Introduction

The family was recently resurrected by Hajdu & Lobo-Hajdu (2002) following Samaai et al.'s (1999) rigorous formal analysis on the affinities of Isodictya. The family contains eight nominal and two valid genera, Coelocarteria and sodictya, with Ichnodonax included as a junior synonym of Coelocarteria, and Cercidochela, Homoeodictya, Neoesperiopsis, Textiliforma and Valentis included in Isodictya.

Diagnosis

Mycalina with (mostly) diactinal megascleres arranged in a (plumo)reticulate skeletal architecture (niphatid- or phloeodictyid-like) and palmate isochelae.

ID Keys

KEY TO GENERA
(1) Reticulated choanosomal skeleton with thick tracts of oxeas, ectosomal skeleton a dense tangential reticulation of strongyles, Fistulose ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Coelocarteria
Reticulated choanosomal skeleton with variably thick tracts of oxeas (rarely styles), ectosomal skeleton with tufts of the same spicules, digitiform/flabellate forms are common --------------------------------------------------- Isodictya

Diagnosis References

Hajdu, E. & Lobo-Hajdu, G. 2002. Family Isodictyidae Dendy, 1924. pp. 703-706 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. [703]

General References

Hajdu, E. & Lobo-Hajdu, G. 2002. Family Isodictyidae Dendy, 1924. pp. 703-706 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.

Samaai, T., Gibbons, M.J. & Kelly, M. 1999. Morphological phylogenetic considerations on the relationships of Isodictya Bowerbank, 1865. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 44: 517-523

History of changes

• Coelocarteria Burton, M. 1934. Sponges. Scientific Reports of the Great Barrier Reef Expedition 1928-1929 4: 513-621 pls 1-2 [563].

  Type species:

   Phloeodictyon singaporensis Carter, 1883 by original designation.
• Ichnodonax Laubenfels, M.W. de 1954. The sponges of the West-Central Pacific. Oregon State Monographs. Studies in Zoology 7: 1-306 pls 1-12 [111].

  Type species:

   Ichnodonax kapne de Laubenfels, 1954 by original designation.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Bergquist, P.R. 1965. The sponges of Micronesia, Part I. The Palau Archipelago. Pacific Science 19: 123-204 34 figs [161]

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

S Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Indo-Malayan region, W and central Pacific Ocean.

IMCRA

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

Distribution References

Diagnosis

Isodictyidae with fistules; a phloeodictyid-like architecture with a dense, but neat reticulation of plurispicular tracts of strongyles and/or oxeas.

ID Keys

See Family Isodictyidae Diagnosis.

Diagnosis References

Hajdu, E. & Lobo-Hajdu, G. 2002. Family Isodictyidae Dendy, 1924. pp. 703-706 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. [703]

History of changes

• Phloeodictyon singaporensis Carter, H.J. 1883. Contributions to our knowledge of the Spongida. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 5 12: 308-329 pls 11-14 [326].

  Type data:

   Holotype LFM 24.5.83.21 (not seen, probably destroyed in 1941, =BMNH 1954.3.9.97 slide, =BMNH 1954.3.9.98 slide, =BMNH 1884.4.14.7 slide), Singapore.

  Secondary source:

   Stone, S.M. 1986. Index to Important Sponge Collections. Autumn 1986. London : British Museum (Natural History) Vol. 47. [25].
• Histoderma vesiculatum Dendy, A. 1905. Report on the sponges collected by Professor Herdman, at Ceylon, in 1902. 57-246 pls 1-16 in Herdman, W.A. (ed.). Report to the Government of Ceylon on the Pearl Oyster Fisheries of the Gulf of Manaar. London : Royal Society Vol. 3 Suppl. 18. [166].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) BMNH 1907.2.1.60 wet, Gulf of Mannar, Sri Lanka.
• Ichnodonax kapne Laubenfels, M.W. de 1954. The sponges of the West-Central Pacific. Oregon State Monographs. Studies in Zoology 7: 1-306 pls 1-12 [112].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) USNM 23130, 2 m, Micronesia (Iwayana Bay, Koror, Palau Achipelago, Caroline Ils).

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Bergquist, P.R. 1965. The sponges of Micronesia, Part I. The Palau Archipelago. Pacific Science 19: 123-204 34 figs [161, 163]

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Great Barrier Reef, QLD; Torres Strait, Prince of Wales Channel, North Direction Is., Lizard Is., also S Atlantic Ocean (?), Indian Ocean, Indo-Malayan region and W Pacific Ocean.

IMCRA

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

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth subtidal–36 m (648 m?).

General References

Fromont, J. 2003. Porifera (Sponges) in the Dampier Archipelago: Taxonomic affinities and biogeography. Proceedings of the Twelfth International Marine Biological Workshop. The Marine Flora and Fauna of Dampier, Western Australia. 405-417 pp. [408] (Listed as "sinagporense")

Hooper, J.N.A., List-Armitage, S.E., Kennedy, J.A., Cook, S.D. & Valentine, C.A. 1999. Sponges of the Low Isles, Great Barrier Reef: an important scientific site, or a case of mistaken identity? Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 44: 249-262 [259] (Listed in this article)

History of changes

• Cercidochela Kirkpatrick, R. 1907. Preliminary report on the Monaxonellida of the National Antarctic Expedition. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 7 20: 271-291 [284].

  Type species:

   Cercidochela lankesteri Kirkpatrick, 1907 by monotypy.
• Homoeodictya Ehlers, E. 1870. Die Esper'schen Spongien in der zoologischen Sammlung der K. Universität Erlangen. Erlangen : E.T. Jacob 36 pp. [17].

  Type species:

   Spongia digitata Esper, 1797 by monotypy.
• [Platychalina] Ehlers, E. 1870. Die Esper'schen Spongien in der zoologischen Sammlung der K. Universität Erlangen. Erlangen : E.T. Jacob 36 pp. [21] [regarded as synonym of Homoeodictya Ehlers, 1870 by Burton, M. 1936. Notes on sponges from South Africa, with descriptions of new species. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 10 17: 141–147 (143), but according to Ehlers description it is clearly a haplosclerid, probably a synonym of Callyspongia Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864 (see Soest, R.W.M. Van 1980. Marine sponges from Curaçao and other Caribbean localities. Part II. Haplosclerida. Stud. Fauna Curaçao 62(191): 1–173 49 figs 18 pls p. 59)].

  Type species:

   Spongia foliacea Esper, 1797 by indication.
• Neosperiopsis Laubenfels, M.W. de 1949. The sponges of Woods Hole and adjacent waters. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard 103(1): 1-55 [15].

  Type species:

   Neosperiopsis deichmannae de Laubenfels, 1949 by original designation.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

IMCRA

Southwest Shelf Province (31)

Diagnosis

Isodictyidae of flabellate/digitate growth forms; choanosomal skeleton reticulate or plumoreticulate (niphatid-like); megascleres are mostly diactinal, usually oxeas; microscleres, palmate isochelae, frequently with plate-like inner extensions of the falxes.

ID Keys

See Family Isodictyidae Diagnosis.

Diagnosis References

Hajdu, E. & Lobo-Hajdu, G. 2002. Family Isodictyidae Dendy, 1924. pp. 703-706 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. [704]

History of changes

• Isodictya cavicornuta Dendy, A. 1924. Porifera. Part 1. Non-antarctic sponges. pp. 269–392 pls 1–15 in, British Antarctic (Terra Nova) Expedition, 1910. Natural History Report, Zoology Vol. 6. [335].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) BMNH 1923.10.1.82–90 wet, off Three Kings Is. or North Cape, New Zealand.

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Aust. Antarctic Terr.; George V Coast; Commonwealth Bay also New Zealand and Antarctic.

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 45–450 m.

History of changes

Taxonomic Decision for Subspecies Arrangement

• Thiele, J. 1905. Die Kiesel-und Hornschwämme der Sammlung Plate. Zoologische Jahrbücher 6: 407-496 pls 27-33 [435]

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Antarctic, Subantarctic.

History of changes

• Desmacidon delicata Thiele, J. 1905. Die Kiesel-und Hornschwämme der Sammlung Plate. Zoologische Jahrbücher 6: 407-496 pls 27-33 [435].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) ZMB, Seno Almirantazgo, Tierra del Fuego, Chile; BMNH 1931.3.27 wet fragment of type, Seno Almirantazgo, Tierra del Fuego, Chile.

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Aust. Antarctic Terr.; George V Coast; Commonwealth Bay and also Subantarctic.

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 45–145 m.

History of changes

• Isodictya delicata megachela Burton, M. 1934. Sponges. pp. 1–58, 8 pls in Bock, S. (ed.) Further Zoological Results of the Swedish Antarctic Expedition 1901–1903 Vol. 3(2). [20].

  Type data:

   Holotype NHRM 887, 288 m, Seymour Is., Antarctic Peninsula (64º20´S 56º38´W).
  Paratype(s) BMNH 1933.3.17.118 slide; BMNH 1933.3.17.119 slide.

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Aust. Antarctic Terr.; Knox Coast, George V Coast.

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 150–920 m.

History of changes

• Homoeodictya erinacea Topsent, E. 1916. Diagnoses d'Eponges recueillies dans l'Antarctique par le Pourquoi pas? Bulletin du Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle. Paris [published 1895-1906] 22: 163-172 [169].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) MNHN Paris, 92 m, Wiencke Is., Peltier Channel, Palmer Archipelago, Antarctic Peninsula.
• Homoeodictya kirkpatricki Topsent, E. 1916. Diagnoses d'Eponges recueillies dans l'Antarctique par le Pourquoi pas? Bulletin du Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle. Paris [published 1895-1906] 22: 163-172 [169].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) MNHN one fragment, 250 m, off Alexander Is., Antarctic Peninsula, (68º54´S 72º05´W); 200 m, Marguerite Bay.
• Desmacidon doryphora Brøndsted, H.V. 1927. Antarctic and subantarctic sponges collected by S. Wallin 1924. Arkiv för Zoologi 19(A,6): 1-6 [2].

  Type data:

   Holotype (?ZMLU), 640 m, 30ºN of Discovery Inlet, New Zealand Antarctic Terr.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• 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 [171]

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Aust. Antarctic Terr.; Banzare Coast, Mawson Coast, George V Coast, Wilhelm II Coast, Balleny islands, Kemp coast, Enderby Land, also Subantarctic.

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 92–920 m.

History of changes

• Homoeodictya kerguelensis Ridley, S.O. & Dendy, A. 1886. Preliminary report on the Monaxonida collected by H.M.S. Challenger. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 5 18: 325-351, 470-493 [346].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) BMNH 1887.5.2.166 wet, 48 m, Royal Sound, Kerguelen, Subantarctic; ZMB fragments of type(s?), 48 m, Royal Sound, Kerguelen, Subantarctic.
• Desmacidon kerguelensis antarctica Kirkpatrick, R. 1908. Porifera. II. Tetraxonida. National Antarctic Expedition 1901–1904. Natural History London : British Museum Vol. 4 1–56 pls 8–26. [37].

  Type data:

   Lectotype BMNH 1908.2.5.177 wet (slides) (figured pl. 19 fig. 1, Ross Is.), 48–287 m, off Ross Is., and 298 m, off Coulman Is. New Zealand Antarctic Terr.
  Paralectotype(s) BMNH 1908.2.5.178 wet, Ross Is.; BMNH 1908.2.5.179 wet, slides, Coulman Is.; BMNH 1908.2.5.180a wet, slides, Ross Is.; BMNH 1908.2.5.180b wet, slides, Ross Is.; BMNH 1908.2.5.180c wet, slides, Ross Is.
• Desmacidon kerguelensis cactoides Kirkpatrick, R. 1908. Porifera. II. Tetraxonida. National Antarctic Expedition 1901–1904. Natural History London : British Museum Vol. 4 1–56 pls 8–26. [38].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1908.2.5.81 wet, slides, 48–58 m, off Ross Is., New Zealand Antarctic Terr. (77º49´S 167º7´4˜E).
• Homoeodictya kerguelensis simillima Hentschel, E. 1914. Monaxone Kieselschwämme und Hornschwämme der Deutschen Südpolar-Expedition 1901–1903. In Drygalski, E. von (ed.) Deutsche Südpolar-Expedition 1901–1903. 15(Zool. 7):. 35-141 pls 4-8 [80].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) ZMB 4790 3 slides, 350–385 m, off Wilhelm II Coast, Gauss Winter Station Aust. Antarctic Terr. (66º2´9˜S 89º38´E).

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• 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 [175]
• Boury-Esnault, N. & Beveren, M. van 1982. Les démosponges du plateau continental de Kerguelen-Heard. Comité national français des Recherches Antarctiques 52: 1-132 21 pls [68]

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Aust. Antarctic Terr., Heard Is., Macquarie Is.; George V Coast, Commonwealth Bay, Wilhelm II Coast, Queen Mary Coast, Knox Coast, Prydz Bay, Clarie Coast, Mawson Coast, Enderby Land, also Subantarctic.

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 0–1266 m.

History of changes

• Cercidochela lankesteri Kirkpatrick, R. 1907. Preliminary report on the Monaxonellida of the National Antarctic Expedition. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 7 20: 271-291 [284].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1908.2.5.186 wet, slides, 258 m, off Ross Is. Discovery winter quarters, Antarctica (77º49´S 167º7´4˜E).

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Aust. Antarctic Terr.; off Wilhelm II Coast, Knox Coast, also Weddell Sea.

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 92–840 m.

History of changes

• Homoeodictya microchela Topsent, E. 1915. Spongiaires recueillies par la Scotia dans l'Antarctique (1903–1904). Supplement. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 51: 35-43 [37].

  Type data:

   Holotype (not in RSM, possibly in MNHN Paris), 105 m, Burdwood Bank, Subantarctic (54º25´S 57º32´W).

  Secondary source:

   Stone, S.M. 1986. Index to Important Sponge Collections. Autumn 1986. London : British Museum (Natural History) Vol. 47. [9, under 'Scotia'].

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Macquarie Is.; also Subantarctic.

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 100–151 m.

History of changes

• Desmacidon setifera Topsent, E. 1901. Notice préliminaire sur les Eponges recueillies par l'Expédition Antarctique Belge. Archives de Zoologie Expérimentale et Générale 3 9(Notes Rev.): 5-16 [6].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) MIZL fragments, 450 m, Bellingshausen Sea, Antarctica (71º15´S 87º39´W).

  Secondary source:

   Schulze, F.E. & Kirkpatrick, R. 1910. Die Hexactinelliden der Deutschen Südpolar-Expedition 1901–1903. In Drygalski, E. von (ed.) Deutsche Südpolar-Expedition 1901–1903 12(Zool. 4): 1–62 pls 1–10. [4].
• Desmacidon spinigera Kirkpatrick, R. 1907. Preliminary report on the Monaxonellida of the National Antarctic Expedition. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 7 20: 271-291 [283].

  Type data:

   Lectotype BMNH 1908.2.5.182 wet, slides (figured 1908, pl. 19 fig. 3, Ross Is.), 38–255 m, off Ross Is., New Zealand Antarctic Terr. (77º49´S 167º7´4˜E); 195 m, off Coulman Is.
  Paralectotype(s) BMNH wet, 3 specimens, slides, Coulman Is.; BMNH 1908.2.5.184 wet, slides, Coulman Is.; BMNH 1908.2.5.185 wet, slides, Ross Is.; RSM 1921.143.1415 wet.
• Homoeodictya verrucosa Topsent, E. 1913. Spongiaires de l'Expédition Antarctique Nationale écossaise. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 49(3): 579-643 pls 1-6 [636].

  Type data:

   Holotype RSM, 110 m, Burdwood Bank, Subantarctic (54º25´S 57º32´W).
  Paratype(s) (?).

  Secondary source:

   Stone, S.M. 1986. Index to Important Sponge Collections. Autumn 1986. London : British Museum (Natural History) Vol. 47. [9, under 'Scotia'].
• Homoeodictya obliquidens Hentschel, E. 1914. Monaxone Kieselschwämme und Hornschwämme der Deutschen Südpolar-Expedition 1901–1903. In Drygalski, E. von (ed.) Deutsche Südpolar-Expedition 1901–1903. 15(Zool. 7):. 35-141 pls 4-8 [79].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) ZMB 4791 2 jars and 4 slides, 350–385 m, off Wilhelm II Coast, Gauss Winter Station, Aust. Antarctic Terr. (66º2´9˜S 89º38´E).
• Homoeodictya trigona Topsent, E. 1917. Spongiaires. 1-88 6 pls in Joubin, L. (ed.). Deuxième Expédition Antarctique Française (1908–1910) commandée par le Dr. Jean Charcot. Paris : Masson. [66] [nom. nov. for Desmacidon setifer Topsent, 1908 and Homoeodictya setifera Topsent, 1913].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) MNHN Paris, locality unknown.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Koltun, V.M. 1964. Sponges of the Antarctic. Part 1. Tetraxonida and Cornacuspongida. 6-116, 428-433 (systematic index), pls 1-15 in Pavlovskii, E.P., Andriyashev, A.P. & Ushakov, P.V. (eds). Academy of Sciences of the U.S.S.R., Zoological Institute: Explorations of the fauna of the seas II (X). Biological Reports of the Soviet Antarctic Expedition (1955–1958). Moscow : Izdatel'stvo ‘Nauka' Vol. 2. [in Russian] [41]

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Aust. Antarctic Terr.; Wilhelm II Coast, off Gauss Sea, Davis Sea, Knox Coast, Prydz Bay, Mawson Coast, Kemp coast, Enderby Land, Amery Ice Shelf, Banzare Coast, Claire Coast, George V Coast, also Subantarctic.

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 0–710 m.

General References

Webster, N.S. 2007. Sponge disease: a global threat ? Environmental Microbiology 9(6): 1363-1375 [1366]

History of changes

• Homoeodictya staurophora Hentschel, E. 1911. Tetraxonida. pp. 279-393, 54 figs 2. Teil. in Michaelsen, W. & Hartmeyer, R. (eds). Die Fauna Südwest-Australiens. Jena : G. Fischer Vol. 3 (10). [317].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) ZMH 2 specimens, dry, Middleton Beach (Albany), cast on beach, Geographe Bay, WA; ZMB 4411 wet fragment of type, Middleton Beach (Albany), cast on beach, Geographe Bay, WA.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

IMCRA

Southwest Shelf Province (31)

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

History of changes