''Clathrina clara'' 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 India. The name refers to the clear, bright surface of the sponge.
Description
Small, flat but not tubular and has meshes consisting of a network of thin walled tubes which are a compact mass attached directly to the substrate. The surface
cormus comprises tightly-knit tubes, several tubes joining to share one common oscule, slightly raised above the surface. There are no erect free branches. Cells with granules have not been observed. The skeleton comprises two size-classes of equiangular and equiradiate triactines. Actines are conical and straight, with a sharp tip. The large triactines are situated only in the external tubes, delimiting the
cormus, while the smaller triactines are found within the
cormus.
References
World Register of Marine Species entry
Clathrina
Fauna of India
Animals described in 2003
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