Morphological and genetic data of tetractinellid sponges from Kāne'ohe Bay, Hawai'i based on specimens collected between 2016 and 2023

Here we integrate molecular phylogeny and systematics to distinguish introduced species from those that are potentially native or endemic. We focus on the order Tetractinellida and document the transoceanic dispersal of Geodia papyracea from the Caribbean to Hawai'i, likely via the fouling of ship hauls navigating through the Panama Canal. Our integrative approach allowed us to describe new species of Stelletta, Stelletta kaluhiwa sp. nov., Stelletta cypheri sp. nov., Stelletta camvela sp. nov., Stelletta hewetta sp. nov., Stelletta brighti sp. nov., and one new species of Stryphnus, Stryphnus jonesi sp. nov; all collected from the reef cryptofauna. Specimens were barcoded using 28S and COI molecular markers, providing insights into the phenotypic plasticity of sponges and the phylogenetic placement of these new species based on morphological characters. Using both molecular phylogeny and traditional taxonomy enhances the accuracy of species identification and classification, contributing to a broader understanding of sponge biodiversity within the Hawaiian archipelago.