Species Overview

057
KeyPics/cc037A.jpg

Guitarra abbotti Lee, 1987 .

Synonyms:

SPONGE:
Shape: Encrusting to massive
Color_Alive: Dark chocolate brown - reddish brown
Color_Preserved: Beige
HABITAT:
Benthic Region: Marine: Subtidal to Deep Water
Depth: 26--46
Distribution: Central California

CHARACTERS

Surface:
Texture: smooth to minutely granular
Contour: with deep grooves which delineate round or oblong lobes; variable
Oscula:
Distribution: in clusters
Rim: often with collar
Ectosome:
Note: Difficult to see
Architecture: Penetrated by spicule brushes from ectosomal columns of Styles 20-30 spicules thick. Columns connected by loose bundles of 3-6 megascleres
Choanosome:
Architecture: a regular isotropic reticulation of bundles of megascleres; 2-10 spicules thick.
Megasclere:
Shape: Styles
Length: 249 -(317|341)- 396 µ
Width: 7.2 -- 7.9 µ
Microsclere:
Length: 27-(36|39)- 53 µ
Microsclere:
Shape: Placochelae
Length: 64 -(81|87)- 100 µ
Microsclere:
Shape: Biplacochelae
Length: 23 -(32|39)- 46 µ
Microsclere:
Shape: Bipocillae
Length: 3 -(7|9)- 13 µ
Skeleton:
Composition: Silicate
Architecture: a regular isotropic reticulation of bundles of megascleres; 2-10 spicules thick.