REVISION OF THE MARINE SPONGE GENUS CAULOSPONGIA SAVILLE KENT, 1871 (DEMOSPONGIAE HADROMERIDA). Part 1. MORPHOLOGICAL AND SKELITAL CHARACTERS

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 1 decade ago

Abstract - The sponge genus Caulospongia is reviewed and redefined to accommodate eight closely related species that belong to the genus. Four new species, Caulospongia amplexa, C. reticulata, C. venosa and C. biflabellata are described, and C. pennatula (Lamarck, 1814), C. perfoliata (Lamarck, 1814), and C. plicata Saville Kent (1871) are redescribed with reference to the type specimens and new material. C. elegans (Lendenfeld, 1888) is redescribed from the type material. The scope of the genus is discussed with respect to morphological and skeletal characters and its location within the family Suberitidae is confirmed in the light of these characters. As a consequence of examination of type material the synonymy of the genus Plectodendron Lendenfeld (1888) with Caulospongia Saville Kent (1871) is confirmed. A preliminary assessment is made of the biogeography of the genus, which is predominantly Western Australian.