Introduction

Sponges in the family Leucettidae de Laubenfels, 1936 have solitary, cup-shaped, pear-shaped, stalked and subspherical growth forms, or they are encrusting, massive and lobate. The ectosomal cortex is generally weak, although developed to a greater or lesser extent in some species, and triradiate (Hooper & Wiedenmayer 1994: fig. 147) and quadriradiate spicules (Hooper & Wiedenmayer 1994: fig. 158) are scattered throughout the choanosome, forming three-dimensional polyhedral patterns. Choanocyte chambers are always spherical (or subspherical), and scattered within the choanosome (Hartman 1982).

The abbreviated diagnosis of the family given by Borojevic et al. (1990) includes sponges with a solid body; aquiferous system always leuconoid; choanosomal skeleton well developed and in the form of a regular network of triradiates and/or quadriradiates; and cortex thin and composed of spicules similar to those in the choanosomal skeleton.

The family includes two genera and one incertae sedis (Leucomalthe), with wide distributions in the world's seas. Two are represented in the Australian fauna. They are found in littoral habitats and to depths of at least 220 m (Hartman 1982).

The family is reviewed in Borojevic (1968; as 'fam. n.', in Calcinea with included genera: Leucetta sensu novo and Pericharax), Hartman (1982) and Borojevic et al. (1990).

Database Notes

2004

Now 3 genera instead of 2 (added Leucomalthe)

Diagnosis

Clathrinida with a solid body. The aquiferous system is always leuconoid. The choanoskeleton is well developed, in the form of a regular network composed of triactines and/or tetractines. The cortex is thin and composed of spicules similar to those of the choanoskeleton.

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. [1151]

General References

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. & 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

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.

History of changes

• Leucetta 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] [116] [Sycothamnus Haeckel, 1869 may be a synonym of Leucetta Haeckel, 1872].

  Type species:

   Leucetta (Leucettaga) primigenia Haeckel, 1872 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 [732].
• Leucettaga 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] [117].

  Type species:

   Leucetta pandora loculifera Haeckel, 1872 (as variety) 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 [777].
• Teichonella Carter, H.J. 1878. On Teichonia, a new family of calcareous sponges, with descriptions of two species. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 5 2: 35-40 pl. 2 [35].

  Type species:

   Teichonella prolifera Carter, 1878 by subsequent designation, see Dendy, A. 1891. Studies on the comparative anatomy of sponges. III. On the anatomy of Grantia labyrinthica Carter, and the so-called family Teichonidae. Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science 2 32: 1-40 pls 1-4 [33].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Wiedenmayer, F. in 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] [487]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Indian Ocean, Indo-Malayan region, amphi-Pacific, Japan, amphi-Atlantic, S Africa, Red Sea, Subantarctic, Antarctic and Mediterranean Sea.

IMCRA

Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), 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 Transition (39), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Central Western Transition (5)

Distribution References

Diagnosis

Leucettidae with a homogeneous organisation of the wall and a typical leuconoid aquiferous system. There is neither a clear distinction between the cortex and the choanoskeleton, nor the presence of a distinct layer of subcortical inhalant cavities. The atrium is frequently reduced to a system of exhalant canals that open directly into the osculum.

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. [1151]

History of changes

• Leucetta antarctica Dendy, A. 1918. Calcareous sponges. Scientific Reports of the Australasian Antarctic Research Expedition 1911-1914 C 6: 17 pp. 1 pl. [8].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1920.12.9.100 (slide), 200 m, off Queen Mary Coast Aust., Antarctic Terr. [64°32´S 97°20´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].

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 200 m.

History of changes

• Leucetta isoraphis apicalis Brøndsted, H.V. 1931. Die Kalkschwämme der Deutschen Südpolar-Expedition 1901–1903. pp. 1–47 in Drygalski, E. von (ed.) Deutsche Südpolar-Expedition 1901–1903 20 (Zool. 12). [21].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) ZMB 8602–8610 4 slides, 350–385 m, off Wilhelm II Coast, Aust. Antarctic Terr. [66°2´9˜S 89°38´E].

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

History of changes

• Leucetta chagosensis Dendy, A. 1913. Report on the calcareous sponges collected by H.M.S. Sealark in the Indian Ocean. In Reports of the Percy Sladen Trust Expedition to the Indian Ocean in 1905. Vol. 5. Transactions of the Linnean Society of London 2nd Series Zoology 16: 1-29 pls 1-5 [10].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1920.12.9.51, Diego Garcia, Indian Ocean [7°28'48"S 72°20'09"E].
  Paratype(s) BMNH 1925.11.1.1122 (2 parts); BMNH 1925.11.1.1121 (slide only); BMNH 1925.11.1.44.

  Secondary source:

   Burton, M. 1963. A Revision of the Classification of the Calcareous Sponges. London : British Museum pp. 1-693 figs 1-375. [594].
• Leucetta infrequens 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 [747].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) (ZMH?), Fremantle district, WA [32°03'S 115°46'E].

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. [241]

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia

IMCRA

Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Central Western Transition (5)

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Shallow water.

General References

Gross, H., Kehraus, S., König, G.M., Wörheide, G. & Wright, A.D. 2002. New and biologically active Imidazole alkaloids from two sponges of the genus Leucetta. Journal of Natural Products 65(8): 1190-1193 [1191]

Van Oppen, M.J.H., Wörheide, G. & Takabayashi, M. 2002. Nuclear markers in evolutionary and population genetic studies of scleractinian corals and sponges. Proceedings of the 9th International Coral Reef Symposium, Bali 1: 131-138 [134]

Woerheide, G., Hooper, J.N.A. & Degnan, B.M. 2002. Phylogeography of western Pacific Leucetta 'chagosensis' (Porifera: Calcarea) from ribosomal DNA sequences: implications for population history and conservation of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (Australia). Molecular Ecology 11: 1-16? [1]

Wöerheide, G. & Hooper, J.N.A. 1999. Calcarea from the Great Barrier Reef 1: Cryptic Calcinea from Heron Island and Wistari Reef (Capricorn-Bunker Group). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 43(2): 859-892 [880] (Mentioned in this article)

Woerheide, G. & Hooper, J.N.A. 2002. Calcareous sponges (Porifera: Calcarea) provide clues for the conservation biology of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Biologue (Australian Biological Resources Study) April 2002: 10-11 [10]

Wörheide, G., Epp, L.S. & Macis, L. 2008. Deep genetic divergences among Indo-Pacific populations of the coral reef sponge Leucetta chagosensis (Leucettidae): Founder effects, vicariance, or both? BMC Evolutionary Biology 8(24): doi:10.1186/1471-2148-8-24 (http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/8/24 (accessed on 2012-01-01)

WÖRHEIDE, G., HOOPER, J.N.A. & DEGNAN, B.M. 2002. Phylogeography of western Pacific Leucetta 'chagosensis' (Porifera: Calcarea) from ribosomal DNA sequences: implications for population history and conservation of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (Australia). Molecular Ecology 11: 1753–1768 [1753]

History of changes

• Leucetta foliata Leocorny, P., Alencar, A., Fromont, J. & Klautau, M. 2016. New Leucettidae de Laubenfels, 1936 (Porifera, Calcarea) from Western Australia. Zootaxa 4175(4): 319–334 [322].

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM Z40351, Margaria Reef, Cervantes, WA [30º33.37’S, 115º04.08’E].
  Paratype(s) WAM Z45623, Middle Island, Recherche Archipelago, WA [34º03’00”S, 122º38’00”E].

Distribution

States

Western Australia

IMCRA

Southwest Shelf Province (31)

History of changes

• Leucandra primigenia leptoraphis Jenkin, C.F. 1908. Porifera. III. Calcarea. pp. 1-52 pls 27-38 in, National Antarctic Expedition 1901-1904. Natural History. London : British Museum. [14].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1907.8.6.65, off Ross Is., New Zealand Antarctic Terr. [77°49´S 167°7´4˜E].

  Secondary source:

   Burton, M. 1963. A Revision of the Classification of the Calcareous Sponges. London : British Museum pp. 1-693 figs 1-375. [596].

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Aust. Antarctic Terr.

Known only from type locality.

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Shallow water–450 m.

History of changes

• Leucetta primigenia megaraphis 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] [119] [as Leucetta primigenia var. megaraphis].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, BMNH 1886.6.7.41 (Lendenfels's specimen, probably from Haeckel, status uncorroborated), Broughton Is., QLD [20°07'S 146°26'E].

Distribution

States

Queensland

IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth shallow water–80 m.

History of changes

• Leucetta primigenia microraphis 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] [118] [as Leucetta microraphis and Leucetta primigenia var. microraphis; no clear segregation of surviving type material and type localities from varieties microraphis, isoraphis and megaraphis].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) PMJ Porif.106 ('Leucetta microraphis L. primigenia var.)/Mare Rubrum/Frauenfeld' (NMV photos 56/26–29), Red Sea; possibly also Gulf St Vincent, SA; Bass Strait; Messina; Morocco; Mogador; Cape of Good Hope; St Thomas, Cuba; Valparaiso; Fiji; Java; Sri Lanka [22°32'56"N 37°06'43"E]; Porif.133 'L. primigeniaGulf of St. Vincent, Australia, Schomburck' E.H ms (NMV photos 56/40–45); PMJ Porif.135.
• Leuconia dura Poléjaeff, N. 1884. Report on the Calcarea dredged by H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873–1876. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger 1873–1876, Zoology 8: 1-76 pls 1-9 [65].

  Type data:

   Lectotype BMNH 1884.4.22.55, 14 m, Torres Strait [10°25'S 142°10'E].
  Paralectotype(s) BMNH 1884.4.22.51; BMNH 1884.4.22.52, Bermudas [32°09'50"N 64°52'55"W]; BMNH 1884.4.22.53, Bermudas [32°09'50"N 64°52'55"W]; BMNH 1884.4.22.54, Bermudas [32°09'50"N 64°52'55"W].
• Pericharax carteri homoraphis Poléjaeff, N. 1884. Report on the Calcarea dredged by H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873–1876. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger 1873–1876, Zoology 8: 1-76 pls 1-9 [66].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1884.4.22.58 fragment, 100 m, Tristan da Cunha, South Atlantic [37°19'08"S 12°05'09"W].
  Paratype(s) ZMB fragment of type.

  Secondary source:

   Burton, M. 1963. A Revision of the Classification of the Calcareous Sponges. London : British Museum pp. 1-693 figs 1-375. [595].
• Leucaltis floridana australiensis Carter, H.J. 1886. Description of sponges from the neighbourhood of Port Phillip Heads, South Australia. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 5 18: 126-149 [145].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) BMNH 1886.12.15.3, Port Phillip Heads, VIC [38°07'S 144°48'E]; BMNH 1886.12.15.4, Port Phillip Heads, VIC [38°07'S 144°48'E]; BMNH 1886.12.15.5, Port Phillip Heads, VIC [38°07'S 144°48'E]; BMNH 1886.12.15.6, Port Phillip Heads, VIC [38°07'S 144°48'E]; BMNH 1887.7.12.25, Port Phillip Heads, VIC [38°07'S 144°48'E]; BMNH 1887.7.12.79, 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. [594].
• Leucandra carteri 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 [103] [nom. nov. for Leucaltis floridana australiensis Carter due to secondary homonymy].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s).

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Borojevic, R. 1967. Eponges calcaires recueillies en Nouvelle-Calédonie par la Mission Singer-Polignac. In, Expéd. Franç. Récifs Coral. Nouv. Caléd Paris : Fond. Singer-Polignac. Vol. 2. 11 pp. 4 figs [3]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia

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), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Central Western Transition (5)

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

General References

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 [257]

Hooper, J.N.A. & Kennedy, J.A. 2002. Small-scale patterns of sponge biodiversity (Porifera) on Sunshine Coast reefs, eastern Australia. Invertebrate Systematics 16(4): 637-653 [640] (Listed in this article)

Kehraus, S., König, G.M., Wright, A.D. & Wörheide, G. 2002. Leucamide A: a new cytotoxic Heptapeptide from the Australian sponge Leucetta microraphis. Journal of Organic Chemistry 67(14): 4989-4992 [4989]

Nevalainen, T.J., Quinn, R.J. & Hooper, J.N.A. 2004. Phospholipase A2 in Porifera. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 137(B): 413-420 [415] (Listed in this article)

Van Oppen, M.J.H., Wörheide, G. & Takabayashi, M. 2002. Nuclear markers in evolutionary and population genetic studies of scleractinian corals and sponges. Proceedings of the 9th International Coral Reef Symposium, Bali 1: 131-138 [134]

Woerheide, G. & Hooper, J.N.A. 2003. New species of Calcaronea (Porifera: Calcarea) from cryptic habitats of the southern Great Barrier Reef (Heron Island and Wistari Reef, Capricorn-Bunker Group, Australia). Journal of Natural History 37: 1-47 [879] (Mentioned in this article)

History of changes

• Leucetta primigenia 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] [118] [as Leucetta primigenia var. isoraphis nominate subspecies by subsequent restriction in 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; no clear segregation of surviving type material and type localities from var. microraphis and megaraphis is possible].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) PMJ Porif.133 (Gulf St Vincent, NMV photos 56/40–45), possibly Gulf St Vincent, SA; Bass Strait; Messina; Morocco; Mogador; Cape of Good Hope; St Thomas, Cuba; Valparaiso; Fiji; Java; Sri Lanka [?, 39°20'S 145°30'E, 22°20'38"S 30°02'31"E, 33°06'39"N 5°07'26"W, 17°09'03"S]; Porif.135, possibly Gulf St Vincent, SA; Bass Strait; Messina; Morocco; Mogador; Cape of Good Hope; St Thomas, Cuba; Valparaiso; Fiji; Java; Sri Lanka [?, 39°20'S 145°30'E, 22°20'38"S 30°02'31"E, 33°06'39"N 5°07'26"W, 17°09'03"S].
• Leucetta primigenia isoraphis 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] [118] [considered nominate subspecies of Leucetta primigenia by 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].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) PMJ Porif.135 (NMV photo 56/40–45 limited coordinates fit the space — coords given are for Bass Strait, Messina and Morocca), possibly Gulf St Vincent, SA; Bass Strait; Messina; Morocco; Mogador; Cape of Good Hope; St Thomas, Cuba; Valparaiso; Fiji; Java; Sri Lanka [39°20'S 145°30'E, 22°20'38"S 30°02'31"E, 33°06'39]; PMJ Porif.135 (limited coordinates fit the space — coords given are for Bass Strait, Messina and Morocca), possibly Gulf St Vincent, SA; Bass Strait; Messina; Morocco; Mogador; Cape of Good Hope; St Thomas, Cuba; Valparaiso; Fiji; Java; Sri Lanka [39°20'S 145°30'E, 22°20'38"S 30°02'31"E, 33°06'39"N 5°07'26"W].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Hooper, J.N.A. in 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] [489] (rejects synonymy of this species with Sycothamnus fruticosus Haeckel, 1869 by Burton, M. 1963. A Revision of the Classification of the Calcareous Sponges. London : British Museum pp. 1–693 figs 1–375. [186])
• Wiedenmayer, F. in 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] [489]

Distribution

States

New South Wales

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 3–385 m.

General References

Hooper, J.N.A. in 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] (conspecificity of many of the populations is speculative)

History of changes

• Teichonella prolifera Carter, H.J. 1878. On Teichonia, a new family of calcareous sponges, with descriptions of two species. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 5 2: 35-40 pl. 2 [35].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1846.8.19.101, Fremantle, WA [32°03'S 115°46'E].
  Paratype(s) BMNH 1955.11.2.95.

  Secondary source:

   Carter, H.J. 1878. On Teichonia, a new family of calcareous sponges, with descriptions of two species. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 5 2: 35-40 pl. 2 [37]; Burton, M. 1963. A Revision of the Classification of the Calcareous Sponges. London : British Museum pp. 1-693 figs 1-375. [596].

Distribution

States

Victoria, Western Australia

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Province (31), 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.

History of changes

• Leucetta purpurea Leocorny, P., Alencar, A., Fromont, J. & Klautau, M. 2016. New Leucettidae de Laubenfels, 1936 (Porifera, Calcarea) from Western Australia. Zootaxa 4175(4): 319–334 [324].

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM Z31426, Escape Island, Jurien Bay, WA [30º20.36’S, 114º58.81’E].

Distribution

States

Western Australia

IMCRA

Southwest Shelf Transition (30)

History of changes

• Leucetta villosa Wöerheide, G. & Hooper, J.N.A. 1999. Calcarea from the Great Barrier Reef 1: Cryptic Calcinea from Heron Island and Wistari Reef (Capricorn-Bunker Group). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 43(2): 859-892 [883].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM G 313662 (coral patches, small crevices and overhangs under coral bommies), S side of Wistari Reef, GBR [23°29.4'S 151°52.8'E].

Distribution

States

Queensland

IMCRA

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

Ecological Descriptors

Aquatic, coral reef, filter-feeder.

History of changes

• Pericharax Poléjaeff, N. 1884. Report on the Keratosa collected by H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873–1876. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger 1873–1876, Zoology 11: 1-88 pls 1-10 [29].

  Type species:

   Pericharax heteroraphis Poléjaeff, 1884 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 [735].

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Indian Ocean, Indo-Malayan region, Subantarctic, S Atlantic and West Indies.

IMCRA

Southwest Shelf Province (31), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

Diagnosis

Leucettidae with a large central atrium surrounded by a thick wall. The wall is divided into a choanoderm and a thin subcortical layer of inhalant cavities supported by a peculiar skeleton partially composed of centripetal actines of the special cortical triactines.

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. [1151]

History of changes

• Pericharax crypta Leocorny, P., Alencar, A., Fromont, J. & Klautau, M. 2016. New Leucettidae de Laubenfels, 1936 (Porifera, Calcarea) from Western Australia. Zootaxa 4175(4): 319–334 [326].

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM Z49226, Geographe Bay, Western Australia [33º30.72’S, 115º02.46’E to 33º30.71’S, 115º02.15’E].

Distribution

States

Western Australia

IMCRA

Southwest Shelf Province (31)

History of changes

• Pericharax carteri heteroraphis Poléjaeff, N. 1884. Report on the Calcarea dredged by H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873–1876. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger 1873–1876, Zoology 8: 1-76 pls 1-9 [66].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1884.4.22.56 (part), 100 m, Tristan da Cunha, S Atlantic [37°19'08"S 12°05'09"W].
  Paratype(s) MONZ slide; ZMB fragment of type.

  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. [10]; Burton, M. 1963. A Revision of the Classification of the Calcareous Sponges. London : British Museum pp. 1-693 figs 1-375. [597].
• Pericharax peziza Dendy, A. 1913. Report on the calcareous sponges collected by H.M.S. Sealark in the Indian Ocean. In Reports of the Percy Sladen Trust Expedition to the Indian Ocean in 1905. Vol. 5. Transactions of the Linnean Society of London 2nd Series Zoology 16: 1-29 pls 1-5 [15].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1920.12.9.53 wet, 20 m, Cargados Carajos, Indian Ocean [16°33'39"S 59°45'00"E].

  Secondary source:

   Burton, M. 1963. A Revision of the Classification of the Calcareous Sponges. London : British Museum pp. 1-693 figs 1-375. [597].
• Pericharax pyriformis Burton, M. 1932. Sponges. Discovery Reports 6: 237-392 56 figs pls 48-57 [258].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1928.2.15.36, 177 m, Shag Rocks, Subantarctic [53°30'32"S 42°11'41"W].
  Paratype(s) BMNH 1928.2.15.37.

  Secondary source:

   Burton, M. 1963. A Revision of the Classification of the Calcareous Sponges. London : British Museum pp. 1-693 figs 1-375. [597].

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. [260]

Distribution

States

Queensland

IMCRA

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

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 16–177 m.

General References

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 [257]

Nevalainen, T.J., Quinn, R.J. & Hooper, J.N.A. 2004. Phospholipase A2 in Porifera. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 137(B): 413-420 [415] (Listed in this article)

Thiel, V., Blumenberg, M., Hefter, J., Pape, T., Pomponi, S.A., Reed, J., Reitner, J., Wörheide, G. & Michaelis, W. 2002. A chemical view on the most ancestral metazoa - biomarker chemotaxonomy of hexactinellid sponges. Naturwissenschaften 89: 60-66 [61]

Van Oppen, M.J.H., Wörheide, G. & Takabayashi, M. 2002. Nuclear markers in evolutionary and population genetic studies of scleractinian corals and sponges. Proceedings of the 9th International Coral Reef Symposium, Bali 1: 131-138 [134]

Wilkinson, C.R., Summons, R. & Evans, E. 1999. Nitrogen fixation in symbiotic marine sponges: ecological significance and difficulties in detection. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 44: 667-674 [669] (Listed in this article)

Wöerheide, G. & Hooper, J.N.A. 1999. Calcarea from the Great Barrier Reef 1: Cryptic Calcinea from Heron Island and Wistari Reef (Capricorn-Bunker Group). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 43(2): 859-892 [886] (Listed in this article)

History of changes

• Pericharax vallii Leocorny, P., Alencar, A., Fromont, J. & Klautau, M. 2016. New Leucettidae de Laubenfels, 1936 (Porifera, Calcarea) from Western Australia. Zootaxa 4175(4): 319–334 [328].

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM Z45632, Twin Peak, Recherche Archipelago, WA [34º03’00”S, 122º38’00”E].
  Paratype(s) WAM Z40489, Jack Reef, Dongara, WA [29º18.85”S, 114º54.07”E].

Distribution

States

Western Australia

IMCRA

Southwest Shelf Province (31)

History of changes

• Rowella Lopes, M.V. & Klautau, M. 2023. Phylogeny and revision of Leucaltis and Leucettusa (Porifera: Calcarea), with new classification proposals and description of a new type of aquiferous system. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 198(3): 691–746.
  Zoobank Registration Number:https://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:5163DADD-AD0B-47B9- A595-369DACFA329C

  Type species:

   Leucettusa simplicissima Burton, 1932 by original designation, see Lopes, M.V. & Klautau, M. 2023. Phylogeny and revision of Leucaltis and Leucettusa (Porifera: Calcarea), with new classification proposals and description of a new type of aquiferous system. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 198(3): 691–746.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania, Western Australia

IMCRA

Southwest Shelf Province (31), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)

History of changes

• Leucettusa dictyogaster 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.

  Type data:

   Holotype CSTIU BC (Specimen possibly lost), Koombana Bay, Bunbury, Western Australia [22°29ʹS, 113°57ʹE].

Generic Combinations

• Rowella dictyogaster (Row & Hôzawa, 1931). —
  Lopes, M.V. & Klautau, M. 2023. Phylogeny and revision of Leucaltis and Leucettusa (Porifera: Calcarea), with new classification proposals and description of a new type of aquiferous system. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 198(3): 691–746

Distribution

States

Western Australia

IMCRA

Southwest Shelf Province (31)

History of changes

• Leucetta haeckeliana Poléjaeff, N. 1884. Report on the Calcarea dredged by H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873–1876. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger 1873–1876, Zoology 8: 1-76 pls 1-9.

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) BMNH 1884.22.62–1884.22.64 Three syntypes, Off Sydney, New South Wales, Australia [33°51ʹS, 151°15ʹE].

Generic Combinations

• Leucettusa haeckeliana (Poléjaeff, 1883). —
  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
• Rowella haeckeliana (Poléjaeff, 1883). —
  Lopes, M.V. & Klautau, M. 2023. Phylogeny and revision of Leucaltis and Leucettusa (Porifera: Calcarea), with new classification proposals and description of a new type of aquiferous system. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 198(3): 691–746

Introduction

Reported as Leucettusa sp. 1 from Ling Hole, Tasmania by Voigt et al. (2012).

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania

IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)

General References

Voigt, O., Wülfing, E. & Wörheide, G. 2012. Molecular phylogenetic evaluation of classification and scenarios of character evolution in calcareous sponges (Porifera, Class Calcarea). PLoS ONE (Public Library of Science) 7(3): e33417

History of changes

• Leucetta imperfecta Poléjaeff, N. 1884. Report on the Calcarea dredged by H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873–1876. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger 1873–1876, Zoology 8: 1-76 pls 1-9.

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1884.4.22.59, Off Sydney, New South Wales, Australia [33°51ʹS, 151°15ʹE].

Generic Combinations

• Rowella imperfecta (Poléjaeff, 1883). —
  Lopes, M.V. & Klautau, M. 2023. Phylogeny and revision of Leucaltis and Leucettusa (Porifera: Calcarea), with new classification proposals and description of a new type of aquiferous system. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 198(3): 691–746
• Leucettusa imperfecta (Poléjaeff, 1883). —
  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

Introduction

Reported as Leucettusa sp. 2 from Ling Hole, King Island Canyons and Seamounts in Tasmania by Voigt et al. (2012).

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania

IMCRA

Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)

General References

Voigt, O., Wülfing, E. & Wörheide, G. 2012. Molecular phylogenetic evaluation of classification and scenarios of character evolution in calcareous sponges (Porifera, Class Calcarea). PLoS ONE (Public Library of Science) 7(3): e33417

History of changes