Rossellidae

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Rossellidae
Temporal range: Hirnantian–Recent [1][2]
Rossella antarctica, illustration in: Report on the scientific results of the voyage of H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873-76 : under the command of Captain George S. Nares, R.N., F.R.S. and Captain Frank Turle Thomson, R.N. 1887
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Porifera
Class: Hexactinellida
Order: Lyssacinosida
Family: Rossellidae
Schulze, 1885[3][4]
Subfamilies

Rossellidae is a family of glass sponges belonging to the order Lyssacinosa. The family has a cosmopolitan distribution and is found at a large range of depths (8–6,770 m (26–22,211 ft), and likely deeper).[5]

The body is usually a cup-like structure. In stalked forms the body can be mushroom-like. Spicules protruding beyond the sponge surface, when present, are diactines (spicules with two pointed arms) or specialised outwardly protruding hypodermal pentactines (five pointed spicules).[5]

The choanosomal skeleton consists of diactines, sometimes together with less frequent hexactines (spicules with six prongs). A large variety of microscleres occur in this family, including a variety of holactinoidal and asterous spicules.[5]

Subfamilies and genera

As of 2017, WoRMS recognizes three subfamilies and twenty-six genera in the family:[6]

References

Further reading

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