Introduction

Samidae Sollas, 1888, are assigned to Spirophorida with question, having amphitrichotriaenes, without long-shafted triaenes or oxeas.

The family is monogeneric and monospecific, although the species is reported from many different parts of the world. Its allocation is still difficult, which choices being an alliance with either Thoosidae in Hadromerida or a separate family in Spirophorida, and remains a controversy until the present. Major authors like Topsent (1928), Lévi (1973) and Wiedenmayer (1994) considered the combination of excavating habit, smallness of the amphitriaenes and their resemblance to amphiasters of Thoosa and Alectona, for example, compelling evidence for membership of Hadromerida, whereas many contemporary taxonomists attach more weight to the presence of the sigmaspires as a synapomorphy with Tetillidae. De Laubenfels (1936) assigned Samus to Homosclerophorida near Corticium, but that has found few followers. Inclusion of Samidae in Spirophorida by (Van Soest & Hooper 2002) was based on possession of sigmaspires, which are shared with Tetillidae, and based on the argument that the excavation habit is not exclusive to Hadromerida. This assignment is inconsistent amongst the Porifera in emphasising the shared possession of sigmaspires, because the family Scleritodermidae is assigned to ‘Lithistida’ in spite of its possession of sigmaspires.

Diagnosis

Small-sized excavating sponges with scanty skeletons consisting of confusedly arranged small amphitriaenes and sigmaspires. No further spicule types.

ID Keys

Only one genus recognised.

Diagnosis References

van Soest, R.W.M. & Hooper, J.N.A. 2002. Family Samidae Sollas, 1886. pp. 99-101 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. [99]

General References

van Soest, R.W.M. & Hooper, J.N.A. 2002. Family Samidae Sollas, 1886. pp. 99-101 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.

History of changes

• Samus Gray, J.E. 1867. Notes on the arrangement of sponges, with the description of some new genera. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1867: 492-558 pls 27-28 [526].

  Type species:

   Samus anonyma Gray, 1867 by monotypy.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Mediterranean Sea, West Indian region, SW Atlantic, Indian Ocean and W Pacific Ocean.

IMCRA

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

Diagnosis

See diagnosis of family.

Diagnosis References

van Soest, R.W.M. & Hooper, J.N.A. 2002. Family Samidae Sollas, 1886. pp. 99-101 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. [99]

History of changes

• Samus anonyma Gray, J.E. 1867. Notes on the arrangement of sponges, with the description of some new genera. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1867: 492-558 pls 27-28 [526] [based on Bowerbank, J.S. 1864. A Monograph of the British Spongiadae. London : Ray Society Vol. 1 290 pp. 37 pls. (pl. 2 figs 41, 42)].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH dry unregistered (Carter's No. 699), Bowerbank Collection, unknown (but thought to be Fremantle, WA) [32°03'S 115°46'E].

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Fremantle, also Carribean, SW Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean and W Pacific Ocean.

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

Mostly found in burrows, occasionally on or in other sponges; depth 2–17 m, or encrusting on rock.

History of changes