New Carnivorous Sponges of the Genus Abyssocladia (Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida, Cladorhizidae) from Myojin Knoll, Izu-Ogasawara Arc, Southern Japan

Two new species of carnivorous sponges of the genus Abyssocladia are described. These sponges were collected from Myojin Knoll, Izu-Ogasawara (Izu-Bonin) Arc, in southern Japan. Detailed morphological observation based on specimen both in situ and preserved revealed functional differentiation of spicule distribution. Abyssocladia natsushimae sp. nov. is distinct within the genus in its mop-like gross morphology, large body size, and soft tissue packed with numerous microspined microstrongyles. Abyssocladia myojinensis sp. nov. is characterized by possession of both typical abyssochelae and palmate abyssochelae. This is the first record of the genus from Japan.