| Tetilla | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Porifera |
| Class: | Demospongiae |
| Order: | Tetractinellida |
| Family: | Tetillidae |
| Genus: | Tetilla Schmidt, 1868 |
| Type species | |
| Tetilla euplocamos Schmidt, 1868 | |
| Species | |
See text. | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
| |
Tetilla is a genus of demosponges in the family Tetillidae. It is widely distributed. [2] They are mainly found in deeper habitats. [3]
These globular sponges lack porocalices (special pore bearing pits) and auxiliary megascleres. The surface is covered with conical elevations (conules) or uniformly covered in minute spines. They have few oscules. These are typically located at the top. Spicule strands at the base act as a root system, attaching the sponge to the substrate. There is no visible cortex when a cross-section is taken. [3]
The spirally radiate skeleton is made of bundles of oxeas (needle-shaped spicules) originating from the center of the sponge. These become mixed with triaenes (elongated spicules with three rays at one end), mainly protriaenes. The microscleres are sigmaspires (a spirally twisted s-shaped spicule). These are absent in the type species ( T. euplocamos ). [3]
The following species are recognised: [1]
Geodia is a genus of sea sponge belonging to the family Geodiidae. It is the type genus of its taxonomic family.
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.
Halichondria is a genus of sea sponges belonging to the family Halichondriidae. These are massive, amorphous sponges with clearly separated inner and outer skeletons consisting of bundles of spicules arranged in a seemingly random pattern.
Spongia is a genus of marine sponges in the family Spongiidae, originally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1759, containing more than 60 species. Some species, including Spongia officinalis, are used as cleaning tools, but have mostly been replaced in that use by synthetic or plant material.
Axinella is a genus of sponges in the family Axinellidae first described in 1862 by Eduard Oscar Schmidt. Species of Axinella occur in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Most of these sponges are smaller than 20 cm, and have a yellow or orange colour.
Stelletta is a genus of sea sponges belonging to the family Ancorinidae.
Clathria is a large genus of demosponges in the family Microcionidae.
Haliclona is a genus of demosponges in the family Chalinidae.
Ircinia is a genus of sea sponges in the family Irciniidae.
Callyspongia is a genus of demosponges in the family Callyspongiidae.
Cinachyrella is a genus of marine sponges in the family Tetillidae.
Craniella is a genus of marine sponges in the family Tetillidae.
Clathria (Clathria) is a subgenus of demosponge in the family Microcionidae.
Tedania is a genus of sea sponges in the family Tedaniidae.
Mycale is a genus of demosponge with 240 recognised species in 11 subgenera. It has been a large genus with multiple subdivisions since it was first described in 1867.
Discodermia is a genus of deep-water sea sponge.
Ciocalypta is a genus of sea sponges belonging to the family Halichondriidae.
Dysidea is a genus of sponges belonging to the family Dysideidae.
Phorbas is a genus of demosponges belonging to the family Hymedesmiidae.
Penares is a widely distributed genus of demosponges.