Aspidoscopulia Reiswig, 2002

Tabachnick, Konstantin R., Menshenina, Larisa L., Pisera, Andrzej & Ehrlich, Hermann, 2011, Revision of Aspidoscopulia Reiswig, 2002 (Porifera: Hexactinellida: Farreidae) with description of two new species, Zootaxa 2883, pp. 1-22 : 3

Genus Aspidoscopulia Reiswig, 2002

Type species. Claviscopulia furcillata Lévi, 1990: 278 (by monotypy).

Synonymy. Chonelasma sp., Tabachnick, 1988: 63. Part of Chonelasma sp. Tabachnick, 1989: 50, 1991: 380. Part of Farrea sp. Tabachnick, 1988: 60, Pl. 6, Fig. 2 . Claviscopulia Levi, 1990: 278 .

Diagnosis. Sponge body composed of branching tube which has anisotomous – dichopodial-monopodial constrictions. The main stem branches regularly in alternate position at these constrictions, so that 2 or 4-rayed symmetry is observed in the transverse section, as well as metamery along the main stem. Besides lateral branches in anisotomous sponges, lamellate ear-like processes may develop by the process of side-by-side wall fusion between two neighboring secondary lateral oscula. The ear-like, lamellate processes in the upper part of the body are anastomous, forming more or less regular constructions. Framework of farreoid and euretoid type, sometimes with epirhyses, the primary skeleton underlies not only the atrial cavity, but it is also present in the inner layer of the earlike processes. Dermalia and atrialia are pentactines. Clavules and uncinates always present, as well as aspidoscopules, located in primary skeleton connected with atrial cavity. Aspidoscopules have discoidal head and spines that protrude from a single marginal whorl of the head. Microscleres usually hexasterous with oxyoidal, discoidal and onychoidal outer ends.

Remarks. The original diagnosis of Reiswig (2002) has been modified here due to finding of a new species with peculiar morphology.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Aspidoscopulia tetrasymmetrica sp. n. (holotype, ZINRAS 11133): A, side view. B, view from above. C, view of the lower part (four-rayed symmetry is well visible). A – C, scale 5 cm. D, an overgrown lateral osculum (scale 1 cm). E, primary framework (of farreoid type). F, secondary (hypersilicified) framework. E, F, scale 1 mm.