Niphatidae is a family of

demosponge Demosponges (Demospongiae) are the most diverse class in the phylum Porifera. They include 76.2% of all species of sponges with nearly 8,800 species worldwide (World Porifera Database). They are sponges with a soft body that covers a har ...

s in the order Haplosclerida, first described in 1980 by

Rob van Soest Robertus Wilhelmus Maria (Rob) van Soest, born in 1946, is a Dutch marine biologist. He works at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center and is also affiliated with the University of Amsterdam The University of Amsterdam (abbreviated as UvA, n ...

. It contains the following genera: * ''

Amphimedon : ''For the genus of sponge, see Amphimedon (sponge)'' In Homer's ''Odyssey'', Amphimedon (; grc, Ἀμφιμέδων) was the Ithacan son of Melaneus and one of the suitors of Penelope. Mythology While retreating from Odysseus's party dur ...

'' Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864 * ''

Cribrochalina ''Cribrochalina'' is a genus of sponge Sponges, the members of the phylum Porifera (; meaning 'pore bearer'), are a basal animal clade as a sister of the diploblasts. They are multicellular organisms that have bodies full of pores and chan ...

'' Schmidt, 1870 * ''

Dasychalina ''Dasychalina'' is a genus of sponges in the family Niphatidae Niphatidae is a family of demosponges in the order Haplosclerida, first described in 1980 by Rob van Soest. It contains the following genera: * ''Amphimedon (sponge), Amphimedon'' ...

'' Ridley & Dendy, 1886 * ''

Gelliodes ''Gelliodes'' is a genus of sponges in the family Niphatidae Niphatidae is a family of demosponges in the order Haplosclerida, first described in 1980 by Rob van Soest. It contains the following genera: * ''Amphimedon (sponge), Amphimedon'' D ...

'' Ridley, 1884 * '' Haliclonissa'' Burton, 1932 * '' Hemigellius'' Burton, 1932 * ''

Microxina ''Microxina'' is a genus of sponges belonging to the family Niphatidae Niphatidae is a family of demosponges in the order Haplosclerida, first described in 1980 by Rob van Soest. It contains the following genera: * ''Amphimedon (sponge), Amphi ...

'' Topsent, 1916 * '' Niphates'' Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864 * '' Pachychalina'' Schmidt, 1868

References

Haplosclerina Sponge families Taxa named by Rob van Soest Animals described in 1980 {{Demosponge-stub