Sollas, 1888
Definition: Mushroom shaped, more-or-less symmetrical sponges, with root-like bases (Thenea muricata) forming a mass of tangled spicules. One or more oscules may be present, and specialized pore areas as well as scattered pores are distributed over the entire surface. The oscules and pore areas may or may not be fringed by projecting spicules. Megascleres consist of long-shafted trienes (protriaenes, dichotriaenes and anatriaenes), oxeas and oxytylote megascleres; microscleres are streptasters (plesi-, met-, spir- and amphiasters), but never euasters. Asexually produced buds are formed by some species. (Thenea muricata spics)
Remarks: 3 valid genera are recognized.
Source: Hooper's Internet Sponge Guide.
Genus represented in the area:
Thenea Gray, 1867 (type species: Tethea muricata Bowerbank, 1864): conforming to the family definition, with asters.
Species included:
Thenea muricata