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September 14, 2023, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia: A team of scientists from the Queensland Museum has made a remarkable discovery, of four rare, delicate sponges found in the depths of the ocean. These sponges were located on seamounts off the coast of Queensland and Tasmania, rising from four kilometres below the ocean's surface to just one kilometre down..Dr. Merrick Ekins, the Queensland Museum Network Collection Manager specialising in Sessile Marine Invertebrates, described these sponges as having razor-sharp spicules that elegantly form intricate rosettes..''These exquisite sponges mark the first documented instances of the genus Hamacantha (Vomerula) within the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone,'' Dr. Ekins exclaimed..The discovery of these four new species has expanded the known species within the subgenus Vomerula to a total of 26..Hamacantha (Vomerula) novacula is a fragile, lace-like, encrusting sponge was discovered attached to a rock, boasting a pristine white and translucent appearance. It earned the name Hamacantha (Vomerula) novacula, in reference to its remarkably sharp fimbria, resembling a shaving knife. ''Novacula'' is derived from Latin and translates to ''sharp knife.'' Hamacantha (Vomerula) melliflura is another delicate, lace-like, encrusting sponge, Hamacantha (Vomerula) melliflura, was christened for its resemblance to honey's flowing nature and the honeycomb-like texture adorning its surface. ''Melliflura'' signifies ''flowing with honey.''.Hamacantha (Vomerula) ridleyi is a fragile, encrusting sponge showcases a smooth surface devoid of visible oscules. It was bestowed with the name Hamacantha (Vomerula) ridleyi in honor of Stuart Ridley, a prolific describer of numerous minute deep-water sponge species documented during the HMS Challenger and HMS Alert expeditions..Hamacantha (Vomerula) levii is a round and slender specimen characterized by its rough surface, Hamacantha (Vome (Credit Image: © Cover Images/Zuma Press/Fotoarena)
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