Gray, 1867
Definition: Typically spherical, less often encrusting or massive growth forms. Upper surface often with polygonal plates and oscula-bearing grooves, and cribriform oscules occur at the summit of the sponge; the basal surface often has root-like papillae. Megascleres are styles or strongyloxeas, the latter with asymmetrical and/or telescoped ends; spicules not markedly tylote, frequently occuring in radial tracts. Microscleres are euasters (spherasters and micrasters). Asexual reproduction by budding is common. (Tethya aurantium cross) (Tethya norvegica spics) (T. aurantium distrib.asters)
Remarks: 13 nominal genera are included here. Reference: Sarà, 1987; Sarà and Burlando, 1994.
Source: Hooper's Internet Sponge Guide.
Genus represented in the area:
Tethya Lamarck, 1814 (type species Alcyonium lyncurium Linnaeus, 1767) (syn. Donatia Nardo,1833; Amniscos Gray, 1867; Alemo Wright, 1881; Tethycordyla de Laubenfels, 1934; Taboga de Laubenfels, 1936; Tethytimea de Laubenfels, 1936): medium size spherical sponges, never stalked but may have basal rootlets; cortex well developed; skeleton radiate composed of strongyloxeas; microscleres include both megasters and micrasters; megasters are small spherasters and/or oxyspherasters of homogeneous shape and size; micrasters include both small and large euasters and oxyasters with different kinds found in ectosome and choanosome.
Species included:
Tethya aurantium
Tethya norvegica
Species not treated here:
Tethya citrina Sarà and Melone (1965), which may the species in W Europe (so far named T . aurantium ).