Species Overview

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KeyPics/cc156A.jpg

Megaciella sp. 2 [of Lee].

Synonyms:

SPONGE:
Color_Alive: Orange
Consistency: Somewhat compressible
HABITAT:
Benthic Region: Marine: Subtidal.
Distribution: Central California

CHARACTERS

Surface:
Texture: superficially smooth
Contour: Made of two types of regions: one domed or raised and very smooth but with well spaced deep furrows
Oscula:
Distribution: on top of domed areas
Shape: ovule to elongate
Diameter: 2--3 mm
Ectosome:
Architecture: Tangential layer of microspined Strongyles. Surface penetrated by Styles and Acanthostyles.
Choanosome:
Architecture: Multispicular 1o tracts with single and paucispicular connections forming a thick reticulation.
Megasclere:
Shape: Acanthostyles
Length: 140 -177- 268 µ
Width: 4.5-5.4 -6 µ
Megasclere:
Shape: Strongyles
Length: 125 - 398]-6 µ
Width: 1.5 -2.4- 3.5 µ
Megasclere:
Shape: Styles
Length: 121 -159- 194 µ
Width: 1.5 -2.4- 3.5 µ
Megasclere:
Shape: Styles
Length: 218 -296- 394 µ
Microsclere:
Shape: Palmate Isochelae
Length: 15 -19- 23 µ
Microsclere:
Shape: Toxas
Length: 36 -54- 85 µ
Skeleton:
Composition: Silicate
Architecture: Multispicular 1o tracts with single and paucispicular connections forming a thick reticulation.