Sponges from the 2010-2014 Paamiut Multispecies Trawl Surveys, Eastern Arctic and Subarctic: Class Demospongiae, Subclass Heteroscleromorpha, Order Poecilosclerida, Families Microcionidae, Acarnidae and Esperiopsidae
Description
Sponges (phylum Porifera) are benthic filter feeding animals that play an important role in nutrient cycling and habitat provision in the deep sea. Sponges collected between 2010 and 2014 during annual multispecies trawl surveys conducted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada in Baffin Bay, Davis Strait and portions of Hudson Strait were taxonomically examined. In total ~2500 specimens were identified, comprising ~100 known sponge taxa. Sponges from the order Poecilosclerida comprised nearly half of the identified species. Sponges from the poescilosclerid families Coelosphaeridae, Crellidae, Dendoricellidae, Myxillidae and Tedaniidae are described in previous reports. This report adds descriptions of eight sponge species from three poescilosclerid families: Microcionidae, Acarnidae and Esperiopsidae (class Demospongiae, subclass Heteroscleromorpha, order Poecilosclerida). Described species include Artemisina lundbecki, Artemisina arcigera, and Clathria (Clathria) barleei from the family Microcionidae, Iophon piceum and Iophon koltuni from the family Acarnidae, and Esperiopsis villosa, Esperiopsis sp. 1, and Semisuberites cf. cribrosa from the family Esperiopsidae. Descriptions include physical description of the sponges, descriptions and dimensions of their spicules, and taxonomic discussion.