Identification key for the known Neopodospongia

1a. Megascleres consistently <500 µm....................................................................... 2

1b. Megascleres frequently> 500 µm........................................................................ 3

2a. Aciculodiscorhabds in two categories (40–47 and 13–32 µm long)......................................... N. pagei

2b. Aciculodiscorhabds in a single category (28–40 µm long)........................................... N. bergquistae

3a. Aciculodiscorhabds reaching over 100 µm......................................................... N. normani

3b. Aciculodiscorhabds always <80 µm...................................................................... 4

4a. Aciculodiscorhabds I: <or> 70 µm, basal whorl with 4 spines, which do not subdivide, apical whorl and apex well separated. Aciculodiscorhabds II: <or> 40 µm, spines mostly undivided or bifurcating................................ N. exilis

4b. Aciculodiscorhabds I: <70 µm, basal whorl with 4–6 spines, which may subdivide, apical whorl and apex nearly coalescing. Aciculodiscorhabds II: <40 µm, spines mostly polyfurcating............................... N. tupecomareni sp. nov.