Sarà, M. (1987). A study on the genus Tethya (Porifera, Demospongiae) and new perspectives in sponge systematics. In: Vacelet J, Boury-Esnault N (eds) Taxonomy of Porifera from the N.E. Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. NATO Advanced Science Institutes Series G, Ecological Sciences, Springer, Heidelberg. 13, 205-225.

285016

Sarà, M.

1987

13, 205-225

Publication

Proceedings of the 2nd Workshop on Atlanto-Mediterranean Sponge Taxonomy

Available for editors   [request]

A general survey of the cosmopolitan genus Tethya (Porifera, Demospongiae) , whose systematics is very difficult and intricate, in spite of the quantity of literature data available, is reported. After a critical examination of the status of its classification, an analysis of the different traits (morpho-functional, ecological, reproductive, biogeographical, etc.), which could be used in its systematics, has been given as a necessary introduction to its revision. In the Mediterranean and North-Eastern Atlantic the occurrence of two easily recognizable sympatric species of Tethya, T. aurantium (Pa11as) and T. citrina Sara &Melone, (long confused, under the name of T. aurantium and its synonymies), has offered good opportunities for research expanded to include the whole range of their morphological and biological differences. These species illustrate besides a great genetic distance, diverging morpho-functional features mainly connected to their different cortical structure and adaptatively related to their different ecological niches. This type of multivarious research, may also be useful for focusing general problems such as the mechanisms of speciation and the significance of taxonomic categories, primarily the "species", in sponges.

Systematics, Taxonomy

Porifera

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