A guide to the deep-water sponges of - NMFS Scientific Publications ...

53. Coelosphaera oglalai Lehnert, Stone and Heimler, 2006
Description. This sponge is subglobular or massively
encrusting. The smooth surface is covered irregularly
with conical papillae of very different sizes, ranging
from 2–20 mm in height and 1–18 mm in diameter.
Individuals are to about 8 cm in diameter. Color in life
is light orange; beige in ethanol.
Skeletal structure. SEM images of spicules are shown
in Appendix IV. The ectosome is a tangential arrangement
of tylote bundles in some areas and a tangential
arrangement of all spicule types in other areas. In the
choanosome, strongyles are arranged halichondroid,
relatively dense; polyspicular tracts are vaguely recognizable
in some areas. The choanosomal megascleres vary
from blunt ended (anis-) oxeas to strongyles (570–634
× 27–32 µm), always with finely acanthose ends. Ectosomal
tylotes (325–364 × 7–10 µm) have slightly acanthose
ends. Microscleres are arcuate isochelae (47–52 µm).
Zoogeographic distribution. Uncommon. In Alaska
– central Aleutian Islands. Elsewhere – not reported.
Habitat. Attached to cobbles and pebbles at depths
between 100 and 155 m.
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Remarks. They may be overgrown with bryozoans and
found in association with the demosponge Iophon piceum
abipocillus.
Photo. 1) Specimen collected at a depth of 155 m in
the central Aleutian Islands. Grid marks are 1 cm 2 .