Dictyoceratida Minchin 1900

Figure 11Dysidea tupha. a specimen with typical cylindrical processes and finely, irregularly conulose surface; b, c views of the skeleton with fibres variably charged of mineral detritus (LM).

Figure 12Euryspongia raouchensis. a underwater image of a living specimen b small conules (thin section by LM) with slightly protruding fibres at the sponge surface and skeletal network with cored ascending primaries and uncored secondaries. a, b modified from Vacelet et al. (2007).

Figure 13Pleraplysilla minchini. a encrusting specimens in a small facies (Mitigliano Cave) b detail of dendritic skeleton fibres with debris filling the axial core.

Figure 14Pleraplysilla spinifera. a large specimen (ca. 5 cm) b ramified, cored dendritic fibres (LM).

Figure 15Ircinia dendroides. a specimen with typical cylindrical ramifications b details of the skeletal network with cored primary fibres, uncored secondaries forming large cribrose plates, and filaments with the typical apical knob. a modified from Pulitzer-Finali and Pronzato (1980) b modified from Rubió-Lois et al. (1981).

Figure 16Ircinia oros. a specimen with an epibiotic haliclonid (lightest area) b magnifications (LM) of typical irciniid skeletal filaments c schematic drawings of cored primary fibres, uncored secondary network and a filament with the terminal knob. c modified from Rubió-Lois et al. (1981).

Figure 17Ircinia paucifilamentosa. Peculiar shape of the terminal knobs of filaments in the only available illustration for this species. Modified from Vacelet (1961).

Figure 18Ircinia retidermata. a habitus of the type specimen b an underwater image of a living specimen c, d, e different magnifications (LM) of the skeletal network showing cored primary fibres, uncored secondaries, and the typical irciniid filaments f sponge surface finely granulate by mineral debris embedded in a very close fibrillar network. a modified from Pulitzer-Finali and Pronzato (1980).

Figure 19Ircinia variabilis. a–c wide array of growth forms in different specimen d skeletal spongin network of primary and secondary fibres, and filaments (LM) e skeletal spongin network of primary and secondary fibres, and filaments (SEM) f magnification of a filament at the terminal knob; g, h regularly and finely sandy sponge surface. d) modified from Pronzato et al. (2004).

Figure 20Sarcotragus fasciculatus. a living specimen (ca. 7 cm) b type specimen 15499 of the Schmidt’s collection preserved in the Landes Museum Joanneum of Graz c skeletal network without inclusions in primary fibres (detail of b). b, c modified from Pronzato et al. (2004).

Figure 21Sarcotragus foetidus. a a large (ca. 40 cm) living specimen free of epibiotic organisms b magnification of the sponge surface network c large specimen (ca. 35 cm) with dense epibiotic organisms d uncored skeleton fibre e very thin filaments.

Figure 22Sarcotragus pipetta. a living specimen in the Mitigliano Cave b type specimen 15495 from the Algerian coasts of the Schmidt’s collection in the Landes Museum Joanneum of Graz c skeletal network close to the sponge surface (LM) with ascending primary fibres supporting conules and filaments.

Figure 23Sarcotragus spinosulus. a, b specimens with different growth form c–g different magnifications of skeletal network with primary and secondary fibres, and filaments (LM and SEM).

Figure 24Coscinoderma sporadense. a type specimen b, c network architecture of almost transparent secondary fibres d connections between primary and secondary fibres e primary fibre completely cored by inclusions f close-up of the sponge’s surface engulfing mineral grains and spicules. a–f modified from Voultsiadou-Koukoura et al. (1991).

Figure 25Hippospongia communis. a a large, over 25 cm, specimen collected along the Libyan coast b, c skeletal network with tips of primary cored fibres supporting conules at the sponge surface d ascending tracts of primary fibres in the choanosome.

Figure 26Spongia lamella. a–c different growth forms d grouped oscules in the inner exhalant sponge surface e detail (SEM) of the inhalant apertures f detail of sponge surface with mineral grains enclosed in the slim collagenous layer g skeletal network of a lamina with abundant, cored primary fibres extended between the inner and outer surfaces, and inter-connected by a network of thinner secondary fibres without inclusions.

Figure 27Spongia nitens. a, b dry specimens of the Schmidt’s collection preserved in the Landes Museum Joanneum of Graz c drawing of a living specimen d fibre showing an opaque narrow core e, f different magnification (LM) of the skeletal network, entirely free of mineral inclusions. a, b modified from Desqueyroux-Faundez and Stone (1992) c, d modified from Vacelet (1987) a, b scale bars = 1 cm.

Figure 28Spongia officinalis. a massive large living specimen (ca. 25 cm) showing a finely conulose surface with scattered small oscula b close up of the conulose surface covered by a thin uncellularized collagenous layer (SEM) c magnifications of an inhalant cribrose basal area (SEM) d conules at the spongin skeleton surface (SEM) e twisted surface of secondary fibres (SEM). b, c modified from Pronzato et al. (1998) d, e modified from Pronzato & Manconi (2008) b, d scale bars in mm.

Figure 29Spongia virgultosa. a schematic drawing of the aquiferous system architecture and direction of incurrent and excurrent water flow b low magnification of the skeleton (LM) supporting a funnel c' spongin skeletons of some specimens showing the exhalant funnels (arrows) of the aquiferous system c'' blowup of skeleton skeleton characterised by the absence of cored primary fibres (LM) d exhalant funnel (SEM) e inhalant funnel (SEM). c-e) modified from Pronzato et al. (1998). d, e, f scale bars in µm.

Figure 30Spongia zimocca. a specimens from the sponge market (Djerba, Tunisia) b drawing of the skeletal network at the sponge surface c long and dense conules supported by tips of primary fibres at the sponge surface (LM) d network of uncored secondary fibres e cored primary fibres among uncored secondaries. b modified from Schulze (1879a).

Figure 31Cacospongia mollior. a, b dry specimens from the Schmidt’s collection preserved in the Landes Museum Joanneum of Graz c close up of the sponge surface harbouring several specimens of Chromodoris spp. grazing on epibionts d skeletal network with primary (cored) and secondary (uncored) fibres close to the sponge surface e close up of the skeletal network with primary and secondary fibres (LM). a, b modified from Desqueyroux-Faundez and Stone (1992) d modified from Schulze (1879a) e modified from Pulitzer-Finali & Pronzato (1976) a, b scale bars = 1 cm.

Figure 32Cacospongia proficens. Spongin skeleton with primary fibres cored by alloctonous spicules of Reniera cratera (left) and Reniera mucosa (right). Modified from Pulitzer-Finali and Pronzato (1980).

Figure 33Cacospongia scalaris. a large massive specimen (ca. 35 cm) with finely conulose surface and evident scattered oscula b cored primary fibres perpendicularly connected by secondaries showing a marrow (LM) c drawing of the skeletal network; d) drawing showing radiating primary fibres typically connected by secondaries at right angle (90°). b modified from Pulitzer-Finali & Pronzato (1976) c modified from Laubenfels (1948) d modified from Schulze (1879a).

Figure 34Fasciospongia cavernosa. a large specimen (over 20 cm) from the Kerkennah Islands (Tunisia) b stout spongin fibres in the skeletal network with very scarce inclusions at different magnifications (LM) c granulated (top) and cored (bottom) fibres d internal shape of the typical hollow (from which the species name) e, f rugose surface of skeletal fibres (SEM). c modified from Vacelet (1959) d modified from Schulze (1879a).