Family MINCHINELLIDAE Dendy & Row, 1913

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Introduction

The family has the basal skeleton formed by a network of tetractines cemented or linked together. Five extant genera are currently recognised (Minchinella Kirkpatrick, Monoplectroninia Pouliquen & Vacelet, Plectroninia Hinde, Petrostroma Döderlein and Tulearinia Vacelet), although the latter one has rather uncertain affinities, and five fossil genera are also known. A recent review of the extant genera was undertaken by Vacelet et al. (2002).

Diagnosis

The basal skeleton is made by the attachment or cementation of the basal actines of tetractines, which are linked by the zygosis of their irregularly curved or expanded ends. The linkage may be a complex zygosis, often reinforced by a calcareous cement of variable development which can completely embed the whole network, or may consist in a simple entanglement. The superficial skeleton consists of free spicules, mostly tangentially disposed in the dermal membrane, generally including diapasons.

ID Keys

See Order Lithonida diagnosis

Diagnosis References

Vacelet, J., Borojevic, R., Boury-Esnault, N. & Manuel, M. 2002. Order Lithonida Vacelet, 1981, Recent. pp. 1185-1192 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. [1186]

General References

Vacelet, J., Borojevic, R., Boury-Esnault, N. & Manuel, M. 2002. Order Lithonida Vacelet, 1981, Recent. pp. 1185-1192 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. (1186)

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