Homaxinella is a genus of sea sponges in the family Suberitidae. The type species is Homaxinella balfourensis.[2]

Homaxinella
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Porifera
Class: Demospongiae
Order: Suberitida
Family: Suberitidae
Genus: Homaxinella
Topsent, 1916 [1]
Species

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Synonyms
  • Pachaxinella Burton, 1930

Description

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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.[2] 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.[2]

Species

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The World Porifera Database recognises the following species:[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b van Soest, Rob (2006). Van Soest RW, Boury-Esnault N, Hooper JN, Rützler K, de Voogd NJ, de Glasby BA, Hajdu E, Pisera AB, Manconi R, Schoenberg C, Janussen D, Tabachnick KR, Klautau M, Picton B, Kelly M, Vacelet J (eds.). "Homaxinella Topsent, 1916". World Porifera database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2012-02-24.
  2. ^ a b c Hooper, John N. A.; R. W. M. van Soest; Philippe Willenz (2002-11-30). Systema Porifera: a guide to the classification of sponges, Volume 1. p. 231. ISBN 9780306472602.