Identifying Sponges

Key to California Porifera (Page 055)

( From page 051 B) Megascleres: Small Styles-Subtylostyles; mean length < 390 μm.
[A]
Megascleres are sinuous Subtylostyles.
Microscleres include Sigmas of 1 or 2 size classes.
Largest Sigmas with mean > 64 μm.
Toxas present.
cc055A.jpg de Laubenfels, 1930
Sponge: Encrusting. Sponges flat, larger sponges with ridges and protuberences. Consistency: spongy, compressible. Surface: smooth to touch.
Color: Alive, chrome yellow, pale golden brown, olive brown, buff, tan.
Spicules: Megascleres: (1) Sinuous Subtylostyles: 158 -247-285- 321 um. x 4 -8-9- 12 um.
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Microscleres:
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(1) Sigmas: 14 -20-33- 33 um. (may be missing)
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(2) Sigmas-may be contorted: 43 -64-75- 86 um.
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(3) Anisochelae*: 11 -13-14 - 17 um.
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(4) Anisochelae: 17 -18-25- 30 um.
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(5) Anisochelae: 31 -36-41- 49 um.
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(6) Toxa (rare): 5 -50-69- 118 um. *small and medium classes may merge as one.
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Skeleton: Ectosome: thin demal membrane over a loose reticulation of megascleres. Choanosome: spicule tracts to surface.
Distribution: Southern to Northern California.
Depth: Intertidal to subtidal, 9 m.
[B] GO TO PAGE 056
Megascleres are Styles or Subtylostyles which are NOT sinuous.
Microscleres include Sigmas of 1 size class
Sigmas with mean < 60 μm.
Toxas ABSENT.
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