''Clathrina heronensis'' 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 ...
fin the family
Clathrinidae and found in the seas around Australia, and in the coastal seas of many islands to her north.
It was first described by Gert Wörheide and
John Hooper in 1999.
The species epithet describes it as coming from
Heron Island Heron Island may refer to:
*Heron Island (Queensland), in Australia
*Heron Island (New Brunswick), in Baie des Chaleurs, Canada
* Heron Island (Quebec), in the Saint Lawrence River, Canada
* Heron Island, Berkshire, on the River Thames, England
* H ...
where the holotype was collected.
Description
Large, irregular and loosely anastomosed tubes form the cormus. The spicules are very bright and can easily be seen. The mesohyl has many porocytes with brown granules. The skeleton has no special organization, comprising equiangular and equiradiate triactines. Actines are cylindrical, undulated and sharp at the tip.
References
Ecxternal links
Distribution of Clathrina heronensis
Clathrina
Animals described in 1999
Sponges of Australia
Taxa named by John Hooper (marine biologist)
Taxa named by Gert Wörheide
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