Introduction

Amphoriscidae Dendy, 1892 have massive, tubular, ovoid and spherical growth forms, usually clustered together. They have a distinct cortex supported by tangentially placed tetractines (Hooper & Wiedenmayer 1994: figs 157, 158) in which apical rays cross each other entirely and for a least a large part of the choanosome. Tetractines (Hooper & Wiedenmayer 1994: figs 147–156) may also be present in the cortex. The choanosomal skeleton is composed of apical rays of the cortical tetractines and triactines and the unpaired rays of subatrial spicules. Triactines and/or tetractines may also be present in the choanosomal skeleton. An atrial skeleton is always present, and the aquiferous system is syconoid or leuconoid. Nuclei of the collared cells are always apical (Borojevic 1968; Borojevic & Boury-Esnault 1987).

Two genera are included, although four others may be referred here as incertae sedis (Syculmis, Kuarraphis, Leucettaga and Baeria). These are widely distributed in the oceans and occur from intertidal habitats to depths of at least 567 m (Hartman 1982). Two of these genera have known Australian distributions.

Reviews and discussions of the family include those of Dendy (1893a, with Heteropegma, Amphoriscus, Syculmis, Leucilla, Paraleucilla; Dendy 1893b); Dendy & Row (1913, Heteropegma was Leucaltis, transferred to Leucaltidae); Hartman (1958, family referred to Sycettida); Hartman (1982); and the recent revision of Borojevic & Boury-Esnault (1987).

Diagnosis

Leucosolenida with syconoid, sylleibid or leuconoid organisation, and a distinct cortex supported by tangential tetractines whose centripetal apical actines cross the outer part or the whole of the choanosome. Tangential triactines and small tetractines may be also present in the cortex. The choanoskeleton is typically inarticulated, composed of apical actines of cortical tetractines and the unpaired actines of subatrial spicules. In species with a thick wall scattered triactines and/or tetractines may be also present, either among the spicules of the inarticulated choanoskeleton, or forming a distinct subatrial layer. An atrial skeleton is always present.

ID Keys

See Order Leucosolenida Diagnosis

Diagnosis References

Borojevic, R., Boury-Esnault, N., Manuel, M. & Vacelet, J. 2002. Order Leucosolenida Hartman, 1958. pp. 1157-1184 in Hooper, J.N.A. & Soest, R.W.M. Van (eds). Systema Porifera. A guide to the classification of sponges. New York : Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers Vol. 2. [1177]

General References

Borojevic, R. 1968. Systématique et évolution des éponges Calcaires. Dieuxième Thèse. Université de Paris. 33 pp.

Borojevic, R. & Boury-Esnault, N. 1987. Revision of the genus Leucilla Haeckel, 1872, with a re-description of the type species Leucilla amphora Haeckel, 1872. pp. 29-40 in Jones, W.C. European contributions to the taxonomy of sponges. Publications of the Sherkin Island Marine Station 1

Dendy, A. 1893. Studies on the comparative anatomy of sponges. V. Observations on the structure and classification of the Calcarea Heterocoela. Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science 2 35: 159-257 pls 10-14

Dendy, A. 1893. Synopsis of the Australian Calcarea Heterocoela, with a proposed classification of the group and descriptions of some new genera and species. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria ns 5: 69-116

Dendy, A. & Row, R.W.H. 1913. The classification and phylogeny of the calcareous sponges, with a reference list of all the described species, systematically arranged. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1913: 704-813

Hartman, W.D. 1958. A re-examination of Bidder's classification of the Calcarea. Systematic Zoology 7: 97-110

Hartman, W.D. 1982. Porifera. pp. 640-666 in Parker, S.P. (ed.). Synopsis and Classification of Living Organisms. New York : McGraw-Hill Vol. 1.

Hooper, J.N.A. & Wiedenmayer, F. 1994. Porifera. pp. 1–620 in Wells, A. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Melbourne : CSIRO Australia Vol. 12 xiii 624 pp. [Date published 21/Nov/1994]

History of changes

• Amphoriscus Haeckel, E. 1870. Prodromus eines Systems der Kalkschwämme. Jenaische Zeitschrift für Medizin und Naturwissenschaft 5: 236-254 [also appeared in English as: Haeckel, E. 1870. Prodromus of a system of the Calcareous sponges. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (4)5:176–191] [238].

  Type species:

   Ute chrysalis Schmidt, 1864 by subsequent designation, see Dendy, A. & Row, R.W.H. 1913. The classification and phylogeny of the calcareous sponges, with a reference list of all the described species, systematically arranged. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1913: 704-813 [782].
• Sycilla Haeckel, E. 1872. Die Kalkschwämme. Eine Monographie in zwei Bänden Text und einem Atlas mit 60 Tafeln Abbildungen. Berlin : Georg Reimer Vol. 1 pp. 1-396; Vol. 2 pp. 1-418; Vol. 3, pls 1-30. [part translated in Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (4)11: 241–262, 421–430] [248].

  Type species:

   Sycilla cyathiscus Haeckel, 1872 by subsequent designation, see Dendy, A. & Row, R.W.H. 1913. The classification and phylogeny of the calcareous sponges, with a reference list of all the described species, systematically arranged. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1913: 704-813 [795].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Dendy, A. & Row, R.W.H. 1913. The classification and phylogeny of the calcareous sponges, with a reference list of all the described species, systematically arranged. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1913: 704-813 [795]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-Malayan region, Southern Ocean, S Africa, NE Atlantic, Mediterranean and West Indian region.

IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Distribution References

Diagnosis

Amphoriscidae with syconoid organisation of the aquiferous system. Scattered spicules in the choanosome are always absent.

ID Keys

See Order Leucosolenida Diagnosis

Diagnosis References

Borojevic, R., Boury-Esnault, N., Manuel, M. & Vacelet, J. 2002. Order Leucosolenida Hartman, 1958. pp. 1157-1184 in Hooper, J.N.A. & Soest, R.W.M. Van (eds). Systema Porifera. A guide to the classification of sponges. New York : Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers Vol. 2. [1178]

History of changes

• Sycilla cyathiscus Haeckel, E. 1872. Die Kalkschwämme. Eine Monographie in zwei Bänden Text und einem Atlas mit 60 Tafeln Abbildungen. Berlin : Georg Reimer Vol. 1 pp. 1-396; Vol. 2 pp. 1-418; Vol. 3, pls 1-30. [part translated in Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (4)11: 241–262, 421–430] [250].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, PMJ ? (not found), coast of southern Australia.

Distribution

States

South Australia

Extra Distribution Information

S coast.

Known only from type locality.

IMCRA

Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33)

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

General References

Lendenfeld, R. von 1885. A monograph of the Australian sponges. Part 3. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 9: 1083-1150 pls 59-67 [1105]

History of changes

• Sycilla cylindrus Haeckel, E. 1872. Die Kalkschwämme. Eine Monographie in zwei Bänden Text und einem Atlas mit 60 Tafeln Abbildungen. Berlin : Georg Reimer Vol. 1 pp. 1-396; Vol. 2 pp. 1-418; Vol. 3, pls 1-30. [part translated in Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (4)11: 241–262, 421–430] [254].

  Type data:

   Holotype PMJ ? (not found (coord for Hvar Is)), 300 m, Lesina, Hvar Is., Yugoslavia, Adriatic Sea [43°10'22"N 16°26'34"E].

Distribution

States

New South Wales

IMCRA

Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 60–90 m (Adriatic).

General References

Dendy, A. 1893. Synopsis of the Australian Calcarea Heterocoela, with a proposed classification of the group and descriptions of some new genera and species. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria ns 5: 69-116 [114]

Lendenfeld, R. von 1885. A monograph of the Australian sponges. Part 3. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 9: 1083-1150 pls 59-67 [1103]

Whitelegge, T. 1889. List of the Marine and Freshwater Invertebrate Fauna of Port Jackson and the Neighbourhood. Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales 23: 163-323 [180]

History of changes

• Leucilla Haeckel, E. 1872. Die Kalkschwämme. Eine Monographie in zwei Bänden Text und einem Atlas mit 60 Tafeln Abbildungen. Berlin : Georg Reimer Vol. 1 pp. 1-396; Vol. 2 pp. 1-418; Vol. 3, pls 1-30. [part translated in Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (4)11: 241–262, 421–430] [132].

  Type species:

   Leucilla amphora Haeckel, 1872 by subsequent designation, see Dendy, A. 1893. Studies on the comparative anatomy of sponges. V. Observations on the structure and classification of the Calcarea Heterocoela. Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science 2 35: 159-257 pls 10-14 [245].
• Polejna Lendenfeld, R. von 1885. A monograph of the Australian sponges. Part 3. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 9: 1083-1150 pls 59-67 [1115].

  Type species:

   Leucilla uter Poléjaeff, 1884 by monotypy.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Dendy, A. & Row, R.W.H. 1913. The classification and phylogeny of the calcareous sponges, with a reference list of all the described species, systematically arranged. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1913: 704-813 [793]

Distribution

States

Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-Malayan region, Indian Ocean, Red Sea, Japan, E Pacific, S Africa, NE Atlantic and West Indian region.

IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Central Western Transition (5)

Distribution References

Diagnosis

Amphoriscidae with sylleibid or leuconoid organisation. The choanoskeleton is formed primarily by the apical actines of giant cortical triactines and the unpaired actines of subatrial triactines or tetractines. It may contain dispersed spicules, but a typical articulated choanoskeleton is always absent.

ID Keys

See Order Leucosolenida Diagnosis

Diagnosis References

Borojevic, R., Boury-Esnault, N., Manuel, M. & Vacelet, J. 2002. Order Leucosolenida Hartman, 1958. pp. 1157-1184 in Hooper, J.N.A. & Soest, R.W.M. Van (eds). Systema Porifera. A guide to the classification of sponges. New York : Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers Vol. 2. [1179]

History of changes

• Leucandra saccharata Haeckel, E. 1872. Die Kalkschwämme. Eine Monographie in zwei Bänden Text und einem Atlas mit 60 Tafeln Abbildungen. Berlin : Georg Reimer Vol. 1 pp. 1-396; Vol. 2 pp. 1-418; Vol. 3, pls 1-30. [part translated in Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (4)11: 241–262, 421–430] [228].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) PMJ ? (not found), Bass Strait [39°20'S 145°30'E].

Distribution

States

Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Central Western Transition (5)

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 0–90 m.

History of changes

• Leucilla uter Poléjaeff, N. 1884. Report on the Calcarea dredged by H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873–1876. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger 1873–1876, Zoology 8: 1-76 pls 1-9 [53].

  Type data:

   Lectotype BMNH 1884.4.22.21 2 parts, wet and dry fragments of type, 170 m, off Cebu Is., Philippines [10°25'08"N 123°48'10"E].
  Paralectotype(s) BMNH 1884.4.22.31 wet; BMNH 1924.2.6.94 slide; BMNH 1924.2.6.95 slide; ZMB fragment of type(s?), 2 slides (ex Dendy Collection, from one of the former? with corresponding fragment of type in NMNZ).
• Leuconia johnstoni australiensis Carter, H.J. 1886. Description of sponges from the neighbourhood of Port Phillip Heads, South Australia. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 5 18: 126-149 [133] [junior secondary homonym of Leuconia fistulosa australiensis Carter, 1886].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) BMNH 1887.7.12.72 dry, Port Phillip Heads (and Western Port Bay?), VIC [38°07'S 144°48'E]; BMNH 1887.7.12.28 wet, Port Phillip Heads (and Western Port Bay?), VIC [38°07'S 144°48'E].

  Secondary source:

   Burton, M. 1963. A Revision of the Classification of the Calcareous Sponges. London : British Museum pp. 1-693 figs 1-375. [635] (both specimens mistakenly cited as holotype).
• Leucilla proteus Dendy, A. 1913. Report on the calcareous sponges collected by H.M.S. Sealark in the Indian Ocean. In Reports of the Percy Sladen Trust Expedition to the Indian Ocean in 1905. Vol. 5. Transactions of the Linnean Society of London 2nd Series Zoology 16: 1-29 pls 1-5 [25].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1920.12.9.60 wet, 69 m, Amirante, Indian Ocean [6°55'37"S 52°06'03"E].
• Leucilla oblata Row, R.W.H. & Hôzawa, S. 1931. Report on the Calcarea obtained by the Hamburg South-West Australian Expedition of 1905. Science Reports of the Tôhoku University 4 6: 727-809 17 figs pls 19-21 [802].

  Type data:

   Holotype ZMH, Shark Bay district, WA [25°30'S 113°30'E].
  Paratype(s) ZMH; BMNH 1925.11.1.93 wet; BMNH 1925.11.1.1468 wet; BMNH 1925.11.1.1494 wet.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Borojevic, R. & Peixinho, S. 1976. Eponges calcaires du nord-nord-est de Brésil. Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris [published 1907-1971] Zool. 279: 987-1036
• Borojevic, R. & Boury-Esnault, N. 1987. Revision of the genus Leucilla Haeckel, 1872, with a re-description of the type species Leucilla amphora Haeckel, 1872. pp. 29-40 in Jones, W.C. European contributions to the taxonomy of sponges. Publications of the Sherkin Island Marine Station 1

Distribution

States

Queensland

IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 59–183 m.

General References

Borojevic, R. & Boury-Esnault, N. 1987. Revision of the genus Leucilla Haeckel, 1872, with a re-description of the type species Leucilla amphora Haeckel, 1872. pp. 29-40 in Jones, W.C. European contributions to the taxonomy of sponges. Publications of the Sherkin Island Marine Station 1 [35]

Fell, H.B. 1950. The Kirk Collection of sponges (Porifera) in the Zoology Museum, Victoria University College. Zoological Publications of Victoria University College 4: 1-12 1 pl. [9]

Poléjaeff, N. 1884. Report on the Calcarea dredged by H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873–1876. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger 1873–1876, Zoology 8: 1-76 pls 1-9

History of changes

• Paraleucilla Dendy, A. 1893. Synopsis of the Australian Calcarea Heterocoela, with a proposed classification of the group and descriptions of some new genera and species. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria ns 5: 69-116 [77].

  Type species:

   Leucandra cucumis Haeckel, 1872 by monotypy.

Distribution

States

South Australia, Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

Palk Strait, Sri Lanka.

IMCRA

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

Distribution References

Diagnosis

Amphoriscidae with leuconoid organisation. The thick wall is divided into two regions. The outer region is supported by the skeleton which remains essentially inarticulated, with the apical actines of cortical tetractines pointed inwards, and a layer of triactines and/or tetractines with the unpaired actine pointed outwards. The inner region of the choanoskeleton is intercalated between the original subatrial skeleton and the atrial one, and it is supported by large triactines and/or tetractines, that are scattered in disarray, and whose form is similar to the spicules found in the outer layer of the choanoskeleton, or inside the atrial skeleton. Since the original subatrial layer still remains in the outer part of the choanosome, facing the cortical tetractines, there are no typical subatrial spicules adjacent to the atrial skeleton.

ID Keys

See Order Leucosolenida Diagnosis

Diagnosis References

Borojevic, R., Boury-Esnault, N., Manuel, M. & Vacelet, J. 2002. Order Leucosolenida Hartman, 1958. pp. 1157-1184 in Hooper, J.N.A. & Soest, R.W.M. Van (eds). Systema Porifera. A guide to the classification of sponges. New York : Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers Vol. 2. [1179]

History of changes

• Leucandra cucumis Haeckel, E. 1872. Die Kalkschwämme. Eine Monographie in zwei Bänden Text und einem Atlas mit 60 Tafeln Abbildungen. Berlin : Georg Reimer Vol. 1 pp. 1-396; Vol. 2 pp. 1-418; Vol. 3, pls 1-30. [part translated in Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (4)11: 241–262, 421–430] [205] [in part–Leucandra cucumis var. bassensis only, not Leucandra cucumis var. palcensis, see Burton, M. 1963. A Revision of the Classification of the Calcareous Sponges. London : British Museum pp. 1–693 figs 1–375. (116), figures are not collated with varieties, no nominate subspecies is distinguished].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) PMJ ? (not found), Gulf St Vincent, SA [35°00'S 138°05'E].
• Leucandra bassensis Haeckel, E. 1872. Die Kalkschwämme. Eine Monographie in zwei Bänden Text und einem Atlas mit 60 Tafeln Abbildungen. Berlin : Georg Reimer Vol. 1 pp. 1-396; Vol. 2 pp. 1-418; Vol. 3, pls 1-30. [part translated in Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (4)11: 241–262, 421–430] [206].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) PMJ ? (not found), Bass Strait [39°20'S 145°30'E].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Burton, M. 1963. A Revision of the Classification of the Calcareous Sponges. London : British Museum pp. 1-693 figs 1-375. [116, 546]

Distribution

States

South Australia, Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

Gulf St Vincent.

IMCRA

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

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

General References

Burton, M. 1963. A Revision of the Classification of the Calcareous Sponges. London : British Museum pp. 1-693 figs 1-375. [116, 546] (Leucandra bassensis Haeckel, 1872 also as Leucandra cucumis var. bassensis =nominate subspecies)

History of changes