Tetilla is a genus of demosponges in the family Tetillidae. It is widely distributed.[2] They are mainly found in deeper habitats.[3]

Tetilla
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Porifera
Class: Demospongiae
Order: Tetractinellida
Family: Tetillidae
Genus: Tetilla
Schmidt, 1868
Type species
Tetilla euplocamos
Schmidt, 1868
Species

See text.

Synonyms[1]
  • Casula Gray, 1872
  • Chrotella Sollas, 1886
  • Dactylella Gray, 1872
  • Ectyonilla Ferrer Hernández, 1914
  • Kaira Laubenfels, 1936
  • Trachygellius Topsent, 1894

Description

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These globular sponges lack porocalices (special pore bearing pits) and auxiliary megascleres. The surface is covered with conical elevations (conules) or uniformly covered in minute spines. They have few oscules. These are typically located at the top. Spicule strands at the base act as a root system, attaching the sponge to the substrate. There is no visible cortex when a cross-section is taken.[3]

The spirally radiate skeleton is made of bundles of oxeas (needle-shaped spicules) originating from the center of the sponge. These become mixed with triaenes (elongated spicules with three rays at one end), mainly protriaenes. The microscleres are sigmaspires (a spirally twisted s-shaped spicule). These are absent in the type species (T. euplocamos).[3]

Species

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The following species are recognised:[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Tetilla". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  2. ^ "Tetilla". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Van Soest, Rob W. M.; Hooper, John N. A. (2002), Hooper, John N. A.; Van Soest, Rob W. M.; Willenz, Philippe (eds.), "Order Spirophorida Bergquist & Hogg, 1969", Systema Porifera, Boston, MA: Springer US, pp. 83–84, doi:10.1007/978-1-4615-0747-5_7, ISBN 978-0-306-47260-2, retrieved 2021-10-01