Homaxinella Explained

Homaxinella is a genus of sea sponges in the family Suberitidae. The type species is Homaxinella balfourensis.[1]

Description

Homaxinella was originally included in the sponge family Axinellidae but the structure of the skeleton shows that it lacks a reticulation and has bundles of calcareous spicules at the surface which led to its inclusion in Suberitidae.[1] The members of the genus are rooted to the substrate and have stalks, a much branched habit of growth and an axially condensed choanosomal skeleton. They have an extra-axial skeleton of bundles of megascleres which are exclusively styles, and a profusion of further incoherently arranged styles, in a wide range of sizes. There are no microscleres.[1]

Species

The World Porifera Database recognises the following species:

Notes and References

  1. Book: Hooper, John N. A. . Systema Porifera: a guide to the classification of sponges, Volume 1 . R. W. M. van Soest . Philippe Willenz . 9780306472602. 231 . 2002-11-30 .