Van Soest, 1980
Definition: Haplosclerida with encrusting, massive, fan-shaped, vase-shaped and branching growth forms, often with chimney-like oscular processes. Ectosomal skeleton consists of a dense multispicular, three-dimensional, paratangential reticulation of diactinal spicules (oxeas or strongyles), usually more compact than the choanosomal skeleton. Upright brushes of spicules are characteristically found at the surface in many species. Choanosomal skeleton is a reticulation of ascending and transverse-connecting spongin fibres, cored by multispicular tracts of oxeas. Interstitial spicules also occur commonly. Microscleres, if present, are sigmas or microxeas.
Remarks: 13 nominal genera, 7 of which are probably valid, are included. The genus Aka assigned to Niphatidae by Van Soest (1980) is here considered a member of the family Phloeodictyidae. Most species are tropical or subtropical in distribution. Review: Van Soest, 1980.
Source: Hooper's Internet Sponge Guide.
Genera represented in the area:
Gelliodes Ridley, 1884 (type species G . fibulata Ridley, 1884 ): tangential ectosomal reticulation obscured by protruding tufts of the choanosomal primaries producing a rough conulose surface; spongin present; secondary fibres largely reduced; microscleres abundant sigmas (van Soest, 1980).
Hemigellius Burton, 1932 (type species Gellius fimbriatus Kirkpatrick, 1907): tangential ectosomal reticulation obscured by protruding tufts of the choanosomal skeleton producing a conulose surface; spongin absent; microscleres sigmas and toxas, but these may be absent (De Weerdt and Van Soest, 1987).
Species included:
Gelliodes fayalensis
Hemigellius arcoferus
Hemigellius pumiceus
Species not treated here:
Hemigellius hartlaubi (Hentschel, 1929), Arctic, deep water