''Clathrina antofagastensis'' 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 Chile. The species is named after
Antofagasta, Chile, where the holotype was discovered.
Description
Specimens are massive, the largest is 20 x 30 x 10 mm. Cormus is composed of large, irregular and tightly anastomosed tubes. Water-collecting tubes are not present. The skeleton is composed of two categories of
triactines without organisation:
* Triactine I: regular (equiangular and equiradiate); actines are slightly conical to conical, straight and blunt at the tip.
* Triactine II: regular (equiangular and equiradiate) in most cases, although sagittal spicules are also present. These spicules are very small. Actines are conical, straight and blunt at the tip.
References
World Register of Marine Species entry
Clathrina
Fauna of Chile
Animals described in 2009
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