Genus Alectona Carter, 1879

Museums

Regional Maps

• Alectona Carter, H.J. 1879. On a new species of excavating sponge (Alectona Millari); and on a new species of Rhaphidotheca (R. affinis). Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society, London 2: 493-499 pl. 17, 17a figs 1-4 [494].

  Type species:

   Gummina wallichii Carter, 1874 by subsequent designation.

 

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

N and E Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, S Africa, Indian Ocean and S Pacific Ocean.

IBRA and IMCRA regions

IMCRA

Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Southeast Shelf Transition (37)

Distribution References

Diagnosis

Excavating sponges occupying chambers similar to clionaids in alpha stage. Most species have delicate papillae that are easily overlooked on the substrate surface, some exhibit massive growth outside the limestone-penetrating base. Spicules occur throughout the sponge. Megascleres are stout oxeas, some kinked or with extra rays thus forming tri- or polyactines that are usually spined or covered by a few or many spines, tubercles, or mushroom-shaped knobs. Microscleres are delicate amphiasters with small center and straight, slender or conical rays that are beset by minute spines or hooks. In some species, amphiasters have a stout diactine axis and two symmetrical sets of perpendicular lumps (rays) near the centre; all microspined. Species are reported from the Indopacific and Atlantic region, and the Mediterranean Sea.

 

ID Keys

See Family Alectonidae Diagnosis.

 

Diagnosis References

Rützler, K. 2002. Family Alectonidae Rosell, 1996. pp. 281-290 in Hooper, J.N.A. & van Soest, R.W.M. (eds). Systema Porifera: A guide to the classification of sponges. New York : Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers Vol. 1. [282]

 

History of changes

Published	As part of group	Action Date	Action Type	Compiler(s)
29-Mar-2018		28-Dec-2011	MOVED
29-Mar-2018		15-Dec-2011	MOVED
29-Mar-2018		13-Apr-2011	MODIFIED
		12-Feb-2010	(import)