[A]
Oxeas thin, width: 7-12 μm.
Thick Styles, width: 41-51 μm.
Thin Styles, width: 7-12 μm. |
| | Higginsia sp. 1
[of Lee] |
Sponge:
Thickly encrusting 3.3 cm high by 4.0 cm wide.
Consistency: somewhat rigid but compressible.
Surface: in places superficially smooth but hispid and extremely bumpy. Large lobes extend from base, rugose.
Color: Alive: Not recorded. Preserved: Light brown.
Spicules: Megascleres:
(1) Thin Styles:
1879 -2588- 3079 um.
x 7 - 12 um.
(2) Thick Styles:
848 -1074 - 1285 um.
x 41 - 51 um.
(3) Oxeas:
606 -1120- 1660 um.
x 7 - 12 um.
Microscleres:
(1) Bent Acanthoxeas:
60 -145- 229 um.
(2) Centrotylote Oxeas:
60 -145- 229 um.
Skeleton:
Ectosome: Cortex of massive numbers of Acanthoxeas, outer ones parallel to surface and tightly scattered within. Large Styles and many small Styles penetrate surface; both heads and tips free.
Choanosome: Thick Styles form irregular reticulation to random with a few obvious tracts to surface. Thin Styles, Oxeas and Acanthoxeas scattered in between.
Distribution: Central California. Cordell Bank.
Depth: Deep water.
|
|
[B]
Oxeas thick, width: 24 - 36 μm.
Thick Styles, width: 34 - 43 μm.
Thin Styles, width: 15 - 27 μm.
|
| | ?Higginsia sp. 2
[of Lee] |
Sponge:
Thickly encrusting 1.5 cm high by 2.0 cm across.
Consistency: tough, compressible, difficult to tear.
Surface: superficially smooth. Sides furrowed with smooth lobes. Top, rugose to verrucose, hispid and rough to the touch.
Oscula: sunk into surface, round to slightly oblong, 1.0 mm or less with membranous surrounding ring.
Color: Alive: Not recorded. Preserved: Light brown.
Spicules: Megascleres:
(1)Thin Styles:
970 -1201- 3757 um.
x 15 - 27 um.
(2)Thick Styles:
1659 -1951- 2218 um.
x 34 - 43 um.
(3)Oxeas:
848 -1199- 1600 um.
x 24 - 36 um.
Microscleres:
(1)Bent Acanthoxeas:
63 -104- 183 um.
(2)Centrotylote Oxeas:
63 -104- 183 um.
Skeleton:
Ectosome: Only present on some surfaces, appears damaged. Some Acanthoxeas present.
Choanosome: Thick Styles form irregular reticulation to random with a few obvious tracts to surface. Thin Styles, Oxeas and Acanthoxeas scattered in between.
Distribution: Central California. Cordell Bank.
Depth: Deep water.
Note: This specimen appears somewhat damaged and may be contaminated. It is similar to sp.1 and may be the same.
|
|