Homoscleromorpha is a recently recognized class within the phylum Porifera. While molecular analyses support monophyly of Homoscleromorpha, morphological data are largely lacking. Here, we investigate and comparatively analyze the detailed morphology of kinetids (flagellar apparatus) in choanocytes of ten Oscarella species. The kinetid is known to be a phylogenetically important trait that can possibly reflect relationships of sponges at the level of orders. We also conduct a phylogenetic analysis based on previously published sequences. We found the family Oscarellidae is subdivided into two large groups, and choanocyte kinetids structure strongly supports this division. The first group includes Oscarella lobularis, O. tuberculata, O. bergenensis,
Numerous specimens of poorly known pleustid amphipod Pleusymtes japonica (Gurjanova, 1938) (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Pleustidae: Pleusymtinae) were found in association with large hermit crab Pagurus ochotensis Brandt, 1851 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Paguridae) near Furugelma Island in the Sea of Japan. This is the first report of the species in association with hermit crabs. Amphipods were found living close to the shell aperture and hermit crab feeding appendages. Color photographs, remarks on ecology and re-description of the species are given.
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