Skeletons in confusion: a review of astrophorid sponges with (dicho-) calthrops as structural megascleres (Porifera, Demospongiae, Astrophorida)
Author
Van Soest, Rob W. M.
Author
Beglinger, Elly J.
Author
De Voogd, Nicole J.
text
ZooKeys
2010
68
1
88
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.68.729
journal article
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.68.729
1313-2970-68-1
Calthropella digitata Pulitzer-Finali, 1993
Calthropella digitata
Pulitzer-Finali 1993
: 252, Figs 2-3.
Material
examined.
None. Holotype MSNG 48290
Description.
Branching mass of 5
x
3 cm. Confused skeleton in which giant oxeas (2700
x
9
µm
) predominate. Next to this there are large dichotriaenes with cladomes of 400-550
µm
wide and similar sized rhabdomes of 400-650
x
35-45
µm
. Spherasters of 8-14
µm
comprise the microscleres.
Habitat.
Deep water, 120 m.
Distribution.
North Kenya Banks, E Africa.
Remarks.
This is in all probability not a
Calthropella
as it has a dense skeleton with confusedly arranged oxeas. This species is best assigned to
Stelletta
s.l..