Species Overview

Heterochone tenera (Schulze, 1899).

DEFINING CHARACTERS:

Dermalia = Pinular Hexactins with distal ray long/spindle-shaped/sharp.
Main microscleres are Discohexactins.

SPONGE:

Shape: Infundibuliform with short lateral tubes.
Color: Not reported

HABITAT:

Benthic Region: Marine: Deep water.
Distribution: Southern California and Central California.

Skeleton:

Composition: Silicate (hexactin)
Architecture: Rigid Framework penetrated by diarhysial channels.

Megasclere:

Shape: Uncinates: absent?

Megasclere:

Shape: Pinular Hexactins
Length-distal ray: 95 -191- 371 µ
Length-tangential ray: 137-210- 291 µ
Length-proximal ray: 111 -325- 556 µ

Mesosclere:

Shape: Hexactins
Length-ray: 78 -168- 297 µ

Mesosclere:

Shape: Scopules
Length: 244 -409- 598 µ

Microsclere:

Shape: Discohexactins
Diameter: 54 -70- 87 µ

Microsclere:

Shape: Discohexasters
Diameter: 47 -66- 86 µ

Microsclere:

Shape: Oxyhexasters
Diameter: 67 -98- 138 µ