• VERONGIIDA Bergquist, 1978 [replacement name].
• VERONGIDA Bergquist, P.R. 1978. Sponges. London : Hutchinson 268 pp. 12 pls 81 figs 15 tables. [original spelling].

Diagnosis

Demospongiae where in the anastomosing skeleton the meshes are polygonal, and there is no distinction between primary ascending and secondary connecting elements. Fibres can become organised into a single plane either throughout the sponge or as lamellae near the surface; occasionally intertwined fascicles of fibres emphasise such surface specialisation. The typical fibre structure is a markedly concentric laminar bark surrounding a pith of
fine fibrillar material. Both bark and pith elements can be reduced and both can be almost lost in some genera, but traces always remain. Fibrous spicules separate from the main skeleton and composed only of bark elements can occur. The boundary between bark and pith is very marked, and the fibres on drying appear hollow. Cellular elements (degenerative spongocytes) become incorporated in the fibres in one family. Fibres rarely contain foreign detritus. Choanocyte chambers are diplodal or eurypylous and the mesohyl matrix, in which many different cell types are represented, is densely infiltrated by fibrillar collagen. A collagenous ectosome is usually differentiated and achieves a tissue-like construction with dense aggregations of spherulous cells. The texture of verongiid sponges reflects the collagenous nature of the matrix, they are homogeneous, deformable and fleshy. A very common pigmentation is sulphur yellow tinged with green; on death or damage this oxidises rapidly to dark brown, or more frequently deep purple, almost black. Some show differential surface/internal pigmentation in life. Verongiids range in form from tall tubular vases to thin spreading crusts, some degree of stalk formation is common. The mode of reproduction is oviparous; the structure of the larvae is unknown. Verongida are extremely distinct biochemically. They have no terpenes, but a lipid fraction high in sterol within which novel aplystane sterols frequently dominate. Tyrosinederived brominated compounds occur in all genera that have been studied.

ID Keys

KEY TO FAMILIES
(1) Choanocyte chambers eurypylous -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ianthellidae
Choanocyte chambers diplodal -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2

(2) Fibrous skeleton reticulate ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Aplysinidae
Fibrous skeleton dendritic -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3

(3) Bark elements absent from fibres ------------------------------------------------------------------ Pseudoceratinidae
Bark and pith elements both present in fibres --------------------------------------------------------------- Aplysinellidae

Diagnosis References

Bergquist, P.R. & Cook, S.D.C. 2002. Order Verongida Bergquist, 1978. 1081 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. [1081]

History of changes

• Ernstillidae Vacelet, J., Erpenbeck, D., Diaz, C., Ehrlich, H. & Fromont, J. 2019. New family and genus for Dendrilla-like sponges with characters of Verongiida. Part I redescription of Dendrilla lacunosa Hentschel 1912, diagnosis of the new family Ernstillidae and Ernstilla n. g. Zoologischer Anzeiger 280: 14-20.

  Type genus:

   Ernstilla Vacelet et al., 2019.

History of changes

• Ernstilla Vacelet, J., Erpenbeck, D., Diaz, C., Ehrlich, H. & Fromont, J. 2019. New family and genus for Dendrilla-like sponges with characters of Verongiida. Part I redescription of Dendrilla lacunosa Hentschel 1912, diagnosis of the new family Ernstillidae and Ernstilla n. g. Zoologischer Anzeiger 280: 14-20.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27)

History of changes

• Dendrilla lacunosa Hentschel, E. 1912. Kiesel- und Hornschwämme der Aru- und Kai Inseln. Abhandlungen der Senckenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft 34: 294-448 pls 13-21.

  Type data:

   Holotype ZMH S 2130, Aru Islands, Indonesia.

Generic Combinations

• Ernstilla lacunosa (Hentschel, 1912). —
  Vacelet, J., Erpenbeck, D., Diaz, C., Ehrlich, H. & Fromont, J. 2019. New family and genus for Dendrilla-like sponges with characters of Verongiida. Part I redescription of Dendrilla lacunosa Hentschel 1912, diagnosis of the new family Ernstillidae and Ernstilla n. g. Zoologischer Anzeiger 280: 14-20

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

From the Gulf of Carpentaria QLD, to Exmouth Gulf WA.

IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27)

Distribution References

History of changes

• Bergquist, P.R. & Cook, S.D.C. 2002. Family Aplyinellidae Bergquist, 1980. pp. 1094-1096 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. [1094]

Introduction

The Aplysinellidae Bergquist, 1980, are verongids with dendritic skeleton made up of fibres with both bark and pith elements represented, both components can vary in the relative proportion of the fibre section that they constitute. Some species exhibit a different surface to interior pigmentation in life which remains discernable in alcohol, this is unusual within the Verongida. Free fibrous spicules augment the fibre skeleton in one genus (Aplysinella). Fibre mass in relation to soft tissue volume varies from strongly fibrous (Porphyria), to predominance of collagenous matrix (Suberea). Choanocyte chambers are diplodal, small and spherical.

Three genera are included with distribution from the Red Sea, Indo-Pacific, Australian tropical and warm temperate regions. Several species now grouped within Aplysina and Pseudoceratina need to be transferred to aplysinellid genera, mainly to Suberea, but there is need for a comprehensive revision. Nine species are currently described in the family (Bergquist & Cook 2002).

Diagnosis

Verongida with dendritic skeleton made up of fibres with both bark and pith elements represented, both components can vary in the relative proportion of the fibre section that they constitute Some species exhibit a different surface to interior pigmentation in life which remains discernable in alcohol, this is unusual within the Verongida. Free fibrous spicules augment the fibre skeleton in one genus (Aplysinella). Fibre mass in relation to soft tissue volume varies from strongly fibrous (Porphyria), to predominance of collagenous matrix (Suberea). Choanocyte chambers are diplodal, small and spherical.

ID Keys

KEY TO GENERA
(1) Fibre skeleton includes free fibrous spicules --------------------------------------------------------------- Aplysinella
Fibrous spicules absent --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2

(2) Fibre skeleton strongly represented, bark dominant in fibres -------------------------------------------- Porphyria
Fibre skeleton sparse, pith dominant in fibres --------------------------------------------------------------------- Suberea

Diagnosis References

Bergquist, P.R. & Cook, S.D.C. 2002. Family Aplyinellidae Bergquist, 1980. pp. 1094-1096 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. [1094]

General References

Bergquist, P.R. & Cook, S.D.C. 2002. Family Aplyinellidae Bergquist, 1980. pp. 1094-1096 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

• Aplysinella Bergquist, P.R. 1980. A revision of the supraspecific classification of the orders Dictyoceratida, Dendroceratida and Verongida (Class Demospongiae). New Zealand Journal of Zoology 7: 443-503 figs 1-25 pls [496].

  Type species:

   Aplysinella stongylata Bergquist, 1980 by original designation.

Distribution

States

Queensland

IMCRA

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

Diagnosis

Aplysinellidae with differential pigmentation in life between surface and interior, fibres of characteristic construction having both bark and pith components, the latter being dominant, and fibre skeleton augmented by strongylote fibrous spicules. The spicules are composed only of bark and have a clear axial canal.

ID Keys

See Family Aplysinellidae Diagnosis.

Diagnosis References

Bergquist, P.R. & Cook, S.D.C. 2002. Family Aplyinellidae Bergquist, 1980. pp. 1094-1096 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. [1095]

History of changes

• Dysidea rhax Laubenfels, M.W. de 1954. The sponges of the West-Central Pacific. Oregon State Monographs. Studies in Zoology 7: 1-306 pls 1-12 [39].

  Type data:

   Holotype USNM 23013, Likiep Atollat east end of lagoon near Lado islet.
  Paratype(s) USNM 23016 (depth of 5 m; substrate was dead coral), Likiep Atoll at south side of lagoon near Eotli Island; USNM 22957 (depth 4 m; substrate was dead coral), Majuro Atoll at east end of Lagoon near Rita (or Jarej) Islet; USNM 22992 (depth 2m; substrate dead coral), Ebon Atoll at southeast side of Lagoon; USNM 23027 (depth of 5m; substrate dead coral), Northwestern Ponape, in central part of lagoon.

Distribution

States

Queensland

IMCRA

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

Ecological Descriptors

Aquatic, coral reef, filter-feeder.

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 [260] (Listed in this article)

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)

History of changes

• Aplysinella strongylata Bergquist, P.R. 1980. A revision of the supraspecific classification of the orders Dictyoceratida, Dendroceratida and Verongida (Class Demospongiae). New Zealand Journal of Zoology 7: 443-503 figs 1-25 pls [496 fig. 23 e-f, fig. 24 a-c].

  Type data:

   Holotype ZMA SE1231, Siboga station 163, near west entrance to Galawes Strait, Indonesia, 31m depth.
  Paratype(s) 879.

Distribution

States

Queensland

IMCRA

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

Ecological Descriptors

Aquatic, coral reef, filter-feeder.

General References

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]

History of changes

• Suberea Bergquist, P.R. 1995. Dictyoceratida, Dendroceratida and Verongida from the New Caledonia Lagoon (Porifera: Demospongiae). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 38(1): 1-51 [41].

  Type species:

   Subera creba Bergquist, 1995 by original designation.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia

IMCRA

Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Northeast Shelf Province (40)

Diagnosis

Aplysinellidae with coarse irregular dendritic fibres in which bark and pith elements are present but the pith predominates. The bark is strongly laminated and very brittle. Fibres can be very thick and render the texture of the sponge interior very rough to the touch. Dense collagen reinforces the matrix, making the sponges hard, to just compressible. The surface is smooth or conulose and the sponge form massive, sometimes stalked or branching. With the addition of the species referred below, there are eight described species of Suberea.

ID Keys

See Family Aplysinellidae Diagnosis.

Diagnosis References

Bergquist, P.R. & Cook, S.D.C. 2002. Family Aplyinellidae Bergquist, 1980. pp. 1094-1096 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. [1096]

History of changes

• Pseudoceratina clavata Pulitzer-Finali, G. 1982. Some new or little-known sponges from the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. Bollettino dei Musei e degli Instituti Biologici della Università di Genova 48–49(1980–1982): 87-141 [138].

  Type data:

   Holotype MCG 46961 wet, 8–12 m, Heron Is., Great Barrier Reef.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

IMCRA

Northeast Shelf Province (40)

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 8–12 m.

History of changes

• Aplysina fusca Carter, H.J. 1880. Report on specimens dredged up from the Gulf of Manaar and presented to the Liverpool Free Museum by Capt. W.H. Cawne Warren. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 5 6: 35-61, 129-156 pls 4-8 [36] [Hooper & Wiedenmayer (Hooper, J.N.A. & Wiedenmayer, F. 1994. Porifera. In, Wells, A. (ed). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 12. Melbourne : CSIRO Australia xiii 624 pp.) suggested that this species was unrecognisable based on the assessment that Carter's specimen (Carter, H.J. 1881. Contributions to our knowledge of the Spongida. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 5 8: 101–112, 118–120, 241–259 pl. 9 (107, pl. 19 fig. 11)) BMNH 1877.5.21.1884 from SW Australia was probably not conspecific, and Dendy's specimen (Dendy, A. 1889. Report on a second collection of sponges from the Gulf of Manaar. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 6 3: 73–99 pls 3–5 (pl. F fig. 3)), BMNH 1889.1.21.26 dry was not located. Bergquist & Cook (Bergquist, P.R. & Cook, S.D.C. 2002. Family Aplyinellidae Bergquist, 1980. pp. 1094-1096 in Hooper, J.N.A. & Soest, R.W.M. Van (eds). Systema Porifera. A guide to the classification of sponges. New York, Boston, Dordrecht, London, Moscow : Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers Vol. 1 . (1096)) mention it as a valid species of Suberea].

  Type data:

   Holotype ex LFM destroyed in 1941, Gulf of Mannar, Sri Lanka [8°36'39"N 78°35'27"E].

  Secondary source:

   Stone, S.M. 1986. Index to Important Sponge Collections. Autumn 1986. London : British Museum (Natural History) Vol. 47. [25]; Bergquist, P.R. & Cook, S.D.C. 2002. Family Aplyinellidae Bergquist, 1980. pp. 1094-1096 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. [1096].

Distribution

States

Western Australia

IMCRA

Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31)

Ecological Descriptors

Aquatic, benthic, filter-feeder.

History of changes

• Dendrilla ianthelliformis Lendenfeld, R. von 1888. Descriptive Catalogue of the Sponges in the Australian Museum, Sydney. London : Taylor & Francis 260 pp. 12 pls. [29].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) AM G8909 wet (as Dendrilla ianthella, NMV photos 17/18–21), Port Jackson, NSW; BMNH 1886.8.27.378 wet (as Chalinocinia ianthella, not found, =BMNH 1886.27.380 slide, =AM G3394 slide); ZMB 10398 slide, no locality.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Victoria

IMCRA

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

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 52 m.

General References

Wiedenmayer, F. 1989. Demospongiae (Porifera) from northern Bass Strait (Shelf of Southern Australia). Memoirs of Museum Victoria 50(1): 1-242 [154]

History of changes

Introduction

The Aplysinidae Carater, 1875, are verongids with an anastomosing skeleton of polygonal meshes which have no tendency to be organised in one plane. The fibres have normal bark and pith elements, contain no foreign detritus and are of moderately even dimensions throughout the sponge. The choanocyte chambers are diplodal, small, and spherical, and are set in a dense collagenous matrix. All species display a marked oxidative colour change at death or on exposure to air, quickly changing from the normal yellow or yellow-green through blue to dark brown or purple. Pigmentation, other than superficial casts attributable to cyanobacteria, is uniform throughout the sponge. Secondary metabolites include a range of brominated tyrosine derivatives with strong antimicrobial activity, similar and often identical structures occur in the Aplysinellidae, Druinellidae and Ianthellidae, they thus characterise the order Verongida. A range of aplystane sterols also characterise the Aplysinidae, and Druinellidae. The sponges are oviparous, and, while extrusion of gametes has been observed, no larvae have been described.

The Aplysinidae is a cohesive group, like other verongiid families it is sharply distinct from other fibrous Porifera. The characteristics of the skeleton, defined precisely, are distinctive and knowledge of ultrastructural histology, biochemistry and reproductive pattern when considered together testify to the long independent evolution of this group of taxa.

Two established genera are included, Aplysina and Verongula, with Aiolochroia also included as incertae sedis within Verongida and suspected affinities to this family. Distribution is Caribbean and Mediterranean predominantly. Records from Red Sea, Indian Ocean, West Central Pacific, Australia and West coast of North America all need to be verified as it is likely that the species in question belong either to the Pseudoceratinidae or Aplysinellidae (Bergquist & Cook 2002).

Diagnosis

Verongida with an anastomosing skeleton of polygonal meshes which have no tendency to be organised in one plane. The fibres have normal bark and pith elements, contain no foreign detritus and are of moderately even dimensions throughout the sponge. The choanocyte chambers are diplodal, small, and spherical, and are set in a dense collagenous matrix. All species display a marked oxidative colour change at death or on exposure to air,
quickly changing from the normal yellow or yellow-green through blue to dark brown or purple. Pigmentation, other than superficial casts attributable to cyanobacteria, is uniform throughout the sponge. Secondary metabolites include a range of brominated tyrosine derivatives with strong antimicrobial activity, similar and often identical structures occur in the Aplysinellidae, Druinellidae and Ianthellidae, they thus characterise the order Verongida. A
range of aplystane sterols also characterise the Aplysinidae, and Druinellidae. The sponges are oviparous, and, while extrusion of gametes has been observed, no larvae have been described.

ID Keys

KEY TO GENERA
(1) Sponge surface smooth, even, finely conulose ------------------------------------------------------------------- Aplysina
Sponge surface thrown into low folds producing a honeycomb-like appearance ------------------------------- Verongula
Surface with rounded tubercles surrounding depressions to give an overall polygonal appearance -------Aiolochroia

Diagnosis References

Bergquist, P.R. & Cook, S.D.C. 2002. Family Aplysinidae Carter, 1875. pp. 1082-1085 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. [1082]

General References

Bergquist, P.R. & Cook, S.D.C. 2002. Family Aplysinidae Carter, 1875. pp. 1082-1085 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

• Aplysia Nardo, G.D. 1833. Auszug aus einem neuen System der Spongiarien, wornach bereits die Aufstellung in der Universitäts-Sammlung zu Padua gemacht ist. Isis Oken, coll. 519–523. [col. 519] [junior homonym of Aplysia Linnaeus, 1767 (Mollusca)].

  Secondary source:

   Wiedenmayer, F. 1977. Shallow-water Sponges of the Western Bahamas. Basel : Birkhäuser (Experientia Suppl. 28) 287 pp. 43 pls.
• Aplysina Nardo, G.D. 1834. De spongiis. Isis Oken, coll. 714–716. [col. 714].

  Type species:

   Aplysina aerophoba Schmidt, 1862 by subsequent designation, see Laubenfels, M.W. de 1948. The order Keratosa of the phylum Porifera. A monographic study. Occasional Papers of the Allan Hancock Foundation 3: 1-217 31 figs 30 pls [124].
• Fistularia Bowerbank, J.S. 1844. On the keratose or horny sponges of commerce. Transactions of the Microscopical Society of London 1: 32-39 pl. 3 [39] [junior homonym of Fistularia Linnaeus, 1758 (Pisces), Fistularia Forskål, 1775 (Mollusca), Fistularia Mueller, 1776 (Coelenterata), Fistularia Lamarck, 1816 (Echinodermata), Fistularia de Bainville, 1830 (Echinodermata)].

  Type species:

   Spongia fistularis Pallas, 1766 by original designation.
• Verongia Bowerbank, J.S. 1845. Observations on the Spongiadae, with descriptions of some new genera. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 1 16: 400-410 pls 13-14 [403].

  Type species:

   Spongia fistularis Pallas, 1766 by original designation.
• Luffaria Duchassaing, F.P. de & Michelotti, G. 1864. Spongiaires de la mer Caraïbe. Natuurkundige Verhandelingen van de Bataafsche Hollandsche Maatschappye der Wetenschappen te Haarlem 2 21: 1-124 pls 1-25 [59].

  Type species:

   Luffaria sebae Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864 (=Aplysina lacunosa Lamarck, 1814) by subsequent designation, see Laubenfels, M.W. de 1936. A discussion of the sponge fauna of the Dry Tortugas in particular, and the West Indies in general, with material for a revision of the families and orders of the Porifera. (Tortugas Lab. Paper No. 467). Publication of the Carnegie Institution of Washington Washington 30: 1-225 22 pls 1 map [26].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Wiedenmayer, F. 1977. Shallow-water Sponges of the Western Bahamas. Basel : Birkhäuser (Experientia Suppl. 28) 287 pp. 43 pls. [63]
• Bergquist, P.R. 1980. A revision of the supraspecific classification of the orders Dictyoceratida, Dendroceratida and Verongida (Class Demospongiae). New Zealand Journal of Zoology 7: 443-503 figs 1-25 pls [492]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Amphi-Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, Indo-Malayan region, E Pacific and Antarctic.

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), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Central Western Transition (5)

Diagnosis

Aplysinidae characterised by possession of fibres of only one kind with no foreign detritus and having a thick pith component. The fibres form a regular reticulum with large polygonal meshes and no specialised surface arrangement. Sixty three species have been described under the names Aplysina and Verongia. Many of these will prove to be synonyms but re-examination is difficult since dry material yields little information and for many species no material at all has survived.

ID Keys

See Family Aplysinidae Diagnosis.

Diagnosis References

Bergquist, P.R. & Cook, S.D.C. 2002. Family Aplysinidae Carter, 1875. pp. 1082-1085 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. [1082]

General References

Wiedenmayer, F. 1977. Shallow-water Sponges of the Western Bahamas. Basel : Birkhäuser (Experientia Suppl. 28) 287 pp. 43 pls.

History of changes

• Aplysina cacos Lendenfeld, R. von 1888. Descriptive Catalogue of the Sponges in the Australian Museum, Sydney. London : Taylor & Francis 260 pp. 12 pls. [153].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1886.8.27.15 dry, Port Jackson, NSW.

Distribution

States

New South Wales

IMCRA

Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

History of changes

• Aplysina compacta Carter, H.J. 1881. Contributions to our knowledge of the Spongida. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 5 8: 101-112, 118-120, 241-259 pl. 9 [109].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1877.5.21.1871 dry, SW Australia.

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.

History of changes

• Aplysina higginsii Lendenfeld, R. von 1889. Die Verwandtschaftsverhältnisse der Hornschwämme. Zoologische Jahrbücher Syst. 4: 1-93 [46] [in key, described in Lendenfeld, R. von 1889. A Monograph of the Horny Sponges. London : Trübner & Co. 936 pp. 17 figs 50 pls. (419); considered to be unrecognisable in Bergquist, P.R. 1980. A revision of the supraspecific classification of the orders Dictyoceratida, Dendroceratida and Verongida (Class Demospongiae). New Zealand Journal of Zoology 7: 443–503 figs 1–25 pls (494)].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH unregistered dry, K4, Australian Seas.
• Aplysina higginsi Lendenfeld, 1889 [replacement name].

  Secondary source:

   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] [65] (invalid replacement name under Article 32 and 33.4 of the ICZN).

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

'Australian Seas'.

Known only from type locality.

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

History of changes

• Aplysina laevis Carter, H.J. 1885. Description of sponges from the neighbourhood of Port Phillip Heads, South Australia. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 5 15: 196-222 [204].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH, Port Phillip Heads, VIC.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

Durras and Port Phillip.

IMCRA

Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

General References

Capon, R.J. & MacLeod, J.K. 1987. Two epimeric dibromo nitriles from the Australian sponge Aplysina laevis. Australian Journal of Chemistry 40: 341-346 [341]

History of changes

• Aplysina lendenfeldi Bergquist, P.R. 1980. A revision of the supraspecific classification of the orders Dictyoceratida, Dendroceratida and Verongida (Class Demospongiae). New Zealand Journal of Zoology 7: 443-503 figs 1-25 pls [480] [for misidentified paralectotypes of Thorecta freija Lendenfeld, 1889 in AM and fresh material].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, as 'Australia'.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Victoria

IMCRA

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

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 10–30 m.

General References

Wiedenmayer, F. 1989. Demospongiae (Porifera) from northern Bass Strait (Shelf of Southern Australia). Memoirs of Museum Victoria 50(1): 1-242 [155]

History of changes

• Aplysina minima Hentschel, E. 1914. Monaxone Kieselschwämme und Hornschwämme der Deutschen Südpolar-Expedition 1901–1903. In Drygalski, E. von (ed.) Deutsche Südpolar-Expedition 1901–1903. 15(Zool. 7):. 35-141 pls 4-8 [137].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) ZMB 4846 11 specimens wet, slide, off Wilhelm II Coast (66º2´9˜S 89º38´E), Aust. Antarctic Terr.

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Aust. Antarctic Terr., Heard Is.; off Wilhelm II Coast, Enderby Land and Antarctic.

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Subtidal–385 m.

History of changes

• Aplysina mollis Row, R.W.H. 1911. Report on the sponges collected by Mr. Cyril Crossland, 1904–5. Part II. Non-Calcarea. In Reports on the marine biology of the Sudanese Red Sea XIX. Journal of the Linnean Society of London, Zoology Zool. 31: 287-400 pls 35-41 [376].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH, 9 m, Agig Harbour, Red Sea.

Taxonomic Decision for Subspecies Arrangement

• Burton, M. 1959. Sponges. Scientific Reports of the John Murray Expedition 10(5): 151-281 41 figs [268]
• Lévi, C. 1965. Spongiaires récoltés par l'Expédition Isralienne dans le sud de la Mer Rouge en 1962. In Israel South Red Sea Exped. Rep. (13). Bulletin of the Sea Fisheries Research Station, Israel 40: 3-27 [25]

Distribution

States

Queensland

IMCRA

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

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, filter-feeder, sessile.

History of changes

• Aplysina mollis aruensis Hentschel, E. 1912. Kiesel- und Hornschwämme der Aru- und Kai Inseln. Abhandlungen der Senckenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft 34: 294-448 pls 13-21 [436].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) SMF 1625 wet, 15 m, (eastern half), off Mimien, Aru Ils, Arafura Sea; Sungai Barkai.

Distribution

States

Queensland

IMCRA

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

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 15–31 m.

General References

Burton, M. 1934. Sponges. Scientific Reports of the Great Barrier Reef Expedition 1928-1929 4: 513-621 pls 1-2

History of changes

Introduction

Among the family Ianthellidae Hyatt, 1875, lobate and fan-shaped, stalked growth forms are common. Pigmentation ranges from typically verongid sulphur yellow, deep orange to deep purple, and all show the characteristic oxidation reaction upon damage or death, eventually turning deep purple. The fibre skeleton, where present, is reticulate and frequently compressed into two dimensions, radiating from the contracted basal attachment. Fibres may attain large sizes, particularly towards the base of the sponge, and contain cellular elements in distinctive concentric annuli occurring mainly in the bark component of each fibre. Choanocyte chambers are large and eurypylous, sac-shaped, varying between genera from simply elongate to occasionally branched.

Three genera are recognised in the family, all restricted to relatively shallow waters (Hartman 1982). All three genera are represented in the Australian fauna (Bergquist 1980; Bergquist & Kelly-Borges 1995).

Biochemical characteristics of Ianthellidae are similar to those of the Aplysinidae with respect to the occurrence of brominated metabolites. No aplystane sterols have yet been recorded in any species of Ianthellidae, whereas these sterols characterise the Aplysinidae and Druinellidae, which are almost identical in their major biochemical characteristics (Bergquist 1980).

The Ianthellidae (which includes Bajalidae Lévi, 1958 in synonymy) is reviewed in Bergquist (1980), and the genus Ianthella in Bergquist & Kelly-Borges (1995).

Diagnosis

Verongida in which the fibre skeleton when present is strongly anastomosing, frequently compressed into two dimensions, and radiating from a contracted base of attachment. Fibres contain cellular elements in concentric annuli; these occur mainly in bark elements, but can also be dispersed in pith as well. The fibres are of typical construction for the order with bark and pith elements represented, neither component is emphasised. Individual fibres can attain great thickness, particularly towards the base of the sponge. The skeleton makes up the major bulk of the sponge. A thick firm skin-like dermis is common to all species as is the inclusion of spherulous cells among the secretory cell content. The choanocyte chambers are large, and sac-shaped (Ianthella, Hexadella), to slightly ovate-elongate and occasionally branched (Anomoianthella). Colour in life ranges from sulphur yellow through deep orange, blue to deep purple or purple brown. All species show a characteristic oxidation reaction upon damage or death, and reach a final deep purple colouration. Soft tissue pigmentation is always uniform throughout the sponge. Biochemical characteristics are similar to those of the Aplysinidae, Pseudoceratinidae and Aplysinellidae with respect to the occurrence of brominated metabolites but highly complex variants of these molecules occur in the Ianthellidae. No aplystane sterols are known from any species of Ianthellidae.

ID Keys

KEY TO GENERA
(1) Fibre skeleton present ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2
Fibre skeleton absent ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hexadella

(2) Fibre reticulation two dimensional sometimes with fasciculate extensions vertical to that plane ------- Ianthella
Fibre reticulation anastomosing in three dimensions ---------------------------------------------------- Anomoianthella

Diagnosis References

Bergquist, P.R. & Cook, S.D.C. 2002. Family Ianthellidae Hyatt, 1875. pp. 1089-1093 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. [1089]

General References

Bergquist, P.R. 1980. A revision of the supraspecific classification of the orders Dictyoceratida, Dendroceratida and Verongida (Class Demospongiae). New Zealand Journal of Zoology 7: 443-503 figs 1-25 pls

Bergquist, P.R. 1995. Dictyoceratida, Dendroceratida and Verongida from the New Caledonia Lagoon (Porifera: Demospongiae). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 38(1): 1-51

Bergquist, P.R. & Cook, S.D.C. 2002. Family Ianthellidae Hyatt, 1875. pp. 1089-1093 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.

Bergquist, P.R. & Kelly-Borges, M. 1995. Systematics and biogeography of the genus Ianthella (Demospongiae: Verongida: Ianthellidae) in the South-west Pacific. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 12: 151-176

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

• Anomoianthella Bergquist, P.R. 1980. A revision of the supraspecific classification of the orders Dictyoceratida, Dendroceratida and Verongida (Class Demospongiae). New Zealand Journal of Zoology 7: 443-503 figs 1-25 pls [497].

  Type species:

   Anomoianthella popeae Berguist, 1980 by original designation.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Western Australia.

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31)

Diagnosis

Ianthellidae with thickened fan-, club-, or cup-shaped growth form, with discrete oscular and poral surface or localised oscular regions. The sponge is cavernous, with extremely thick fibres which form an irregular three dimensional anastomosing reticulum, soft tissue is sparse in relation to fibrous material. The fibres have substantial pith and a bark component in which numerous degenerate spongocytes are arranged in concentric annuli. The choanocyte chambers are eurypylous elongate-oval and sometimes branched.

ID Keys

See Family Ianthellidae Diagnosis.

Diagnosis References

Bergquist, P.R. & Cook, S.D.C. 2002. Family Ianthellidae Hyatt, 1875. pp. 1089-1093 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. [1091]

General References

Bergquist, P.R. & Kelly-Borges, M. 1995. Systematics and biogeography of the genus Ianthella (Demospongiae: Verongida: Ianthellidae) in the South-west Pacific. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 12: 151-176 [151] (relationship to Ianthella)

History of changes

• Anomoianthella popeae Bergquist, P.R. 1980. A revision of the supraspecific classification of the orders Dictyoceratida, Dendroceratida and Verongida (Class Demospongiae). New Zealand Journal of Zoology 7: 443-503 figs 1-25 pls [497].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM Z3869 wet, 4–5 m, Dongera, Port Denison, WA.
  Paratype(s) AM (Roche FN.PD.19A) wet (specimen now in AM Sydney).

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

IMCRA

Southwest Shelf Transition (30)

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 4–8 m.

General References

Bergquist, P.R. & Kelly-Borges, M. 1995. Systematics and biogeography of the genus Ianthella (Demospongiae: Verongida: Ianthellidae) in the South-west Pacific. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 12: 151-176 [151] (generic comparison with Ianthella spp.)

History of changes

• Basta Oken, L. 1815. Lehrbuch der Naturgeschichte. Th. III, Zoologie. Abth. 1, Fleischlose. Leipzig pp. 1-842. [invalid senior synonym of Ianthella Gray, 1869, having been published in an officially rejected work].

  Type species:

   Spongia basta Pallas, 1766 by indication.
• Ianthella Gray, J.E. 1869. Note on Ianthella, a new genus of keratose sponges. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1869: 49-51 [50].

  Type species:

   Spongia flabelliformis Pallas, 1766 by subsequent designation, see Topsent, E. 1905. Etude sur les Dendroceratida. Archives de Zoologie Expérimentale et Générale 4 3: clxxi-cxcii 3 figs [cxc].
• Haddonella Sollas, I.B.J. 1903. On Haddonella topsenti, gen. et sp. n., the structure and development of its pithed fibres. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 7 12: 557-563 pls 28-29 [557].

  Type species:

   Haddonella topsenti Sollas, 1903 by monotypy.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Bergquist, P.R. 1980. A revision of the supraspecific classification of the orders Dictyoceratida, Dendroceratida and Verongida (Class Demospongiae). New Zealand Journal of Zoology 7: 443-503 figs 1-25 pls [497]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Indian Ocean and Indo-Malayan region.

IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Transition (3), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Central Western Transition (5)

Distribution References

Diagnosis

Planar skeleton, degenerate spongocytes arranged in concentric layers within bark, extending to pith regions as dispersed cells. Sponges are large fans or vases, up to 2m high and brightly coloured. The skeleton makes up the bulk of the sponge body and can be a rectangular reticulation of fascicles crosslinked by secondary fibres, or a simple reticulation of anastomosing fibres, developed in two dimensions. Fibre outgrowths at right angles to the basic two dimensional reticulum are present in several species. The choanosome is cavernous with large, sacshaped eurypylous choanocyte chambers. The mesohyl of the choanosome is usually lightly to moderately collagen reinforced, but the ectosomal region has strong collagen deposition. Sponges are yellow, green, orange, blue and purple in colour.

ID Keys

See Family Ianthellidae Diagnosis.

Diagnosis References

Bergquist, P.R. & Cook, S.D.C. 2002. Family Ianthellidae Hyatt, 1875. pp. 1089-1093 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. [1090]

General References

Bergquist, P.R. & Kelly-Borges, M. 1995. Systematics and biogeography of the genus Ianthella (Demospongiae: Verongida: Ianthellidae) in the South-west Pacific. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 12: 151-176 [151]

History of changes

• Spongia striata Lamarck, J.B.P.A. de Monet 1814. Sur les polypiers empâtés. Annales du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle. Paris 20: 294-312, 370-386, 432-458 [384].

  Type data:

   Holotype MNHN Paris LBIM DT523, 'American Seas?' probably Indo-Malayan Region.

  Secondary source:

   Topsent, E. 1930. Eponges de Lamarck conservées au Muséum de Paris. Archives du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris 6 5: 1-56 4 figs pls 1-4 [49].
• Spongia basta Pallas, P.S. 1766. Elenchus zoophytorum sistens generum adumbrationes generaliores et specierum cognitarum succinctas descriptiones cum selectis auctorum synonymis. Hagae-comitum : P. van Cleef 45 pp. [309].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, 'southern seas'.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Torres Strait, N Great Barrier Reef; also Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Guam, Mascarene Islands, Indian Ocean.

IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Aquatic, filter-feeder, sessile.

General References

Bergquist, P.R. & Kelly-Borges, M. 1995. Systematics and biogeography of the genus Ianthella (Demospongiae: Verongida: Ianthellidae) in the South-west Pacific. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 12: 151-176 [152]

Franklin, M.A., Penn, S.G., Lebrilla, C.B., Lam, T.H., Pessah, I.N. & Molinski, T.F. 1996. Bastadin 20 and bastadin O-sulfate esters from Ianthella basta — novel modulators of the Ry(1)R FKBP12 receptor complex. Journal of Natural Products 59: 1121-1127 [1121]

Fromont, J. 2003. Porifera (Sponges) in the Dampier Archipelago: Taxonomic affinities and biogeography. Proceedings of the Twelfth International Marine Biological Workshop. The Marine Flora and Fauna of Dampier, Western Australia. 405-417 pp. [408] (Listed in this article)

Hooper, J.N.A., Kennedy, J.A., List-Armitage, S.E., Cook, S.D. & Quinn, R. 1999. Biodiversity, species composition and distribution of marine sponges in Northeast Australia. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 44: 263-274 [264]

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 [260] (Listed in this article)

Pitcher, C.R., Wassenberg, T.J., Smith, G.P., Cappo, M., Hooper, J.N.A. & Doherty, P.J. 1999. Innovative new methods for measuring the natural dynamics of some structurally dominant tropical sponges and other sessile fauna. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 44: 479-484 [483] (Listed in this article)

Webster, N.S. 2007. Sponge disease: a global threat ? Environmental Microbiology 9(6): 1363-1375 [1366]

History of changes

• Spongia flabelliformis Pallas, P.S. 1766. Elenchus zoophytorum sistens generum adumbrationes generaliores et specierum cognitarum succinctas descriptiones cum selectis auctorum synonymis. Hagae-comitum : P. van Cleef 45 pp. [380].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, 'southern seas'.

  Secondary source:

   Wiedenmayer, F. 1977. Shallow-water Sponges of the Western Bahamas. Basel : Birkhäuser (Experientia Suppl. 28) 287 pp. 43 pls. [64].

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Penguin Channel, Torres Strait, Port Jackson, Hawksbury Rive; also southern Papua New Guinea.

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Central Western Transition (5)

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 8–51 m.

General References

Bergquist, P.R. & Kelly-Borges, M. 1995. Systematics and biogeography of the genus Ianthella (Demospongiae: Verongida: Ianthellidae) in the South-west Pacific. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 12: 151-176 [155]

Fromont, J. 2003. Porifera (Sponges) in the Dampier Archipelago: Taxonomic affinities and biogeography. Proceedings of the Twelfth International Marine Biological Workshop. The Marine Flora and Fauna of Dampier, Western Australia. 405-417 pp. [409] (Listed in this article)

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 [260] (Listed in this article)

History of changes

• Ianthella homei Gray, J.E. 1869. Note on Ianthella, a new genus of keratose sponges. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1869: 49-51 [51].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1857.11.18.200 dry, 'Australia'.

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Exact locality unknown.

Known only from type locality.

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Unknown.

General References

Bergquist, P.R. 1980. A revision of the supraspecific classification of the orders Dictyoceratida, Dendroceratida and Verongida (Class Demospongiae). New Zealand Journal of Zoology 7: 443-503 figs 1-25 pls [443] (unrecognisable)

Bergquist, P.R. & Kelly-Borges, M. 1995. Systematics and biogeography of the genus Ianthella (Demospongiae: Verongida: Ianthellidae) in the South-west Pacific. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 12: 151-176 [151] (declared unrecognisable)

History of changes

• Ianthella labyrinthus Bergquist, P.R. & Kelly-Borges, M. 1995. Systematics and biogeography of the genus Ianthella (Demospongiae: Verongida: Ianthellidae) in the South-west Pacific. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 12: 151-176 [157].

  Type data:

   Holotype NTM Z691 wet, West of Buccaneer Archipelago, WA, 35m depth.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Buccaneer Archipelago, NW Australia.

IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27)

Ecological Descriptors

Aquatic, filter-feeder, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

35 m depth; sand covered rock.

General References

Fromont, J. 2003. Porifera (Sponges) in the Dampier Archipelago: Taxonomic affinities and biogeography. Proceedings of the Twelfth International Marine Biological Workshop. The Marine Flora and Fauna of Dampier, Western Australia. 405-417 pp. [409] (Listed in this article)

History of changes

• Ianthella quadrangulata Bergquist, P.R. & Kelly-Borges, M. 1995. Systematics and biogeography of the genus Ianthella (Demospongiae: Verongida: Ianthellidae) in the South-west Pacific. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 12: 151-176 [159].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1886.7.8.13 dry, Port Jackson, NSW.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Port Jackson, Sydney, Port Stephens, Illawarra, Lord Howe Is., NSW; Perth region, Frankland Islands, WA; Mooloolaba, Moreton Bay, QLD.

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Aquatic, filter-feeder, sessile.

General References

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)

Nevalainen, T.J., Quinn, R.J. & Hooper, J.N.A. 2004. Phospholipase A2 in Porifera. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 137(B): 413-420 [416] (Listed in this article)

History of changes

• Ianthella reticulata Bergquist, P.R. & Kelly-Borges, M. 1995. Systematics and biogeography of the genus Ianthella (Demospongiae: Verongida: Ianthellidae) in the South-west Pacific. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 12: 151-176 [163].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM Z5094 wet, Aidler's Bay, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, 10m depth.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Davies Reef, Pandora Reef, Russell Is., Escape Reef, QLD; also Bootless Bay, Aidler's Bay, Port Moresby region, and Madang, Papua New Guinea.

IMCRA

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

Ecological Descriptors

Aquatic, filter-feeder, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Inshore fringing reef and slopes; 10–20 m depth.

History of changes

• Haddonella topsenti Sollas, I.B.J. 1903. On Haddonella topsenti, gen. et sp. n., the structure and development of its pithed fibres. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 7 12: 557-563 pls 28-29 [557].

  Type data:

   Holotype CUMZ unknown unknown, Torres Strait.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Torres Strait.

IMCRA

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

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Unknown.

History of changes

Introduction

The Pseudoceratinidae Carter, 1885 (formerly Druinellidae Lendenfeld, 1889) include sponges in which the fibre skeleton, which is sparse, is dendritic, is made up of fibres with no investing bark, simply pith elements which are usually clear, but which occasionally can incorporate isolated fragments of debris. The fibres are extremely irregular, knotted in places, expanding and contracting along their length and below the surface fanning out in brushes. Pigmentation is uniform throughout the sponge, the surface is conulose and the texture rubbery, flexible in ramose forms, tending to incompressible in massive species.

Four nominal genera are included in the family (sensu Bergquist & Cook 2002), of which only one is considered to be valid.

Bergquist et al. (1991) initially suggested biochemical heterogeneity between species of Druinella, Psammaplysilla and Pseudoceratina, based on sterol composition, indicated that the latter two genera should be included in a separate family (Aplysinellidae Bergquist, 1980), leaving only Druinella in the Druinellidae (=Pseudoceratinidae). Morphological differences that supported sterol characteristics consisted of a dendritic dense skeleton in the Druinellidae, where fibres have knotted irregular interlacing protuberances of the bark component (Bergquist et al. 1991), whereas in Apysinellidae pith elements are present in fibres sometimes to the exclusion of bark (Bergquist 1980). Later (Bergquist 1995) synonymised all three genera, and in the most recent revision (Bergquist & Cook 2002) discusses the taxonomic history and characteristics of the group.

Pseudoceratinidae Carter, 1885 has priority over Druinellidae Lendenfeld, 1889, based on Carter's (1885) creation of the higher taxon Pseudoceratida.

Diagnosis

Verongida in which the fibre skeleton, which is sparse, is dendritic, is made up of fibres with no investing bark, simply pith elements which are usually clear, but which occasionally can incorporate isolated fragments of debris. The fibres are extremely irregular, knotted in places, expanding and contracting along their length and below the surface fanning out in brushes. Pigmentation is uniform throughout the sponge, the surface is conulose and the texture rubbery, flexible in ramose forms, tending to incompressible in massive species.

Diagnosis References

Bergquist, P.R. & Cook, S.D.C. 2002. Family Pseudoceratinidae Carter, 1885. pp. 1086-1088 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. [1086]

General References

Bergquist, P.R. 1995. Dictyoceratida, Dendroceratida and Verongida from the New Caledonia Lagoon (Porifera: Demospongiae). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 38(1): 1-51

Bergquist, P.R. & Cook, S.D.C. 2002. Family Pseudoceratinidae Carter, 1885. pp. 1086-1088 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

• Druinella Lendenfeld, R. von 1889. Die Verwandtschaftsverhältnisse der Hornschwämme. Zoologische Jahrbücher Syst. 4: 1-93 [46] [date of publication 28 February, 1889].

  Type species:

   Druinella rotunda Lendenfeld, 1889 by monotypy.
• Korotnewia Poléjaeff, N, 1889. Über Korotnewia desiderata und die Phylogenie der Hornschwämme. Zoologischer Anzeiger 311: 366-367 [367].

  Type species:

   Korotnewia desiderata Poléjaeff, 1889 by monotypy.
• Psammaplysilla Keller, C. 1889. Die Spongienfauna des rothen Meeres (1. Hälfte). Zeitschrift für Wissenschaftliche Zoologie 48: 311-405 pls 20-25 [358] [date of publication 15 November, 1889].

  Type species:

   Psammaplysilla arabica Keller, 1889 by monotypy.
• Pseudoceratina Carter, H.J. 1885. Description of sponges from the neighbourhood of Port Phillip Heads, South Australia. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 5 15: 196-222 [204].

  Type species:

   Pseudoceratina durissima Carter, 1885 by monotypy.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Bergquist, P.R. 1980. A revision of the supraspecific classification of the orders Dictyoceratida, Dendroceratida and Verongida (Class Demospongiae). New Zealand Journal of Zoology 7: 443-503 figs 1-25 pls [494]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

West Indian region.

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)

Distribution References

Diagnosis

Pseudoceratinidae with sparse fibre skeleton organised on a dendritic plan. Pith elements only are present in the fibres. The matrix of the sponge is extremely dense and heavily reinforced by collagen; the texture is hence firm, and often extremely hard and incompressible. The surface of the sponge is smooth, conulose or tuberculate.

Diagnosis References

Bergquist, P.R. & Cook, S.D.C. 2002. Family Pseudoceratinidae Carter, 1885. pp. 1086-1088 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. [1086]

History of changes

• Pseudoceratina durissima Carter, H.J. 1885. Description of sponges from the neighbourhood of Port Phillip Heads, South Australia. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 5 15: 196-222 [204] [two types are mentioned in the original description: one ex J.B. Wilson Collection, the other transferred from Aplysina purpurea: 1881 (Carter, H.J. 1881. Contributions to our knowledge of the Spongida. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 5 8: 101–112, 118–120, 241–259 pl. 9, part: pl. 9 fig. 2 only). Carter's ms catalogue of identified J.B. Wilson specimens lists three dry specimens; four dry J.B. Wilson specimens with Carter's labels are now in the BMNH; BMNH 1883.4.12.48 is doubtful as 'holotype' (or lectotype), not being part of the J.B. Wilson Collection examined by Carter, and not matching the measurements in the original description].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) BMNH 1886.12.15.260 ('Ann. v. XV, p. 204', possibly the specimens originally mentioned), 34 m, Port Phillip Heads, VIC (SW Australia); BMNH 1886.12.15.261 (NMV photos 52/14,15); BMNH 1886.12.15.360; BMNH 1886.12.15.86 originally wet (recorded depth 32 m), Port Phillip Heads; BMNH 1877.5.21.1883 (figured Carter 1881, pl. 9 fig. 2), SW Australia; BMNH 1883.4.12.48 wet, slide, (not collated with any particular specimen); AM G2820 slide (not collated with any particular specimen).
• Aplysina laevis Carter, H.J. 1885. Description of sponges from the neighbourhood of Port Phillip Heads, South Australia. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 5 15: 196-222 [204].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH, Port Phillip Heads, VIC.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Wiedenmayer, F. 1989. Demospongiae (Porifera) from northern Bass Strait (Shelf of Southern Australia). Memoirs of Museum Victoria 50(1): 1-242 [156]

Distribution

States

Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Port Phillip Heads, S of Warrnambool, and Howell's Point.

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 10–35 m.

General References

Carpay, M. 1986. The marine sponges of Tasmania. A checklist of a number of marine sponges, occurring along the Tasmanian coast. Unpublished M.Sc. thesis, Department of Bijzondere Dierkunde, Institute of Taxonomic Zoology, Amsterdam. pp. 1–77. [45]

History of changes

• Aplysina purpurea Carter, H.J. 1880. Report on specimens dredged up from the Gulf of Manaar and presented to the Liverpool Free Museum by Capt. W.H. Cawne Warren. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 5 6: 35-61, 129-156 pls 4-8 [36] [the neotype designation in Burton, M. 1934. Sponges. Science Reports of the Geat Barrier Reef Expedition 4: 513–621 pls 1–2 (594) may be invalid because original type material is extant, the case needs to be referred to the ICZN for ruling].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) BMNH 1877.5.21.1858 dry (Trincomalee, =BMNH 1954.3.9.641 fragment of type), Gulf of Manaar, India; Trincomalee, Sri Lanka; LFM (destroyed 1941, Gulf of Mannar), Gulf of Manaar, India; Trincomalee, Sri Lanka; BMNH 1954.3.9.38 slide (cannot be collated with either syntype), Gulf of Manaar, India; Trincomalee, Sri Lanka.

  Secondary source:

   Stone, S.M. 1986. Index to Important Sponge Collections. Autumn 1986. London : British Museum (Natural History) Vol. 47. [25].
• Psammaplysilla arabica Keller, C. 1889. Die Spongienfauna des rothen Meeres (1. Hälfte). Zeitschrift für Wissenschaftliche Zoologie 48: 311-405 pls 20-25 [358].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) ZMUZ 124 450 wet, 4–10 m, Suakin, Red Sea; 4–10 m, Suakin, Red Sea.
• Druinella ramosa Thiele, J. 1899. Studien über pazifische Spongien. II. Ueber einige Spongien von Celebes. Zoologica (New York) 24: 1-33 pls 1-5 [24].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) ZMB 2902 wet, 6 slides, off Kema, Minahasa, northern Sulawesi (as Celebes); NHMB Alk. Präp. 43 wet, off Kema, Minahasa, northern Sulawesi (as Celebes); BMNH 1930.7.1.6 slide, off Kema, Minahasa, northern Sulawesi (as Celebes).

  Secondary source:

   Forcart, L. 1966. Katalog der Typusexemplare in den Porifera- und Coelenterata-Sammlungen des Naturhistorischen Museums zu Basel. Verhandlungen der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft in Basel 77(1): 82-86 [85].
• Psammaplysilla kelleri Wilson, H.V. 1925. Silicious and horny sponges collected by the U.S. Fisheries steamer Albatross during the Philippine Expedition, 1907–10. In Contributions to the biology of the Philippine Archipelago and adjacent regions. Bulletin of the United States National Museum 100(2/4): i-vii 273-532 pls 37-52 [488].

  Type data:

   Holotype USNM 21291, Togian Bay, Togian Is., Sulawesi (as Celebes), Indonesia.
  Paratype(s) USNM 21291, Togian Bay, Togian Is., Sulawesi (as Celebes), Indonesia.
• Hexadella pleochromata Laubenfels, M.W. de 1950. The sponges of Kaneohe Bay, Oahu. Pacific Science 4(1): 3-36 [10].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) USNM 22748, 1–2 m, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii: 50 m, South of Pearl Harbour.
• Druinella tyrois Laubenfels, M.W. de 1954. The sponges of the West-Central Pacific. Oregon State Monographs. Studies in Zoology 7: 1-306 pls 1-12 [27].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) USNM 23052, 5 m, Ponapé, Caroline Ils, Micronesia.
• Thorectopsamma xana Laubenfels, M.W. de 1954. The sponges of the West-Central Pacific. Oregon State Monographs. Studies in Zoology 7: 1-306 pls 1-12 [32].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) USNM 23000, low tide–5 m, Likiep, Ailinglaplap, Majuro, Ebon, Bikini and Eniwetok Atolls, Marshall Ils; 4 m, Truk, Caroline Ils; 1.5 m, Iwaigrawa? Bay, Palaus (holotype locality not specified by author); USNM 22948; USNM 22828; USNM 22954; USNM 22994; USNM 22996; USNM 22864; USNM 23089; USNM 23128.
• Dendrilla verongiformis Laubenfels, M.W. de 1954. The sponges of the West-Central Pacific. Oregon State Monographs. Studies in Zoology 7: 1-306 pls 1-12 [45].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) USNM 23104, 2 m, Iwayama Bay, Koror, Palau Archipelago, Caroline Ils, Micronesia.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Bergquist, P.R. 1965. The sponges of Micronesia, Part I. The Palau Archipelago. Pacific Science 19: 123-204 34 figs [135]

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

NW Shelf, Low Isles, Thalamita Flat, Mangrove Park, North-East Moat, also Cape Boileau/Red Sea, Indian Ocean, Indo-Malayan region, W and central Pacific.

IMCRA

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

Ecological Descriptors

Filter-feeder, marine, sessile.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth intertidal waters–50 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 [260] (Referred to in this article as 'Druinella' purpurea)

History of changes