Systematics and spicule evolution in dictyonal sponges (Hexactinellida: Sceptrulophora) with description of two new species
Author
Dohrmann, Martin
Author
Göcke, Christian
Author
Janussen, Dorte
Author
Reitner, Joachim
Author
Lüter, Carsten
Author
Wörheide, Gert
text
Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society
2011
2011-11-25
163
4
1003
1025
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1096-3642.2011.00753.x
journal article
10.1111/j.1096-3642.2011.00753.x
0024-4082
5442435
EURETIDAE ZITTEL, 1877
Revised diagnosis
(emended from
Reiswig & Wheeler, 2002
, for inclusion of
Sarostegia
; addition highlighted in bold): Body form either of branching and/or anastomosing tubes, or cup-funnel formed of a ring of tubes, or of a single tube, or of a single-wall funnel with or without lateral oscula extended on marginal tubes, or blade form; dictyonal meshes mainly rectangular or triangular or irregular; meshes usually equal-sided but elongate prismatic mesh series with transverse lamellae developed in some species; dictyonal strands, if developed, orientated longitudinally; with or without dictyonal cortices composed of primary or secondary dictyonalia; dermalia and atrialia are commonly pentactins or pinular hexactins with rays of approximately equal length, or both forms lacking; scopules,
which might also be represented by sarules
, and uncinates are usually present but are lacking in two genera; microscleres occur as oxyhexasters and/or discohexasters.
Remarks:
Euretidae
, being the most species-rich family of Hexactinosida (
Reiswig & Wheeler, 2002
;
Leys
et al
., 2007
), is morphologically highly diverse and taxonomically poorly defined (see above); in lack of potential autapomorphies, its validity remains to be tested with molecular data.