Poecilosclerida

Poecilosclerida is an order of the demosponge class. It is the most speciose demosponge order with over 2200 species (World Porifera Database). It contains about 25 recognised families. They are characterised by having chelae microscleres, that is, the minute spicules scattered through the tissues, usually in the 10-60 μm range, have a shovel-like structure on the end.

species of sponge

Mycalidae is a family of marine demosponges.

Microcionidae is a family of marine demosponges.

Podospongiidae is a family of sponges in the order Poecilosclerida.

Latrunculiidae is a family of sponges belonging to the order Poecilosclerida.

Myxillidae is a family of marine demosponges.

species of sponge

Isodictyidae is a family of marine demosponges.

Hymedesmiidae is a family of demosponges in the order Poecilosclerida.

Acarnidae is a family of sponges belonging to the order Poecilosclerida. It has a global distribution, although several genera occur primarily in colder temperate waters, and several have very restricted ranges. It is estimated that there are several hundred species.

Iotrochotidae is a family of sponges belonging to the order Poecilosclerida.

species of sponge

Acarnus is a genus of sponges belonging to the family Acarnidae. The genus has almost cosmopolitan distribution (except Europe).

Artemisina is a genus of sponges belonging to the family Microcionidae.

Coelosphaeridae is a family of sponges belonging to the order Poecilosclerida. Species are found across the globe.

Myxilla is a genus of demosponge belonging to the family Myxillidae. These sponges usually form encrustations on rock surfaces.

species of sponge

species of sponge

Chondropsidae is a family of sponges belonging to the order Poecilosclerida.

species of sponge

Desmacididae is a family of sponges belonging to the order Poecilosclerida.

species of sponge

species of sponge

species of sponge

species of sponge

species of sponge

Esperiopsidae is a family of marine demosponges.

Crellidae is a family of marine demosponges in the order Poecilosclerida.

toxic finger-sponge

Crambeidae is a family of marine demosponges.

species of sponge

Pyloderma is a genus of sponges belonging to the family Dendoricellidae.

Hymedesmia is a genus of sponges belonging to the family Hymedesmiidae. The genus is divided into two subgenera, Hymedesmia (Hymedesmia) for species with microscleres, usually chelae, and Hymedesmia (Stylopus) for species lacking microscleres and having only acanthostyles and smooth spicules which are described as tylotes, tornotes or oxea, but are clearly homologous. This distinction is probably artificial and the genus is in need of revision.

genus of sponges

species of sponge

species of sponge

Holopsamma is a genus of sponges belonging to the family Microcionidae.

genus of sponges

Clathria is a large genus of demosponges in the family Microcionidae.

species of sponge

species of sponge

species of sponge

species of sponge

Echinoclathria is a genus of demosponge in the family Microcionidae.

species of sponge

Negombata is a genus of sponges in the family Podospongiidae.

species of sponge

species of sponge

species of sponge

genus of sponges

species of sponge

Crella is a genus of marine demosponges in the family Crellidae.

Iotrochota is a genus of sponges belonging to the family Iotrochotidae.

species of sponge

Tedania is a genus of sea sponges in the family Tedaniidae.

Biemna is a genus of sea sponges in the family Biemnidae.

species of sponge

Dendoricellidae is a family of sponges belonging to the order Poecilosclerida.

Isodictya is a genus of marine demosponges in the family Isodictyidae.