Genus Halichondria Fleming, 1828
Taxonomic Decision for Subgeneric Arrangement
- Erpenbeck, D. & van Soest, R.W.M. 2002. Family Halichondriidae Gray, 1867. pp. 787-816 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. [800]
Distribution
States
New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia
Extra Distribution Information
Cosmopolitan.
IMCRA
Timor Transition (1), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)
Distribution References
- Bergquist, P.R. & Fromont, J. 1988. The marine fauna of New Zealand: Porifera, Demospongiae, Part 4 (Poecilosclerida). New Zealand Oceanographic Institute Memoir 96: 1-197 pls 1-57
- Koltun, V.M. 1976. Porifera. Part I. Antarctic sponges. Report of the British, Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition, 1928–31 B Zoology & Botany 9(4): 147-198 pls 1-3
- Vosmaer, G.C.J. 1932. [1932–1935]. The sponges of the Bay of Naples. Porifera Incalcaria. In Vosmaer-Röell, C.S. & Burton, M. (eds) Vol. 1 (1932–3), issued in 5 parts. Capita Zoologica 3: 1–456 pls 1–35. Vol. 2 (1933–5), issued in 5 parts. Capita Zoologica 5: 457–857 pls 36–71 (pls 43, 55 omitted). Also published separately in 3 vols (2 vols text, 875 pp., and atlas, 69 pls). The Hague : Martinus Nijhoff 1933–35. [550]
Diagnosis
Encrusting, massive, occasionally irregularly branching, or digitate sponges with smooth or papillate surface. Oscules often on conical elevations. Surface skeleton well-developed with tangential bundles of spicules and single spicules intercrossing to form a lighter or heavier built surface crust. Subectosomal spaces usually well-developed causing the surface crust to be often rather independent of the main skeleton and easily peeled off. Choanosomal skeleton of rather ill-defined bundles of spicules, which at the surface become oriented perpendicular to the surface crust. They often fan out and carry the surface crust. Many single spicules distributed randomly. Spongin not visibly present. Spicules oxeas with gradually tapering sharp points, in a wide size range, often seemingly divisible into a smaller and a larger category but overlap is extensive. Occasionally style-like modifications occur at a low frequency. About 110 species distributed over all regions and habitats.
ID Keys
See Family Halichondriidae Diagnosis.
Diagnosis References
Erpenbeck, D. & van Soest, R.W.M. 2002. Family Halichondriidae Gray, 1867. pp. 787-816 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. [799]
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29-Mar-2018 | 15-Dec-2011 | MOVED | ||
| 29-Mar-2018 | 13-Apr-2011 | MODIFIED | ||
| 12-Feb-2010 | (import) |