Introduction

Leucosoleniidae Minchin, 1900 are all asconoid sponges. Their growth form is erect, with long, clustered oscular tubes arising as distinct individuals from the stolon-like system of basal tubes. Tubes may have diverticula and are also often arborescent (Hooper & Wiedenmayer 1994: fig. 146). Monaxon spicules (Hooper & Wiedenmayer 1994: figs 164–174) are always present; triradiates, if present, are typically bilateral, sagittal, inequiangular in form, with two of the rays forming a pair, while the third differs in some way, and never with the crystalline optic axis vertical, but always inclined to the facial plane of the rays (Hooper & Wiedenmayer 1994: figs 149, 150, 154, 155). Collar-cells have a flagellum arising directly from the pear-shaped nucleus, which is situated at or near the apex of the cell. Choanocytes line the central cavity (spongocoele) of the tubes that compose the sponges. There is a continuous choanoderm lining the internal cavity of the sponge, but there is no common cortex. Larvae are amphiblastulae.

This family has three established genera, all known from Australia, but one of these, Ascyssa, which has monaxonid spicules only, has not been collected again and remains a species inquirenda. Other species have wide geographic distributions, ranging from intertidal habitats to depths of at least 2400 m (Hartman 1982).

The family is reviewed in Bidder (1898, as Calcaronea, Leucosolenia and Ascyssa included); Minchin (1900, Leucosolenia and Ascyssa included); Minchin (1909), Dendy & Row (1913, merged in Homocoelidae with Clathrinidae); Hartman (1958, in Leucosoleniida, Leucosolenia and Ascyssa included), Borojevic (1968, Leucosolenia, Ascyssa and Ascute included); and Hartman (1982).

Diagnosis

Leucosolenida with a cormus composed of frequently branched, but rarely anastomosed, asconoid tubes, and with a continuous choanoderm that lines all the internal cavities of the sponge. There is neither a common cortex covering the cormus, nor a delimited inhalant or exhalant aquiferous system.

ID Keys

See order Leucosolenida diagnosis

Diagnosis References

Borojevic, R., Boury-Esnault, N., Manuel, M. & Vacelet, J. 2002. Order Leucosolenida Hartman, 1958. pp. 1157-1184 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. [1159]

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. Systématique et évolution des éponges Calcaires. Dieuxième Thèse. Université de Paris. 33 pp.

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.

Minchin, E.A. 1900. Porifera. pp. 1-178 in Lankester, E.R. (ed.). A Treatise on Zoology. The Porifera and Coelenterata. London : Adam and Charles Black Part 2.

Minchin, E.A. 1909. The relation of the flagellum to the nucleus in the collar-cells of calcareous sponges. Zoologischer Anzeiger 35: 227-231

History of changes

• Ascute 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 [729].

  Type species:

   Leucosolenia uteoides Dendy, 1893 by original designation.

Distribution

States

Victoria

IMCRA

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

Diagnosis

Leucosoleniidae in which the skeleton can be composed of diactines, triactines and/or tetractines, with an outer layer that is supported by giant longitudinal diactines.

ID Keys

See Order Leucosolenida Diagnosis

Diagnosis References

Borojevic, R., Boury-Esnault, N., Manuel, M. & Vacelet, J. 2002. Order Leucosolenida Hartman, 1958. pp. 1157-1184 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. [1160]

History of changes

• Aphroceras asconoides 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 [134].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1887.7.12.73, Port Phillip Heads or Westernport Bay, VIC [38°07'S 144°48'E or 38°22'S 145°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. [577, 593].

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

• Leucosolenia uteoides Dendy, A. 1893. On a new species of Leucosolenia from the neighbourhood of Port Phillip Heads. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria ns 5: 178-180 [178].

  Type data:

   Holotype NMV G2466, Port Phillip Heads, VIC [38°07'S 144°48'E].
  Paratype(s) ZMB 2025; BMNH 1893.6.9.33; BMNH 1925.11.1.1724 slide; BMNH 1925.11.1.1725 slide.

  Secondary source:

   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]; 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 [107].

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

• Leucosolenia Bowerbank, J.S. 1862. On the anatomy and physiology of the Spongiadae. Part III. On the generic characters, the specific characters, and on the method of examination. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London 152: 1087-1135 pls 72-74 [1094].

  Type species:

   Spongia botryoides Ellis & Solander, 1786 by original designation.

Distribution

States

Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Arctic, E Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, S Africa, Subantarctic, Antarctic, Japan, New Zealand and, California.

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), Southern Province (8)

Distribution References

Diagnosis

Leucosoleniidae in which the skeleton can consist of diactines, triactines and/or tetractines. There is no reinforced external layer on the tubes.

ID Keys

See Order Leucosolenida Diagnosis

Diagnosis References

Borojevic, R., Boury-Esnault, N., Manuel, M. & Vacelet, J. 2002. Order Leucosolenida Hartman, 1958. pp. 1157-1184 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. [1160]

History of changes

• Leucosolenia aboralis 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). [15].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) ZMB 8545, 350–385 m, off Wilhelm II Coast, Aust. Antarctic Terr. [66°2´9˜S 89°38´E]; ZMB 8546, 350–385 m, off Wilhelm II Coast, Aust. Antarctic Terr. [66°2´9˜S 89°38´E].

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Aust. Antarctic Terr.

Known only from type locality.

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 350–385 m.

History of changes

• Leucosolenia australis 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). [15].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) ZMB 8547, 350–385 m, off Wilhelm II Coast, Aust. Antarctic Terr. (66º2´9˜S 89º38´E); Observatory Bay, Kerguelen Ils, Subantarctic [66°2´9˜S 89°38´E]; ZMB 8548, 350–385 m, off Wilhelm II Coast, Aust. Antarctic Terr. (66º2´9˜S 89º38´E); Observatory Bay, Kerguelen Ils, Subantarctic [66°2´9˜S 89°38´E]; ZMB 8549 2 slides, 350–385 m, off Wilhelm II Coast, Aust. Antarctic Terr. (66º2´9˜S 89º38´E); Observatory Bay, Kerguelen Ils, Subantarctic [66°2´9˜S 89°38´E].

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Aust. Antarctic Terr.; also Observatory Bay, Kerguelen Is., Subantarctic.

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

History of changes

• Leucosolenia discoveryi Jenkin, C.F. 1908. Porifera. III. Calcarea. pp. 1-52 pls 27-38 in, National Antarctic Expedition 1901-1904. Natural History. London : British Museum. [6].

  Type data:

   Lectotype BMNH 1907.8.6.5, off Ross Is., New Zealand Antarctic Terr. [77°49´S 167°7´4˜E].
  Paralectotype(s) BMNH 1907.8.6.6–13 25 specimens, all with slides.

  Secondary source:

   Burton, M. 1963. A Revision of the Classification of the Calcareous Sponges. London : British Museum pp. 1-693 figs 1-375. [585].

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Aust. Antarctic Terr.; Wilhelm II Coast, also New Zealand Antarctic Terr.

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

History of changes

• Leucosolenia hispida 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). [12].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) ZMB 6213 wet, 350–385 m, Wilhelm II Coast, Aust. Antarctic Terr. [66°2´9˜S 89°38´E]; ZMB 8515–8540 2 slides, 350–385 m, Wilhelm II Coast, Aust. Antarctic Terr. [66°2´9˜S 89°38´E]; ZMB 8733–8734 2 slides, 350–385 m, Wilhelm II Coast, Aust. Antarctic Terr. [66°2´9˜S 89°38´E].

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Aust. Antarctic Terr.

Known only from type locality.

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

History of changes

• Leucosolenia lucasi 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 [45].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) BMNH 1925.11.19.1 (coords for Port Phillip), outside Port Phillip Heads, VIC; Gulf St Vincent, SA [38°07'S 144°48'E]; BMNH 1891.9.19.1; BMNH 1925.11.1.1839 slide; NMV G2373 (doubtful syntype), Gulf St Vincent, SA [no coords available]; BMNH 1925.11.1.20 (doubtful syntype), Gulf St Vincent, SA [no coords available].

  Secondary source:

   Burton, M. 1963. A Revision of the Classification of the Calcareous Sponges. London : British Museum pp. 1-693 figs 1-375. [587].
• Leucosolenia echinata Kirk, H.B. 1894. Contribution to a knowledge of the New Zealand sponges. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 26: 175-179 pl. 22 [177].

  Type data:

   Lectotype MONZ, Wellington Heads, Cook Strait; Poverty Bay; Kawakawa, (near East Cape), New Zealand [42°14'S 145°14'E, 41°29'38"S 174°21'39"E, 38°44'16"S 177°56'45"E, 35°22'51"S 174°03'43"E].
  Paralectotype(s) (2 specimens); MONZ (spicule slides only, from Happy Valley and Stewart Is.).

  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. [4].

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. [166]

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), Southern Province (8)

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth shallow water–30 m.

History of changes

• Leucosolenia botryoides macquariensis Dendy, A. 1918. Calcareous sponges. Scientific Reports of the Australasian Antarctic Research Expedition 1911-1914 C 6: 17 pp. 1 pl. [5].

  Type data:

   Lectotype BMNH 1956.4.26.3, Macquarie Is. [54°37'S 158°54'E].
  Paralectotype(s) BMNH 1956.4.26.4; BMNH 1956.4.26.5; BMNH 1956.4.26.6.

  Secondary source:

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

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

History of changes

• Leucosolenia minchini Jenkin, C.F. 1908. Porifera. III. Calcarea. pp. 1-52 pls 27-38 in, National Antarctic Expedition 1901-1904. Natural History. London : British Museum. [8].

  Type data:

   Lectotype BMNH 1907.8.6.14, off Ross Is., New Zealand Antarctic Terr. [77°49´S 16°7´4˜E].
  Paralectotype(s) BMNH 1907.8.6.15–21 all with slides.

  Secondary source:

   Burton, M. 1963. A Revision of the Classification of the Calcareous Sponges. London : British Museum pp. 1-693 figs 1-375. [588].

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Aust. Antarctic Terr.; Wilhelm II Coast, also New Zealand Antarctic Terr.

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

History of changes

• Leucosolenia solida 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). [17].

  Type data:

   Holotype ZMB 8550 wet, 350–385 m, off Wilhelm II Coast, Aust. Antarctic Terr., [65°2´9˜S 89°38´E].

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Aust. Antarctic Terr.

Known only from type locality.

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 350–385 m.

History of changes