Species Overview

266
KeyPics/cc139A.jpg

Forcepia (Forcepia) elvini Lee, 2001.

Synonyms:

SPONGE:
Shape: Encrusting; thick; irregular; somewhat rounded
Size_height: -2.5- cm
Size_wide: -3.5- cm
Color_Preserved: Cream-white
Consistency: firm
HABITAT:
Benthic Region: Marine: Deep water
Distribution: Central California: Cordell Bank

CHARACTERS

Surface:
Texture: superficially smooth; hispid
Contour: some lobes or layered flat plates.
Oscula:
Visible: difficult to interpret
Diameter: 1 -- 3 mm in diameter mm
Shape: round to nearly so
Density: Abundant
Rims: flush with surface
Ectosome:
Architecture: Thin layer of packed Subtylotes over which is a layer of packed microscleres.
Choanosome:
Architecture: Robust reticulation of Styles.
Skeleton:
Composition: Silicate
Architecture: Robust reticulation of Styles.
Megasclere:
Shape: Styles - Acanthostyles
Length: 257 -338- 393 µ
Width: 15 -16- 18
Megasclere:
Shape: Subtylotes
Length: 222 -251- 335 µ
Width: 6 -7- 10 µ
Microsclere:
Shape: Arcuate Isochelae
Length: 16 -19- 21 µ
Microsclere:
Shape: Arcuate Isochelae
Length: 26 -44- 49 µ
Microsclere:
Shape: Forceps
Length: 11 -15- 28 µ
Microsclere:
Shape: Forceps
Length: 36 - 49- 55 µ
Microsclere:
Shape: Sigmas
Length: 39 - 49- 56 µ