| Monanchora | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Porifera |
| Class: | Demospongiae |
| Order: | Poecilosclerida |
| Family: | Crambeidae |
| Genus: | Monanchora Carter |
Monanchora is a genus of demosponges belonging to the family Crambeida. The genus contains 18 species, which have been researched for their potential use in medicine. [1] [2] [3] [4]
The species with in Monanchora vary in their morphology. The genus Monanchora is defined by belonging to the family Crambeidae while lacking pseudoatrose spicules. The structure of the species belonging to the genus Monachora varies from encrusting to lobate to ramose. A typical identifying characteristic of this genus is a canal system that is swollen and has a light colored lining. This canal system collapses when taken out of water. Species in this genus have simple skeletal arrangements that can develop bushes at the surface without the use of ectosomal skeletons. The spicules observed vary among and within species and can be categorized by size into two groups: megascleres and microscleres. In some species the microscleres may be reduced, absent or modified, resulting in problematic identification and assignment to the genus Monanchora. The genus Monachora and the genus Crambe are similar in morphology and chemistry. Even though the two are very similar, Monanchora lack the desma-like spicules that Crambe species have. [5]
Many species of Monanchora have been researched for potential uses in the medicine. Some species produce a guanidine derived alkaloid called Monanchorin. The genus Crambe and Monanchora have similar chemical makeups. [2] [3]
Species belonging to the genus Monanchora are distributed around the world. They are found in shallow marine or brackish waters. [1] They have a habitat of sea mounds or knolls. [1]
Carter first described the genus Monanchora based on a washed up specimen of Monanchora clathrata . Due to the wave action, the specimen experienced on the shore, the shape was irregular and its structure was impossible to determine. Carter described the texture of the specimen as “crumb-of-bread” and the color as tawny. The specimen has a “sub-pinlike” skeletal arrangement and a spicule that was smooth and curved with a pointed shaft. [6]
A study found that Monanchora and Crambe produce pyrroloquinoline and guanidine-derrived alkaloids, which potentially contain cytotoxix and antiviral, HIV-1 inhibitors, enzyme inhibitors, receptor antagonists, Calcium ion channel blockers, antifungals, and antimicrobials. These compounds are taxonomic traits of sponges in the Poecilosclerida order. These compounds are studied to investigate the potential use for cancer treatment and other therapeutic areas. [2] [3]
The following species are recognized: [1]
Clathrina is a genus of calcareous sponge in the family Clathrinidae. Several species formerly in Clathrina were transferred to the newly erected genera Arturia, Ernstia, Borojevia, and Brattegardia in 2013. The name is derived from the Latin word "clathratus" meaning "latticed".
Grantia is a genus of calcareous sponges belonging to the family Grantiidae. Species of the genus Grantia contain spicules and spongin fibers.
Polymastia is a genus of sea sponges containing about 30 species. These are small to large encrusting or dome-shaped sponges with a smooth surface having many teat-shaped projections (papillae). In areas of strong wave action, this genus does not grow the teat structures, but instead grows in a corrugated form.
Chondrocladia is a genus of carnivorous demosponges of the family Cladorhizidae. Neocladia was long considered a junior synonym, but has recently become accepted as a distinct genus.
Suberites is a genus of sea sponges in the family Suberitidae. Sponges, known scientifically as Porifera, are the oldest metazoans and are used to elucidate the basics of multicellular evolution. These living fossils are ideal for studying the principal features of metazoans, such as extracellular matrix interactions, signal-receptor systems, nervous or sensory systems, and primitive immune systems. Thus, sponges are useful tools with which to study early animal evolution. They appeared approximately 580 million years ago.
Poecilosclerida is an order of the demosponge class. It is the most speciose demosponge order with over 2200 species. It contains about 25 recognised families. They are characterised by having chelae microscleres, that is, the minute spicules scattered through the tissues, usually in the 10-60 μm range, have a shovel-like structure on the end.
Crambeidae is a family of marine demosponges.
Homaxinella is a genus of sea sponges in the family Suberitidae. The type species is Homaxinella balfourensis.
Agelas is a genus of sea sponge in the class Demospongiae.
Crambe is a genus of demosponges belonging to the family Crambeidae.
Rossellidae is a family of glass sponges belonging to the order Lyssacinosa. The family has a cosmopolitan distribution and is found at a large range of depths.
Acarnidae is a family of sponges belonging to the order Poecilosclerida. It has a global distribution, although several genera occur primarily in colder temperate waters, and several have very restricted ranges. It is estimated that there are several hundred species.
Iophon is a genus of sponges belonging to the family Acarnidae. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution.
Coelosphaeridae is a family of sponges belonging to the order Poecilosclerida. Species are found across the globe.
Acarnus is a genus of sponges belonging to the family Acarnidae. The genus has almost cosmopolitan distribution.
Latrunculia is a genus of demosponges. It is well known for the diverse array of chemical compounds found in its species, including the latrunculins, which are named after this genus. Many of these are medically important, including anti-cancer compounds such as discorhabdins.
Ectyonopsis is a genus of demosponges in the family Myxillidae. They are mostly known from the waters surrounding Australia and from the Southern Ocean.
Penares is a widely distributed genus of demosponges.
Tetilla is a genus of demosponges in the family Tetillidae. It is widely distributed. They are mainly found in deeper habitats.
Abyssocladia is a genus of the family Cladorhizidae, a family of carnivorous sponges. It is made up of at least 39 species found in oceans all over the world.