Borojevia Cerebrum
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''Borojevia cerebrum'' is a
species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of
calcareous sponge The calcareous sponges of class Calcarea are members of the animal phylum Porifera, the cellular sponges. They are characterized by spicules made of calcium carbonate in the form of calcite or aragonite. While the spicules in most species hav ...
from the
Mediterranean Sea The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by the Mediterranean Basin and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Western and Southern Europe and Anatolia, on the south by North Africa, and on the ea ...
. The species name refers to the brain-like appearance of the sponge.


Description

As the cormus of the holotype is fragmented, it was not possible to determine its organization, or establish the presence of water-collecting tubes. In some parts, the tubes have even collapsed, and it is impossible to distinguish them. The wall of the tubes is thin, comprising an irregular meshwork of triactines, tetractines and a few tripods, which are located only on external tubes. Projecting into the interior of the tubes are the apical actines of the tetractines. Spicules are equiangular and equiradiate triactines, tetractines, and tripods. Triactines are the most abundant spicules. The size of the triactines and tetractines is uniform. The actines of the triactines are conical or cylindrical, while the tetractines are always conical. They are straight, with a blunt tip. The apical actine of the tetractines is conical, sharp, straight and thinner and shorter than the facial ones. In the distal part, before the tip of the actine, there are sharp spines arranged in 3-4 rows. These spines are directed toward the tip of the actine. Some apical actines, particularly those of young spicules, have only vestigial spines. Tripods are not abundant, as they are located only on the surface of external tubes. They are approximately the same length as the other spicules, but their actines are much more conical and stout. The centre of these spicules is frequently raised, and their tips are sharp. When the centre is not raised, they are similar to large triactines, but it is still possible to recognize them by the shape of the stout conical actines.


References


World Register of Marine Species entry
Borojevia Sponges described in 1872 Fauna of the Azores Fauna of France Fauna of Spain Taxa named by Ernst Haeckel {{calcarea-stub