Family APLYSINELLIDAE Bergquist, 1980

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Regional Maps

• Bergquist, P.R. & Cook, S.D.C. 2002. Family Aplyinellidae Bergquist, 1980. pp. 1094-1096 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. [1094]

Introduction

The Aplysinellidae Bergquist, 1980, are verongids with dendritic skeleton made up of fibres with both bark and pith elements represented, both components can vary in the relative proportion of the fibre section that they constitute. Some species exhibit a different surface to interior pigmentation in life which remains discernable in alcohol, this is unusual within the Verongida. Free fibrous spicules augment the fibre skeleton in one genus (Aplysinella). Fibre mass in relation to soft tissue volume varies from strongly fibrous (Porphyria), to predominance of collagenous matrix (Suberea). Choanocyte chambers are diplodal, small and spherical.

Three genera are included with distribution from the Red Sea, Indo-Pacific, Australian tropical and warm temperate regions. Several species now grouped within Aplysina and Pseudoceratina need to be transferred to aplysinellid genera, mainly to Suberea, but there is need for a comprehensive revision. Nine species are currently described in the family (Bergquist & Cook 2002).

Diagnosis

Verongida with dendritic skeleton made up of fibres with both bark and pith elements represented, both components can vary in the relative proportion of the fibre section that they constitute Some species exhibit a different surface to interior pigmentation in life which remains discernable in alcohol, this is unusual within the Verongida. Free fibrous spicules augment the fibre skeleton in one genus (Aplysinella). Fibre mass in relation to soft tissue volume varies from strongly fibrous (Porphyria), to predominance of collagenous matrix (Suberea). Choanocyte chambers are diplodal, small and spherical.

ID Keys

KEY TO GENERA
(1) Fibre skeleton includes free fibrous spicules --------------------------------------------------------------- Aplysinella
Fibrous spicules absent --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2

(2) Fibre skeleton strongly represented, bark dominant in fibres -------------------------------------------- Porphyria
Fibre skeleton sparse, pith dominant in fibres --------------------------------------------------------------------- Suberea

Diagnosis References

Bergquist, P.R. & Cook, S.D.C. 2002. Family Aplyinellidae Bergquist, 1980. pp. 1094-1096 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. [1094]

General References

Bergquist, P.R. & Cook, S.D.C. 2002. Family Aplyinellidae Bergquist, 1980. pp. 1094-1096 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.

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