The order Axinellida in California

Sponges are common and diverse in California, but they have received
little study in the region, and the identities of many common species
remain unclear. Here we combine fresh collections and museum vouchers to
revise the order axinellida for California. Seven new species are
described: Endectyon (Endectyon) hispitumulus, Eurypon curvoclavus,
Aulospongus viridans, Aulospongus lajollaensis, Halicnemia
litorea, Halicnemia montereyensis, and Halicnemia
weltoni. One new combination is also described, and two existing species
are reduced to junior synonyms, resulting in a total of 13 species; a
dichotomous key to differentiate them is provided. DNA data from 9 of the
13 species are combined with publicly available data to produce updated
global phylogenies for the order.