Hyrtios dendyi

(Ferrer-Hernandez, 1922)

Species Overview

Hyrtios dendyi (Ferrer-Hernandez, 1922) is a globular sponge with conulose surface. Size about 10 cm in diameter. It has a central oscule lying in a depression. It has been reported only once from the NW coast of Spain.

Taxonomic Description

Colour: Not recorded.
Shape, size, surface and consistency: Globular. Fixed with a small attachment area. About 10 cm in diameter. Surface conulose. A single median compound oscule, somewhat sunken below the surface. Consistency not recorded.
Spicules: Absent.
Skeleton: Columns of sand grains of several mm in diameter (Ferrer-Hernandez mentions several cm, but it is assumed to be a misprint) cemented by spongin, interconnected by similar sand filled fibres.
Ecology: No data.
Distribution: Santander, NW Spain.
Etymology: Named after Dr Arthur Dendy, distinguished spongologist and curator of sponges in the British Museum (Natural History) in the beginning of the 20th century.
Type specimen information: The type is presumably in the Santander Museum.

Remarks

Only the single record with an inadequate description of this species is known. The photo cannot be readily identified with an earlier described species, so at present the specific distinctness is upheld. Ferrer-Hernandez (1922) erected a new genus (Collospongelia ) and a new "section" Collosclerophoraceae for this material, because of the presence of alleged "colloscleres", siliceous bodies of unknown origin or function.
Source: Ferrer-Hernandez, 1922