Homoscleromorpha
| Homoscleromorpha | |
|---|---|
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| Oscarella lobularis | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Porifera |
| Class: | Homoscleromorpha |
| Order: |
Homosclerophorida Dendy, 1905 |
| Families | |
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Homoscleromorpha is a class of marine sponges composed of two families: Plakinidae and Oscarellidae.
The Homoscleromorpha is phylogenetically well separated from the Demospongiae. Therefore, they have recently been recognized as the fourth class of sponges.
On the basis of molecular and morphological evidence, the two families Plakinidae and Oscarellidae have been reinstated.
There are 84 species in this group divided into 7 genera.
The spiculate genera in this group are Corticium, Plakina, Plakortis, Plakinolopha and Plakinastrella .
The aspiculate species are the genera Oscarella and Pseudocorticium.
These sponges are massive or encrusting in form and have a very simple structure with very little variation in spicule form (all spicules tend to be very small). Reproduction is viviparous and the larva is an oval form known as an amphiblastula. This form is usual in calcareous sponges but is less common in other sponges.
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Wikipedia