Family DENDORICELLIDAE Hentschel, 1923

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Introduction

The previous concept of Dendoricellidae, used by Hentschel (1923) but few other subsequent authors, differs from the revised concept proposed by Van Soest (2002). The present family accommodates Myxillina with the combined possession of exclusively oxeas as megascleres and arcuate chelae as microscleres, with plumose instead of reticulate arrangement of the megascleres, distinguishing it from the family Desmacididae. Members of the family Dendoricellidae occur predominantly in cold or temperate waters, frequently at greater depths. Six nominal genera, three of which are considered valid: Dendoricella, Fibulia and Pyloderma.

Diagnosis

Shape usually elaborate, massive with fistules or long projections, branching or flabellate. Spicules sharp-pointed oxeas, sometimes differentiated into distinct smaller ectosomal and larger choanosomal sizes. Arrangement of megascleres plumose, occasionally almost plumoreticulate; in the case of fistular growth forms there is a parchment like tangential ectosomal skeleton and a scanty choanosomal skeleton. Microscleres scattered arcuate isochelae, sometimes modified to resemble peculiarly round sigmoids, occasionally entirely absent. In the latter case membership of this family is based on circumstantial similarities in megasclere shape and arrangement.

ID Keys

KEY TO GENERA
(1) Oxeas differentiated in smaller ectosomal and larger choanosomal size categories ---------------------------------- 2
Only a single size category of oxeas ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fibulia

(2) Shape bladder-like with hollow fistular projections --------------------------------------------------------- Pyloderma
Shape lobate or fan-shaped, not fistular ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dendoricella

Diagnosis References

van Soest, R.W.M. 2002. Family Dendoricellidae Hentschel, 1923. pp. 567-571 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. [567]

General References

van Soest, R.W.M. 2002. Family Dendoricellidae Hentschel, 1923. pp. 567-571 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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