x 5	Axes of stem and lateral processes cored by bundles of long mycalostyles
Axoniderma mexicana ( Lundsten, Reiswig & Austin, 2017 )	Lundsten, Reiswig & Austin, 2017: 253 , Figs. 4–5	Erect parasol-shaped, ‘crinorhizoid’ body with radiating long filaments at base of body, on long stalk, presumed basal holdfast not collected	300 x 1–3	3 size classes of mycalostyles, presumed undifferentiated distribution in sponge

......continued on the next page TABLE 6. (Continued)

Species	Source	Morphology	Total height x stem	Skeleton
width (mm)
Axoniderma mirabilis	Ridley & Dendy, 1887 :	Pedunculate erect, ‘crinorhizoid’	56?	Axis of stem, body and filaments cored by bundles of
Ridley & Dendy, 1886	98, Pl. XX, Fig. 5, Pl.	parasol-shaped with conical cap-shaped	(13 x 2)	styles-mycalostyles of a single size class, with single styles
XXI, Figs. 8–10; (Ekins	body with terminal papillae, perched on	projecting on the terminal papillae, cortex encrusted with
et al . 2020a); [Koltun	the end of a long slender stem, with nu-	pseudoamphiasters and other microscleres
1970: 187, Fig. 13]	merous long filaments surrounding the
body, basal attachment not recorded
Axoniderma similis	Ridley & Dendy, 1886 :	Pedunculate erect, ‘chrinorhizoid’ para-	?	Axis of stem, body and filaments cored by bundles of styles,
( Ridley & Dendy,	343; Ridley & Dendy,	sol morphology, with cap-shaped coni-	dense close-set tylostyles mostly near surface, fewer in the
1886)	1887: 93, Pl. XX, Fig. 7,	cal body and long filaments encircling	axial skeleton
Pl. XXI, Fig. 5, 18;	the lower body, perched on a thin stem,
( Lévi, 1993: 40 , Fig. 40.	basal attachment missing
Pl. IV, Figs. 4–6)

......continued on the next page TABLE 6. (Continued)

Species	Spicules of main axis	Spicules of lateral	Spicules of basal	Chelae (L um)	Sigmancistras	Sigmas (L um) and	Locality/
(LxW um)	filaments or body	attachment	(L um)	other microscleres	depth range
(LxW um)	(LxW um)
Axoniderma wanda	mycalostyles 1,	Lure styles	Strongyles 280–	tridentate	sigmancistras	absent	Great Barrier
sp. nov.	903–2360 x 24–56	260–320 x 3–11	1150 x 15–38	unguiferate	20–36 x 1–4	Reef, Australia,
mycalostyles 2,	anisochelae	bathyal
420–1090 x 7–24	22–29 x 1–3
Axoniderma corona	mycalostyles	(sub–)tylostyles	anisoxeas 140–660	anchorate	35-42	absent	Aleutian
(Lehnert, Watling &	600–4260 x 10–65	510–1650 x 8–20	x 38–43	anisochelae	Islands,
Stone, 2005)	(in the crown)	30-42
	mesophoticbathyal
Axoniderma kensmithi	mycalostyles 1,	mycalostyles 1	strongyles 421–	tridentate	43–50	absent	West Coast,
(Lundsten, Reiswig &	3138–4850 x 49–75	& 3	1023 x 10–22	unguiferate	USA, bathyal-
Austin, 2017)	mycalostyles 2,	mycalostyles 3	anisochelae	abyssal
1009–1501 x 15–29	33–37
mycalostyles 3,
242–452 x 13–17
Axoniderma longipinna	mycalostyles 1, 3000	undifferentiated	not recorded	unguiferate	absent	absent	NW Pacific,
( Ridley & Dendy, 1886 )	x 50–55	tridentate aniso-	bathyal - hadal
mycalostyles 2,	chelae 30–78
200–1000 x 10–16
Axoniderma mexicana	mycalostyles 1,	undifferentiated	undifferentiated	tridentate	47–55	asymmetrical	West coast
(Lundsten, Reiswig &	3577–4133 x 58–74	unguiferate	pseudoamphiasters	USA, Mexico,
Austin, 2017)	mycalostyles 2,	anisochelae	102–115	bathyal
2650–3246 x 45–63	33–36
mycalostyles 3,
1293–1931 x 23–39

......continued on the next page TABLE 6. (Continued)

Species	Spicules of main axis	Spicules of lateral	Spicules of basal	Chelae (L um)	Sigmancistras	Sigmas (L um) and	Locality/
(LxW um)	filaments or body	attachment	(L um)	other microscleres	depth range
(LxW um)	(LxW um)
Axoniderma mirabilis	styles>3500 (styles–	undifferentiated	absent	tridentate	absent	sigmas 75.6	SE Pacific, off
Ridley & Dendy, 1886	mycalostyles 1,	unguiferate	(88–114)	S Easter Island,
~6000 x 11	anisochelae 38	[sigmas 76]	& N Pacific,
styles 2, ~300 x 5)	(31–48)	birotules (‘am-	abyssal
[mycalostyles	[‘anchors’	phiasters’) with 5
~3500 x 15–50]	33–38]	terminal
alae 230 (
pseudoamphiasters 127–295)
[‘amphiasters’ 88–
230]
Axoniderma similis	styles ‘very long and	undifferentiated	undifferentiated	tridentate	absent	absent	Central Pacific
( Ridley & Dendy, 1886 )	slender’ tylostyles	unguiferous	& New Cal-
210–600 x 16 (styles	anisochelae 30	edonia, bathyal-
1, up to 3600 x 50	(anisochelae 30)	abyssal
styles 2, 650–700
x 30
styles 3, 250–300 x
8–10)

All of the specimens of Axoniderma wanda sp. nov. were collected from the underside of an overhang ( Fig. 11 A ), and so live in an inverted position (i.e. hanging upside down), such that the concave body disc actually faces downwards, ensuring the disc does not capture the falling debris ‘snow’, as does the habitat of taking shelter under overhangs. Not all spicules on each paratype were measured, as it was considered that enough of these fragile tiny specimens were already destroyed in order to observe part of the structure under an SEM, and so ‘NM’ (i.e. Not Measured) in Table 5 is a reflection of this, rather than an indication that the spicule type was absent from the specimen.