Sclerospongiae

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Parent taxa:
(check the following menu and phylogeny - the taxon in bold refers to the topic on this page)


CNIDARIA
Taxonomy Tentative Phylogeny 
o Metazoa 
`--o PORIFERA
   |--Hexactinellida 
   `--+--+--Demospongiae 
      |  `?-Archaeocyatha
      |==Sclerospongiae (polyphyletic)?
      |==Stromatoporoidea (polyphyletic)?
      `--+--Calcarea 
         `--Radiata / Eumetazoa


Sclerospongiae


This small class is sometimes included in the Class Demospongiae. It contains species usually found in grottos and tunnels in association with coral reefs. These leuconoid sponges (see diagram below) are unique in having an internal skeleton of siliceous spicules and spongin fibers like those of the Demospongiae together with a massive calcareous basal skeleton.

Image:Leuconoid.gif

Credits

MAK030430

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