Australian Biological Resources Study

Australian Faunal Directory

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Genus Alectona Carter, 1879

 

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

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


IBRA and IMCRA regions (map not available)

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.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
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)