Introduction

Leucascidae Dendy, 1893 occur in massive, lobate and pear-shaped growth forms with single or many oscula. The ectosomal cortex is characteristically well developed. Triradiate (Hooper & Wiedenmayer 1994: fig. 147) and quadriradiate spicules (Hooper & Wiedenmayer 1994: fig. 158) of the chamber layer are irregularly scattered in the walls of the elongate chambers where they occur in a two-dimensional arrangement associated with exhalant canals. Choanocyte chambers are long, tubular and branched, arranged radially around the exhalant canal system (Hartman 1982).

Borojevic et al. (1990) provide another diagnosis of the family, emphasising body form; they suggest that these sponges have a body differentiated into a cortex and a choanosome whose organisation is reminiscent of a clathroid body composed of anastomosed tubes; choanocyte chambers are tubular, often highly ramified and anastomosed; and choanosome skeleton is restricted to the walls of the choanocyte chambers, maintaining a distinct tubular organisation. Borojevic et al. (2002) cite an incorrect reference for the date of establishment for the family, as 1892 instead of 1893 - the latter subsequently reconfirmed.

Three genera are included in this family, scattered in the tropical and warm-temperate seas (Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, Channel coast of France). Both genera are known to occur in Australian waters. They are found down to depths of at least 150 m (Hartman 1982).

Reviews are available in Dendy (1893); Bidder (1898); Dendy & Row (1913; Leucetta and Pericharax added); Burton (1963; discussion, dropped); Hartman (1958; retained in Leucettida); Borojevic (1968; in Calcinea, differentiation from Leucettidae, phylogeny; Leucascus and 'Ascaltis' (sensu novo, =Aulorrhiza) included); and Hartman (1982).

Diagnosis

Clathrinida with a body differentiated into a cortex and a choanosome whose organisation is reminiscent of a clathroid cormus composed of anastomosed tubes. The cortex contains a specific skeleton, composed of large triactines and/or tetractines. Choanocyte chambers are tubular, often highly ramified and anastomosed. The choanoskeleton is restricted to the walls of the choanocyte chambers, maintaining a distinctly tubular organisation.

ID Keys

See order Clathrinida diagnosis

Diagnosis References

Borojevic, R., Boury-Esnault, N., Manuel, M. & Vacelet, J. 2002. Order Clathrinida Hartman, 1958. pp. 1141-1152 in Hooper, J.N.A. & Soest, R.W.M. Van (eds). Systema Porifera. A guide to the classification of sponges. New York : Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers Vol. 2. [1149]

General References

Bidder, G.P. 1898. The skeleton and classification of calcareous sponges. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London 64: 61-76 10 figs

Borojevic, R. 1968. Eponges calcaires des côtes de France. IV. Le genre Ascaltis Haeckel emend. Archives de Zoologie Expérimentale et Générale 109: 193-210

Borojevic, R., Boury-Esnault, N., Manuel, M. & Vacelet, J. 2002. Order Clathrinida Hartman, 1958. pp. 1141-1152 in Hooper, J.N.A. & Soest, R.W.M. Van (eds). Systema Porifera. A guide to the classification of sponges. New York : Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers Vol. 2. [1149]

Borojevic, R., Boury-Esnault, N. & Vacelet, J. 1990. A revision of the supraspecific classification of the subclass Calcinea (Porifera, Class Calcarea). Bulletin du Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle. Paris [published 1895-1906] 4 12(A,2): 243-276

Burton, M. 1963. A Revision of the Classification of the Calcareous Sponges. London : British Museum pp. 1-693 figs 1-375.

Dendy, A. 1893. Studies on the comparative anatomy of sponges. V. Observations on the structure and classification of the Calcarea Heterocoela. Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science 2 35: 159-257 pls 10-14

Dendy, A. 1893. Synopsis of the Australian Calcarea Heterocoela, with a proposed classification of the group and descriptions of some new genera and species. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria ns 5: 69-116

Dendy, A. & Row, R.W.H. 1913. The classification and phylogeny of the calcareous sponges, with a reference list of all the described species, systematically arranged. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1913: 704-813

Hartman, W.D. 1958. A re-examination of Bidder's classification of the Calcarea. Systematic Zoology 7: 97-110

Hartman, W.D. 1982. Porifera. pp. 640-666 in Parker, S.P. (ed.). Synopsis and Classification of Living Organisms. New York : McGraw-Hill Vol. 1.

Hooper, J.N.A. & Wiedenmayer, F. 1994. Porifera. pp. 1–620 in Wells, A. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Melbourne : CSIRO Australia Vol. 12 xiii 624 pp. [Date published 21/Nov/1994]

History of changes

• Ascaltis Haeckel, E. 1872. Die Kalkschwämme. Eine Monographie in zwei Bänden Text und einem Atlas mit 60 Tafeln Abbildungen. Berlin : Georg Reimer Vol. 1 pp. 1-396; Vol. 2 pp. 1-418; Vol. 3, pls 1-30. [part translated in Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (4)11: 241–262, 421–430] [51] [not the junior homonym, Ascaltis Borojevic, 1968, which is referred to Aulorrhiza Haeckel, 1869].

  Type species:

   Leucosolenia lamarcki Haeckel, 1870 by original designation.
• Aulorrhiza Haeckel, E. 1870. Prodromus eines Systems der Kalkschwämme. Jenaische Zeitschrift für Medizin und Naturwissenschaft 5: 236-254 [also appeared in English as: Haeckel, E. 1870. Prodromus of a system of the Calcareous sponges. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (4)5:176–191] [250] [junior homonym].

  Type species:

   Aulorrhiza intestinalis Haeckel, 1869 by monotypy.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia

IMCRA

Southwest Shelf Province (31), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Southeast Shelf Transition (37)

History of changes

• Ascaltis lamarcki var. agassizi Haeckel, E. 1872. Die Kalkschwämme. Eine Monographie in zwei Bänden Text und einem Atlas mit 60 Tafeln Abbildungen. Berlin : Georg Reimer Vol. 1 pp. 1-396; Vol. 2 pp. 1-418; Vol. 3, pls 1-30. [part translated in Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (4)11: 241–262, 421–430] [60].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, Florida and E Coast of Greenland [32°25'15"N 107°35'09"W].

History of changes

• Clathrina cavata Carter, H.J. 1886. Description of sponges from the neighbourhood of Port Phillip Heads, South Australia. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 5 17: 431-441, 502-516 [432].

  Type data:

   Lectotype BMNH 1887.7.12.1, Port Phillip Heads or Westernport Bay, VIC [38°07'S 144°48'E or 38°22'S 145°20'E].
  Paralectotype(s) BMNH 1887.7.12.2; BMNH 1887.7.12.36 (probable); BMNH 1956.4.26.7–8 (probable); BMNH 1924.2.6.2 slide (possible).

  Secondary source:

   Burton, M. 1963. A Revision of the Classification of the Calcareous Sponges. London : British Museum pp. 1-693 figs 1-375. [579].

Generic Combinations

• Ascaltis cavata (Carter, 1886). —
  Klautau, M. & Valentine, C. 2003. Revision of the genus Clathrina (Porifera, Calcarea). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 139: 1–62 [3]
• Leucosolenia cavata (Carter, 1886). —
  Dendy, A. 1891. A monograph of the Victorian sponges. Part 1. The organisation and classification of the Calcarea Homocoela, with descriptions of the Victorian species. Transactions of the Royal Society of Victoria 3: 1-81 pls 1-11 [56]

Distribution

States

Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

IMCRA

Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Southeast Shelf Transition (37)

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

History of changes

• Aulorrhiza intestinalis Haeckel, E. 1870. Prodromus eines Systems der Kalkschwämme. Jenaische Zeitschrift für Medizin und Naturwissenschaft 5: 236-254 [also appeared in English as: Haeckel, E. 1870. Prodromus of a system of the Calcareous sponges. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (4)5:176–191] [250].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, (coords for Tarifa and straits of Gibralter), Tarifa, Straits of Gibralter, Mogador, Atlantic coast of Morocco [36°01'22"N 5°35'52"W, 35°57'03"N 5°44'41"W].

Generic Combinations

• Ascaltis lamarcki (Haeckel, 1870).

History of changes

• Ascetta primordialis posterium Haeckel, E. 1872. Die Kalkschwämme. Eine Monographie in zwei Bänden Text und einem Atlas mit 60 Tafeln Abbildungen. Berlin : Georg Reimer Vol. 1 pp. 1-396; Vol. 2 pp. 1-418; Vol. 3, pls 1-30. [part translated in Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (4)11: 241–262, 421–430] [17].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) PMJ Porif 132 wet (only one specimen found — NMV photos 56/30–33), Fiji; Bass Strait; Gulf St Vincent, SA(?); Sydney, NSW(?); Arabian Red Sea; Fiji [17°43'55"S 177°59'50"E, 39°20'S 145°30'E, 33°53'S 151°12'E ??].

Generic Combinations

• Ascaltis posterium (Haeckel, 1872).

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia

IMCRA

Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34)

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth shallow water–220 m.

History of changes

• Leucosolenia vitraea Row, R.W.H. & Hôzawa, S. 1931. Report on the Calcarea obtained by the Hamburg South-West Australian Expedition of 1905. Science Reports of the Tôhoku University 4 6: 727-809 17 figs pls 19-21 [740].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1925.11.1.15 (part?), Albany district, WA [35°02'S 117°53'E].

  Secondary source:

   Burton, M. 1963. A Revision of the Classification of the Calcareous Sponges. London : British Museum pp. 1-693 figs 1-375. [593].

Generic Combinations

• Ascaltis vitraea (Row & Hôzawa, 1931).

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

• Ascoleucetta Dendy, A. & Frederick, L.M. 1924. On a collection of sponges from the Abrolhos Islands, Western Australia. Journal of the Linnean Society of London, Zoology Zool. 35: 477-519 pls 25-26 [481] [reinstated as valid genus by Cavalcanti et al. (2013: 299)].

  Type species:

   Ascoleucetta compressa Dendy & Frederick, 1924 by monotypy.

Distribution

States

Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5)

General References

Cavalcanti, F.F., Rapp, H.T. & Klautau, M. 2013. Taxonomic revision of Leucascus Dendy, 1892 (Porifera: Calcarea) with revalidation of Ascoleucetta Dendy & Frederick, 1924 and description of three new species. Zootaxa 3619(3): 275–314 [299]

History of changes

• Ascoleucetta compressa Dendy, A. & Frederick, L.M. 1924. On a collection of sponges from the Abrolhos Islands, Western Australia. Journal of the Linnean Society of London, Zoology Zool. 35: 477-519 pls 25-26 [481].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1924.9.1.3, Wooded Isle, Houtman Abrolhos (as Albrolhos Ils), WA [28°43'S 113°48'E].

  Secondary source:

   Burton, M. 1963. A Revision of the Classification of the Calcareous Sponges. London : British Museum pp. 1-693 figs 1-375. [594].

Generic Combinations

• Ascoleucetta compressa Dendy & Frederick, 1924. —
  Cavalcanti, F.F., Rapp, H.T. & Klautau, M. 2013. Taxonomic revision of Leucascus Dendy, 1892 (Porifera: Calcarea) with revalidation of Ascoleucetta Dendy & Frederick, 1924 and description of three new species. Zootaxa 3619(3): 275–314
• Ascaltis compressa (Dendy & Frederick, 1924). —
  Borojevic, R. 1968. Eponges calcaires des côtes de France. IV. Le genre Ascaltis Haeckel emend. Archives de Zoologie Expérimentale et Générale 109: 193-210 [205]
• Aulorrhiza compressa (Dendy & Frederick, 1924).
• Leucascus compressus (Dendy & Frederick, 1924). —
  Borojevic, R. & Klautau, M. 2000. Calcareous sponges from New Caledonia. Zoosystematica Rossica 22(2): 187-201 [192]

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5)

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Shallow water.

History of changes

• Clathrina ventricosa Carter, H.J. 1886. Description of sponges from the neighbourhood of Port Phillip Heads, South Australia. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 5 17: 431-441, 502-516 [512].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1886.7.12.6, Port Phillip Heads or Westernport Bay, VIC [38°07'S 144°48'E or 38°22'S 145°20'E].
  Paratype(s) BMNH 1886.6.7.1; BMNH 1886.6.7.2; BMNH 1886.6.7.3; BMNH 1886.12.15.30; BMNH 1886.12.15.31; BMNH 1886.12.15.32; BMNH 1886.7.12.6; BMNH 1886.7.12.7; BMNH 1886.7.12.45; BMNH 1886.7.12.46; BMNH 1924.2.6.30 slides, possible; BMNH 1924.2.6.33 slides, possible; BMNH 1924.2.6.35 slides, possible; BMNH 1924.2.6.36 slides, possible.

  Secondary source:

   Burton, M. 1963. A Revision of the Classification of the Calcareous Sponges. London : British Museum pp. 1-693 figs 1-375. [592].
• Leucosolenia ventricosa solida Dendy, A. 1891. A monograph of the Victorian sponges. Part 1. The organisation and classification of the Calcarea Homocoela, with descriptions of the Victorian species. Transactions of the Royal Society of Victoria 3: 1-81 pls 1-11 [62].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) NMV G2420 wet, inside Port Phillip Heads, VIC [38°07'S 144°48'E]; NMV G2422 wet, inside Port Phillip Heads, VIC [38°07'S 144°48'E]; NMV G2421 wet (=BMNH 1925.11.1.1715 slide), inside Port Phillip Heads, VIC [38°07'S 144°48'E]; BMNH 1925.11.1.1712 (slide), inside Port Phillip Heads, VIC [38°07'S 144°48'E]; BMNH 1925.11.1.1716 (slide), inside Port Phillip Heads, VIC [38°07'S 144°48'E]; BMNH 1925.11.1.1718 (slide), inside Port Phillip Heads, VIC [38°07'S 144°48'E].

  Secondary source:

   Burton, M. 1963. A Revision of the Classification of the Calcareous Sponges. London : British Museum pp. 1-693 figs 1-375. [593]; Ayling, A.L., Stone, S. & Smith, B.J. 1982. Catalogue of types of sponge species from Southern Australia described by Arthur Dendy. Reports of the National Museum of Victoria 1: 97-109 [105].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Burton, M. 1963. A Revision of the Classification of the Calcareous Sponges. London : British Museum pp. 1-693 figs 1-375. [230]

Generic Combinations

• Leucosolenia ventricosa (Carter, 1886). —
  Dendy, A. & Row, R.W.H. 1913. The classification and phylogeny of the calcareous sponges, with a reference list of all the described species, systematically arranged. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1913: 704-813 [724]
• Ascandra ventricosa (Carter, 1886). —
  Breitfuss, L.L. 1898. Catalog der Calcarea der Zoologischen Sammlung des Königlichen Museums für Naturkunde zu Berlin. Archiv für Naturgeschichte 63: 205-226 2 figs [215]
• Leucosolenia ventricosa (Carter, 1886). —
  Dendy, A. 1891. A monograph of the Victorian sponges. Part 1. The organisation and classification of the Calcarea Homocoela, with descriptions of the Victorian species. Transactions of the Royal Society of Victoria 3: 1-81 pls 1-11 [60]
• Ascoleucetta ventricosa (Carter, 1886). —
  Cavalcanti, F.F., Rapp, H.T. & Klautau, M. 2013. Taxonomic revision of Leucascus Dendy, 1892 (Porifera: Calcarea) with revalidation of Ascoleucetta Dendy & Frederick, 1924 and description of three new species. Zootaxa 3619(3): 275–314 [303]
• Ascaltis ventricosa (Carter, 1886). —
  Borojevic, R. 1968. Eponges calcaires des côtes de France. IV. Le genre Ascaltis Haeckel emend. Archives de Zoologie Expérimentale et Générale 109: 193-210 [205]
• Leucascus ventricosus (Carter, 1886). —
  Klautau, M. & Valentine, C. 2003. Revision of the genus Clathrina (Porifera, Calcarea). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 139: 1–62 [3]

Distribution

States

Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Port Phillip Heads, Westernport Bay, and 'off Tasmania'.

IMCRA

Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Southeast Shelf Transition (37)

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

History of changes

• Leucascus Dendy, A. 1893. Synopsis of the Australian Calcarea Heterocoela, with a proposed classification of the group and descriptions of some new genera and species. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria ns 5: 69-116 [72].

  Type species:

   Leucascus simplex Dendy, 1893 by subsequent designation, see Dendy, A. & Row, R.W.H. 1913. The classification and phylogeny of the calcareous sponges, with a reference list of all the described species, systematically arranged. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1913: 704-813 [731].

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Indian Ocean and New Zealand.

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Central Western Transition (5)

Distribution References

Diagnosis

Leucascidae with copiously branched and anastomosed choanocyte tubes. The exhalant aquiferous system is represented by a well-developed atrium delimited by a wall with no choanoderm, supported by a specific skeleton.

ID Keys

See Order Clathrinida Diagnosis

Diagnosis References

Borojevic, R., Boury-Esnault, N., Manuel, M. & Vacelet, J. 2002. Order Clathrinida Hartman, 1958. pp. 1141-1152 in Hooper, J.N.A. & Soest, R.W.M. Van (eds). Systema Porifera. A guide to the classification of sponges. New York : Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers Vol. 2. [1150]

General References

Cavalcanti, F.F., Rapp, H.T. & Klautau, M. 2013. Taxonomic revision of Leucascus Dendy, 1892 (Porifera: Calcarea) with revalidation of Ascoleucetta Dendy & Frederick, 1924 and description of three new species. Zootaxa 3619(3): 275–314

History of changes

• Leucascus clavatus Dendy, A. 1893. Synopsis of the Australian Calcarea Heterocoela, with a proposed classification of the group and descriptions of some new genera and species. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria ns 5: 69-116 [78].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1893.6.9.2 (=NMV G2333 possibly, fragment of type with slides), Port Phillip Heads, VIC [38°07'S 144°48'E].
  Paratype(s) BMNH 11924.2.6.53 (?slide to NMV G2333); NMV G2334, RN241 slide (BMNH 1925.11.1.1728); BMNH 1925.11.1.1727 (RN240, slide of possible second paratype).

  Secondary source:

   Burton, M. 1963. A Revision of the Classification of the Calcareous Sponges. London : British Museum pp. 1-693 figs 1-375. [594]; Ayling, A.L., Stone, S. & Smith, B.J. 1982. Catalogue of types of sponge species from Southern Australia described by Arthur Dendy. Reports of the National Museum of Victoria 1: 97-109 [102].

Distribution

States

Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Macquarie Is.; Port Phillip Heads, Geraldton, and also New Zealand.

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5)

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Shallow water.

General References

Cavalcanti, F.F., Rapp, H.T. & Klautau, M. 2013. Taxonomic revision of Leucascus Dendy, 1892 (Porifera: Calcarea) with revalidation of Ascoleucetta Dendy & Frederick, 1924 and description of three new species. Zootaxa 3619(3): 275–314

History of changes

• Leucetta insignis Row, R.W.H. & Hôzawa, S. 1931. Report on the Calcarea obtained by the Hamburg South-West Australian Expedition of 1905. Science Reports of the Tôhoku University 4 6: 727-809 17 figs pls 19-21 [744].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1925.11.1.41, Geraldton district, WA [28°46'S 114°36'E].

  Secondary source:

   Burton, M. 1963. A Revision of the Classification of the Calcareous Sponges. London : British Museum pp. 1-693 figs 1-375. [595].

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5)

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

General References

Dendy, A. & Row, R.W.H. 1913. The classification and phylogeny of the calcareous sponges, with a reference list of all the described species, systematically arranged. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1913: 704-813

History of changes

• Leucascus neocaledonicus Borojevic, R. & Klautau, M. 2000. Calcareous sponges from New Caledonia. Zoosystematica Rossica 22(2): 187-201.

  Type data:

   Holotype MNHP MNHN-LBIM-C-1999-02 & UFRJPOR 5033 two fragments of same specimen, Canal Woodin, station 1376, New Caledonia.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

New Caledonia

IMCRA

Northeast Shelf Province (40)

History of changes

• Ascetta primordialis protogenes Haeckel, E. 1872. Die Kalkschwämme. Eine Monographie in zwei Bänden Text und einem Atlas mit 60 Tafeln Abbildungen. Berlin : Georg Reimer Vol. 1 pp. 1-396; Vol. 2 pp. 1-418; Vol. 3, pls 1-30. [part translated in Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (4)11: 241–262, 421–430] [17].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s).

Generic Combinations

• Leucascus protogenes (Haeckel, 1872).

Introduction

Previously noted as "nom. nud. as Ascetta primordialis var. protogenes, as Leucosolenia protogenes (Haeckel, 1872) [was] interpreted as an objective synonym of Leucosolenia primordialis", however this is recognised by Cavalcanti et al. (2013) as a valid species.

Distribution

IMCRA

Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)

General References

Cavalcanti, F.F., Rapp, H.T. & Klautau, M. 2013. Taxonomic revision of Leucascus Dendy, 1892 (Porifera: Calcarea) with revalidation of Ascoleucetta Dendy & Frederick, 1924 and description of three new species. Zootaxa 3619(3): 275–314

History of changes

• Leucascus simplex Dendy, A. 1893. Synopsis of the Australian Calcarea Heterocoela, with a proposed classification of the group and descriptions of some new genera and species. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria ns 5: 69-116 [77].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) NMV G2415, inside Port Phillip heads, VIC; Watson's Bay, Port Jackson, NSW [38°07'S 144°48'E]; NMV G2416 portion, Port Phillip? [38°07'S 144°48'E]; NMV G2418 (slide BMNH 1925.11.1.1730), Port Jackson [33°51'S 151°15'E]; NMV G2419 (with fragment of type in NMNZ and slide BMNH 1925.11.1.1731), Port Phillip [38°07'S 144°48'E]; BMNH 1925.11.1.34 (Port Phillip with slides BMNH 1925.11.1.34a and NMV G2417); BMNH 1924.2.6.55 (no locality no reference to specimen, slide; BMNH 1887.7.12.7 (slide, possibly examined by Dendy: 'South Coast, J.B. Wilson Coll.', ex Carter?)).

  Type locality references:

  Wilson, J. Bracebridge 1895. List of dredging stations at and near Port Phillip Heads. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria ns 7: 261-263 [stations 1, 5].

  Secondary source:

   Fell, H.B. 1950. The Kirk Collection of sponges (Porifera) in the Zoology Museum, Victoria University College. Zoological Publications of Victoria University College 4: 1-12 1 pl. [5]; Burton, M. 1963. A Revision of the Classification of the Calcareous Sponges. London : British Museum pp. 1-693 figs 1-375. [594]; Ayling, A.L., Stone, S. & Smith, B.J. 1982. Catalogue of types of sponge species from Southern Australia described by Arthur Dendy. Reports of the National Museum of Victoria 1: 97-109 [105].

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Port Phillip Heads, Watson's Bay, Port Jackson, Shark Bay, Geraldton, Fremantle, Bunbury, also New Zealand and Indian Ocean.

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5)

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth shallow water–140 m.

General References

Cavalcanti, F.F., Rapp, H.T. & Klautau, M. 2013. Taxonomic revision of Leucascus Dendy, 1892 (Porifera: Calcarea) with revalidation of Ascoleucetta Dendy & Frederick, 1924 and description of three new species. Zootaxa 3619(3): 275–314

History of changes