A guide to the deep-water sponges of - NMFS Scientific Publications ...
A guide to the deep-water sponges of - NMFS Scientific Publications ...
A guide to the deep-water sponges of - NMFS Scientific Publications ...
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43. Megaciella anisochela Lehnert, S<strong>to</strong>ne and Heimler, 2006<br />
Description. This sponge has clusters <strong>of</strong> 4–8 tubes with<br />
a common stalk. The surface is finely hispid with no recognizable<br />
oscula. The consistency is s<strong>of</strong>t and elastic. The<br />
dimensions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> short stalk are 2.0 × 0.5 cm and <strong>the</strong><br />
tubes are approximately 11 × 5 cm. Color in life is light<br />
yellow; golden brown after freezing; beige in ethanol.<br />
Skeletal structure. SEM images <strong>of</strong> spicules are shown<br />
in Appendix IV. The ec<strong>to</strong>some is a thin translucent<br />
membrane with tangentially arranged tylotes, singly or<br />
in small bundles, facing in all directions within <strong>the</strong> tangential<br />
plane. The ec<strong>to</strong>some contains many isochelae<br />
and is supported by underlying styles. The choanosome<br />
is a combination <strong>of</strong> a unispicular reticulation <strong>of</strong> single<br />
spicules and ascending paucispicular tracts connected<br />
by single spicules. Ascending tracts <strong>of</strong> styles penetrate<br />
<strong>the</strong> ec<strong>to</strong>somal membrane and cause <strong>the</strong> hispidation.<br />
Ec<strong>to</strong>somal tylotes (245–380 × 4–9 µm) have acanthose<br />
heads. Smooth choanosomal styles measure 490–615 ×<br />
18–22 µm. Microscleres are palmate isochelae (13–17<br />
µm) with narrow extensions, a small category <strong>of</strong> palmate<br />
isochelae (6–8 µm), and a small category <strong>of</strong> dis<strong>to</strong>rted<br />
anisochelae (4–6 µm).<br />
Zoogeographic distribution. In Alaska – locally abundant<br />
in central Aleutian Islands. Elsewhere – not<br />
reported.<br />
Habitat. Attached <strong>to</strong> bedrock, boulders, and cobbles<br />
at depths between 702 and 750 m.<br />
Pho<strong>to</strong>s. 1) Specimen collected at a depth <strong>of</strong> 702 m<br />
in <strong>the</strong> central Aleutian Islands. Grid marks are 1 cm 2 .<br />
2) Same specimen as in pho<strong>to</strong> 1 in situ.<br />
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