Tetillidae is a family of marine sponges.[2] Tetillids are more or less spherical sponges (sometimes referred to as golf ball sponges) which are found commonly in all marine habitats at all depths throughout the world. They are especially common in sedimented habitats. Over a hundred species have been described in ten genera.

Tetillidae
Cinachyrella sp.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Porifera
Class: Demospongiae
Order: Tetractinellida
Suborder: Spirophorina
Family: Tetillidae
Sollas, 1886[1]
Genera

See text

Synonyms
  • Ectyonillidae Ferrer Hernandez, 1914

Reproduction

edit

Reproduction in tetillids is quite varied, although free-swimming larvae have not been seen in this group. In some species fertilized eggs are released which settle directly onto the substrate and develop in situ. In other species the eggs develop within the body cavity of the adult sponge and are released as small adult sponges via localized breakdown of the pinacoderm.

Genera

edit
 
Cinachyrella sp.

References

edit
  1. ^ Sollas, W.J. 1886a. Preliminary account of the Tetractinellid sponges Dredged by H.M.S. ‘Challenger’ 1872-76. Part I. The Choristida. Scientific Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society (new series) 5:177-199.. World Register of Marine Species, Retrieved 2014-04-30.
  2. ^ van Soest, R. (2014). 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.). "Tetillidae Sollas, 1886". World Porifera database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2014-04-30.