Family Suberitidae Schmidt, 1870

Abstract

Suberitidae Schmidt (Demospongiae, Hadromerida) is characterized by the absence of a cortex and microscleres other than microrhabds or trichodragmas. Spicules are for the most part tylostyles, often in several size categories; in exceptional cases, oxeas or strongyloxeas are the main megascleres. Usually Suberitidae have an ectosomal specialization in the form of a palisade or brushes of spicules making the surface velvety or microhispid in texture (one genus excepted). The interior skeleton tends to be irregular, confusedly reticulate, or condensed, and in general lacks a clear radial arrangement (one genus excepted). There are massive-globular, arborescent-stalked, or thinly encrusting growth forms. Many species and genera live in sedimented environment, often at some depth, either by rooted stalks or by living on the empty shells of gastropods occupied by hermit crabs which carry the sponges around. The family in its present concept includes 26 nominal genera, eleven of which are considered valid. One commonly used genus name, Laxosuberites, was found to be untenable, and species assigned to it are for the most part transferred to a revived genus name Protosuberites.