Tentorium semisuberites

(Schmidt, 1870)

Species Overview

Tentorium semisuberites (Schmidt, 1870) is a characteristic toadstool-like yellowish sponge. It consists of a smooth basal cylindrical part topped by a semiglobular upper-half provided with one or more chimney-like papillae. It is a deep-water species.

Taxonomic Description

Colour: Yellowish, lighter coloured along the sides.
Shape, size, surface and consistency: Short, squat cylinders with a convex upper side bearing one or several elevated/elongated papillae. Size up to 3.5 cm high, 3 cm in diameter. Surface smooth, slippery. Papillae thin-walled. Consistency firm but compressible.
Spicules: (Tentorium semisuberites spics) Tylostyles in three categories: long tylostyles of the basal part: 960-2400 x 13-24 µm; tylostyles of the upper parts: 808-1140 x 21-33 µm; tylostyles of the surface palisade: 274-670 x 13-21 µm.
Skeleton: The basal part has longitudinal bundles of long tylostyles; these grade into diverging bundles of the upper part and the papillae; at the periphery there is a palisade of small tylostyles.
Ecology: On gravel and dead corals, deep water, 26-2970 m.
Distribution: SW Ireland, Norway, Arctic; also recorded from the Southern Ocean.
Etymology: The name refers to the (vague) resemblance to Suberites .
Type specimen information: The type is in the Copenhagen Museum; there is an original slide in the Natural History Museum, London: BMNH 1870:5:3:86 (as Theuruphora semisuberites n.g.n.s); also Tentorium semisuberites BMNH 1910.1.1.1207. Norwegian Arctic Emperor 1876-8. Dr. A Hansen. Norman Collection. Type?

Remarks

This species is easily recognizable on sight. There are no close relatives.
Source: Arndt, 1935.