Species Overview

022
KeyPics/cc077A.jpg

Hymeniacidon tuscarius (Ristau, 1978).

Synonyms:
Axinomimus tuscarus Ristau, 1978.

SPONGE:
Shape: Thick encrusting
Size_Thickness: --1.5 cm
Color_Alive: Light to medium dark brown exterior/dark chocolate brown interior
Consistency: slightly spongy; compressible
HABITAT:
Benthic Region: Marine: on wrack
Depth: --7 m
Distribution: Central California:Carmel to Bodega Bay

CHARACTERS

Surface:
Texture: very hispid
Oscula:
Shape: very irregular
Distribution: dispersed irregularly over surface
Ectosome:
Dermal membrane: 10 µm thick with brushes and spicules projecting in various directions throughout membrane
Choanosome:
Architecture: vertical multispicular tracts with confused echinating cross-connecting spicules
Tracts: often masked by confusing echinating arrangement
Note: When alive
Megasclere:
Shape: Oxeas
Length: 380 - -530 µ
Width: 10--22 µ
Note: most 440 - 480 x 18 µm
Skeleton:
Composition: Silicate
Architecture: vertical multispicular tracts with confused echinating cross-connecting spicules