Species Overview

Lissodendoryx (Lissodendoryx) firma (Lambe, 1895).

SPONGE:

Shape: Encrusting
Size_Thickness: 2 -- 5 cm
Consistency: Firm

HABITAT:

Benthic Region: Marine: Intertidal; Subtidal; Deep water
Distribution: Southern California to Northern California

Surface:

Texture: hard;slightly rough
Contour: Varies from partly smooth and partly rough to undulated;simulating a brain coral surface

Oscula:

Shape: oval to oblong
Diameter: 1--4 mm

Ectosome:

Dermal membrane: present
Architecture: Thick palisades of Tylotes-Subtylotes under dermal membrane- mostly perpendicular to the surface. These may penetrate the surface

Choanosome:

Architecture: Vague tracts of Styles - Subtylostyles. Below

Skeleton:

Composition: Silicate
Architecture: Vague tracts of Styles - Subtylostyles. Below

Megasclere:

Shape: Styles-head either smooth or with a few spines
Length: 180 -(239|265)- 350 µ
Width: 6 -(8|9)- 11 µ

Megasclere:

Shape: Tylotes - Subtylotes
Length: 170 -(223|233)- 260 µ
Width: 3 -(5|6)- 7 µ

Microsclere:

Shape: Arcuate Isochelae
Length: 21 -(27|29)- 35 µ

Microsclere:

Shape: Sigmas
Length: 30 -(49|54) - 64 µ