Marine Species Identification Portal : Order Leucosolenida

Hartman, 1958b

Definition: Calcaronea with a skeleton composed exclusively of free spicules without calcified non-spicular re-inforcements (L. variabilis spics MCS) (Sycon ciliatum spics).

Remarks: Nine families are recognized based on the organization of the choanocyte chambers: Achramophidae, Amphoriscidae, Grantiidae, Heteropiidae, Jenkinidae, Lelapiidae, Lepidoleuconidae, Leucosoleniidae, Sycanthidae and Sycettidae. Only five families have representatives in the area and the remaining four will not be treated here.

Source: Borojevic et al. 2002b.

Families represented in the area:

Family Amphoriscidae: with a distinct cortex of tangentially placed tetractines; no choanosomal skeleton, but atrial skeleton always present.

Family Grantiidae: cortex of tangential spicules; choanoskeleton is regular; atrial skeleton is well-developed (syconoid aquiferous system).

Family Heteropiidae: continous cortex; distinct subcortical zone formed by pseudosagittal triactines; articulated choanosomal skeleton may be present or absent.

Family Leucosoleniidae: no cortex; continuous choanoderm that lines all of the internal cavity of the sponge (asconoid system).

Family Sycettidae: cortex is continous and strengthened by tangential spicules, but these do not cover the choanocyte chamber layer. Choanosomal spicules have an articulated arrangement; the ends of chambers project to a greater or lesser extent on the ectosomal surface (syconoid aquiferous system).

Order Leucosolenida