Species Overview

Xestospongia zumi (Ristau, 1978 )

SPONGE:

Shape: Erectly branching;Branches cylindrical or compressed into lobes. Coral-like
Size_branch width: to 2.0 cm
Color_Alive: White
Color_Preserved: White
Consistency: Firm-rigid

HABITAT:

Benthic Region: Marine: Subtidal
Depth: --18 m
Distribution: Central California; Southern California

Skeleton:

Composition: Silicate
Architecture: with multispicular tracts running toward surface. Single spicules united isodictially or in confusion between tracts

Surface:

Texture: hispid

Oscula:

Diameter: 1.0 -- 1.5 mm
Rims: surrounded by vertical spicules

Ectosome:

Architecture: a tangential layer: 60 -80 µm thick with Oxeas and Toxas. Ectosomal membrane supported by spicule bundles

Choanosome:

Architecture: with multispicular tracts running toward surface. Single spicules united isodictially or in confusion between tracts

Megasclere:

Shape: Oxeas
Length: 115 -(160|180)- 200 µ
Width: 6 - -14 µ

Microsclere:

Shape: Toxas-variable in shape
Length: 50 - -90 µ