Family Alectonidae Rosell, 1996

Abstract

Alectonidae Rosell (Demospongiae, Hadromerida), including Thoosidae Rosell & Uriz (part) and [Scolopidae] Sollas (a nomen oblitum), contains species with limestone-excavating capability and habitus similar to many Clionaidae, including some massive (gamma) forms, but lacking tylostyles. Instead, megascleres may be missing or include oxeas, styles, and strongyles, some with fanciful ornamentation. Microscleres are generally large strongylote forms, bent or spiral and with simple or spirally arranged microspines, and small amphiasters or diplasters. Because many of the species are rare and rather small and living cryptically inside calcareous substrates with other excavating sponges, contamination of spicules with foreign elements may be common. More material and reliable live observations are needed to confidently separate genera and species. Six genera are presently recognized.