taxonID	type	description	language	source
26CC1C2F371D4F134E35D398B9E76C5F.taxon	description	Description. Growth form encrusting, thin (3 - 6 mm), in irregular patches of up to 20 cm in diameter. Surface evidently conulose (1 - 3 mm) because of the dense dendritic " forest " of " small horny trees " forming the typical skeleton of all Aplysilla species. Oscules (1 - 3 mm) scattered and not evident; inhalant apertures rarely visible in vivo. Colour from rose to yellow. Skeleton of large ramified fibres arising from a spongin basal plate strictly adhering to the substratum. Dendritic fibres with maximum size of ca. 5 mm in length, ca. 300 µm in diameter at the basal portion, and no more than 50 µm in diameter at terminal branches (up to 4 - 6 sometimes anastomosing). Spongin layered, transparent, pale in colour, not cored with mineral debris.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
D58296951191A51CA7367C0F71AE0C35.taxon	description	Description. Growth form encrusting (less than 2 mm in height). Surface conulose, ornamented by a network of rounded meshes (200 - 300 µm in diameter) loaded of inclusions; inside the meshes surface is smooth and perforated by small apertures (15 - 40 µm in diameter). Colour from grey to violet (Vacelet 1959, 1969). Dendritic modules (tree-shaped) of the skeleton with fibres apically branched (80 µm in diameter at their base, 20 µm at the apical branch level).	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
CFD2C9B20A88EF2E8EB896CD1B9F746A.taxon	description	Description. Growth form encrusting. Surface conulose bearing a reticulate dermal membrane with fibre tips supporting conules. Colour in vivo " rouge carmin " as reported by the author, bright red. Dendritic skeleton arising from a basal spongin plate with the main fibres (up to 4 mm in height, 60 - 160 µm in diameter) evidently laminated and free of foreign material, with variably dense granular axial pith. Fibres. Horny spicules triactines free or connected to the main skeleton (rarely each to one another), with actins ca. 1.1 - 1.25 mm in length and 45 - 50 µm in diameter, gradually tapering towards the sharp tips. Rays linear, usually 3, rarely 2 or 4. Spicules sometimes with pith.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
126A9A8DA51FBB46B16D7BB77AD4DF02.taxon	description	Description. Tubular habit with ten to fifteen slightly clavate hollow cylinders (up to 2 cm high, with a diameter of 5 - 8 mm) partly coalescing and arising from a common basal spongin plate (ca. 4.5 x 3 cm in diameter). Consistency soft and elastic, as the rule in all Spongionella species. Oscules apical (2 - 3 mm in diameter). Surface finely conulose with conules supported by tips of ascending fibres (conules ca. 100 µm high, 300 µm apart). Skeleton reticulate with a more or less regular network of generally quadrangular meshes (100 - 300 µm in diameter). Primary fibres (25 - 30 µm in diameter) connected by rare and irregular tracts (5 - 10 µm in diameter). Fibres laminated, clear, and uncored, with a transparent axis.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
3A625AE7A97941E045D0A731DA3053B4.taxon	description	Description. Growth form of Mediterranean specimens cushion-like, small (2 cm in diameter, 5 - 10 mm in thickness). Colour grey-greenish-brown. Consistency soft and elastic. Surface finely conulose with conules supported by tips of ascending fibres. Inhalant apertures not visible, oscules small (0.5 - 1 mm) and rare. Flagellate chambers large (70 - 80 µm) with small choanocytes. Skeleton network typical of the genus, ex tremely regular and practically indistinguishable from that of Spongionella gracilis. Fibres laminate, light and transparent, with axial pith lacking of inclusions that, when evident, shows a typical aplysillid structure. After Topsent (1929): primary fibres of a single dimensional class (25 - 35 µm); rare and irregular secondary connecting tracts (7 - 25 µm); meshes generally quadrangular 120 - 300 µm in diameter.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
7BC4B7BAE466CE7D684C129C37065783.taxon	description	Description. Growth form usually irregularly massive (2 - 4 cm large, 1 - 2 cm thick) and commonly lobate. Specimens with large size (15 - 20 cm in diameter) and long digitations (5 cm) not infrequent. Colour constantly light rose-violet. Surface free of foreign debris, conulose with a regular fibrous network interconnecting apices of conules; conules large (3 - 6 mm high, 2 - 6 mm apart, sometimes clubbed). Oscules (4 - 10 mm in diameter) apical on digitations with a very delicate transluscent collar (2 - 4 mm) sometimes evident in living specimens; inhalant apertures (30 - 50 µm in diameter) scattered. Choanosome lax with ovoid choanocyte chambers (70 µm in diameter). Skeleton as a three-dimensional network of irregular polygonal meshes (100 - 800 µm) with primary fibres extremely variable in size (60 - 300 µm) constantly and heavily filled by foreign material; secondary ones (20 - 40 µm) with light and laminated spongin almost regularly free of debris or with scattered grains. Reproduction reported in June.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
A09834616E4CEC721BF086C0AEBC98C7.taxon	description	Description. Growth form irregular, massive; usually less than 10 cm in diameter, sometimes up to 15 - 20 cm in diameter and 2 - 3 cm in height. Colour in vivo (generally also preserved specimens) light grey to white; several, slightly perceptible, tone dominances are possible (light green to light brown). Consistency soft and fragile. Surface, shared by all species of the genus, as an irregular network of dense collagen fibres, sometimes with mineral debris. Inhalant apertures 80 - 120 µm in diameter. Oscules scattered (2 - 4 mm in diameter). Light collagen amount (fibrous reticulate) in the mesohyl. Flagellate chambers large. Skeleton reticulate, with irregular meshes (300 - 600 µm), and extremely fragile because of scanty spongin and extreme abundance of mineral granulation. Primary and secondary fibres (40 - 200 µm) not distinguishable or hierarchically organized.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
AC17778E7BC6C16CFD61816B7F659A75.taxon	description	Description. Growth form encrusting (3 - 8 mm thick). Consistency fragile. Colour light grey to pale violet. Surface reticulate, conulose showing the internal aquiferous system in transparency. Conules 1 - 3 mm high, 3 - 5 mm apart. Oscules (5 - 7 mm) scattered, with a transparent collar. Skeletal network irregular with meshes (200 - 600 µm in diameter) formed by ascending primary fibres (70 - 90 µm in diameter) cored of foreign material, and secondary fibres (5 - 30 µm in diameter) generally lacking inclusions.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
9F7DCA5542953DE7A06EE95619A6ECFD.taxon	description	Description. Growth form as a meshed irregular network of cylindrical processes (8 - 10 cm in length, 05 - 1 cm in diameter) lying on the substratum, rarely erected in some parts. Colour whitish to pale-light brown. Surface finely and irregularly conulose (0.3 - 1 mm high and apart). Oscules small (1 mm) and irregularly scattered. Skeleton network with irregular or quadrangular meshes (ca. 0.5 mm) with ascending primary fibres (80 - 120 µm) supporting conules. Primaries moderately charged of mineral materials; secondary fibres slim (15 - 40 µm) and almost free of sand grains.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
920E5EFB8A0D8D6E2ED0E59302B720D1.taxon	description	Description. Growth form encrusting (6 x 4 cm, ca. 3 - 5 mm thick). Surface covered of small conules (0.8 - 1.2 mm apart) each with a slightly protruding fibre. Ectosome unarmoured. Oscules (0.8 - 1 mm in diameter) numerous, circular and irregularly scattered. Colour cream in vivo with the tips of conules whitish, clear brown in alcohol. Consistency fleshy, easily torn. Choanocyte chambers of the dysideid type, numerous, large (75 - 90 µm in diameter). Skeleton primary fibres heavily cored (125 - 150 µm in diameter), ascending singly from substratum to surface, rather regularly spaced, ending as conules. Secondary fibres (40 - 70 µm in diameter) generally clear of inclusions can have a poorly developed central core of foreign material.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
C8ADD98A70821E3C179F7386A59A2194.taxon	description	Description. Growth form encrusting (1 - 5 mm in thickness). Consistency soft. Colour light brown to light grey. Surface finely conulose. Exhalant canals evident on the sponge surface, converging in scattered oscules 1 - 2 mm in diameter. Flagellate chambers from oval to rounded (50 - 90 µm in diameter). Skeleton typically dendritic with fibres (1 - 3 mm in height ca. 160 µm in diameter at their base) rising from a basal plate. Fibres laminated, normally with a single apex supporting a conule but, in some cases, arborescent with 2 - 3 branches. Fibres evidently cored with irregularly dense foreign debris, mainly spicule fragments.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
958B9520BA8AA11F365CB75432C0C0F9.taxon	description	Description. Growth form encrusting, up to 2 cm thick, as irregular patches (several cm in diameter) characterized by a smooth and conulose mucous surface. Conules very evident, up to 8 - 10 mm in height. Colour from whitish to very light brown. Consistency very soft. Exhalant and inhalant apertures (up to 1 mm in diameter) irregularly scattered on the surface. Skeleton of dendritic fibres generally arborescent with 2 - 5 branches. Each fibre with a basal plate strictly adhering to the substrate. Spongin laminated and cored by sand grains and spicule fragments. These stout fibres (1.5 - 2.0 mm in height) can reach 400 µm in diameter at their base, with a sandy core of 80 µm. Fibres usually light yellow and transparent show, in many cases, a red-brown colour due to microscopic algae.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
834ECCB44AAB10D54DA8537B2657124D.taxon	description	Description. Growth form partially erect (ca. 5 - 10 cm in diameter) with quite cylindrical ramifications (0.8 - 1.5 cm in thickness) anastomosing in a lax irregular network growing flat on the substrate with few short uprising processes. Colour light to dark grey. Consistency finely sandy. Inhalant and exhalant apertures not evident. Skeleton network irregularly reticulate with large meshes (100 - 500 µm in diameter) of primary (120 - 200 µm) and secondary (30 - 90 µm) fibres. Primaries with a dark pith rich of foreign inclusions; secondaries laminated and converging in several cribrose plates. Spongin filaments abundant (3.5 - 5.0 µm thick), with a terminal knob (8 - 10 µm).	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
7E0F75A11A1F5D72C7CD7E25072AA623.taxon	description	Description. Growth form massive, lobate, with large size (20 - 30 cm in diameter and 10 - 15 in height). Each lobe usually bears a large oscule (30 - 60 mm in diameter), sometimes at the end of a short funnel (1 cm high). Colour medium to dark grey in vivo. Surface covered by a slim layer of very fine and regular mineral sediment engulfed in a slender regular network showing a lighter colour. Conules (1 - 2 mm in height) regularly distributed, 24 mm apart. Choanosomal skeleton rust coloured and rich in fibres and filaments. Skeleton network of cored primary fibres (200 - 250 µm in diameter) and free (or almost free) secondary fibres (100 - 200 µm). Filaments (9 - 13 µm) with an oval knob (15 - 22 µm).	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
080583A556F316B41DA0CD2CC886AD5A.taxon	description	Description. This specie was described on behalf of two fragments of " an irregular massive specimen with osculiferous lobes ". Conules few, irregularly high and scattered. Colour reported as " light " in alcohol. Consistency lax, similar to Cacospongia species. Dermal membrane reinforced by rare sand grains, easy to remove. Skeleton network of primary fibres cored and anastomosed with secondaries free of foreign materials (dimensions not reported in the original description). Filaments very rare (9 - 13 µm in diameter) with an irregular globular termination (25 - 45 µm in diameter). Flagellate chambers 25 - 35 µm in diameter.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
30C47C05F4D04D7841B7DD5A035EC445.taxon	description	Description. Growth form massive, rounded, ca. 10 x 5 x 5 cm. Consistency firm and elastic. Colour in the preserved state is from beige to mid brown; living specimens appear a little bit darker. Surface conulose with blunt conules (ca. 1 - 2 mm high, 1 - 3 mm apart) connected with each other by a raised, honeycombed reticulation with meshes (ca. 80 µm in diameter) quite conspicuous at bare eye, made of fine particles of sand and a concentration of filaments. Oscules (2 - 5 mm in diameter) scattered, with elevated margins. Skeleton reticulate with meshes 200 to 600 µm in diameter. Main fibres (50 - 80 µm in thickness) not fasciculate, moderately cored by foreign matter (sand and spicule fragments). Secondary fibres (20 - 80 µm thick) irregularly trellis-like, free of inclusions. Filaments ca. 5 µm thick.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
6F4FBB817B3CAD4DD2C2F79BE1B7AA78.taxon	description	Description. Growth form massive up to 20 - 25 cm in height and diameter. Colour also notably variable: from light or dark grey, to light or dark brown and light or dark violet. Consistency elastic and strong. Dimension and density of conules variable, not representing a valid diagnostic character. Oscules arranged in disorder. Skeleton network of primary (150 - 250 µm) fibres cored by opaque foreign materials supporting conules at their apices; secondary fibres mostly free of inclusions, and highly variable in diameter (10 - 200 µm).	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
2105EB40E7E191711DC3CD79CA3E18E3.taxon	description	Description. Growth form massive, irregular (up to 12 x 15 cm in diameter). Surface regularly conulose (1 mm in height, 1 - 2 mm apart). Skeleton network light brown, fragile, reticulate with more or less square meshes from the sponge base to the surface. Almost parallel ascending primary fibres (200 - 300 µm in diameter) free from foreign inclusions, with apices supporting conules. Each primary fibre as a bundle of some (2 - 5) uncored secondary fibres (50 - 100 µm in diameter) joined by conspicuous spongin tracts and cribrose plates. Filaments less than 3 µm thick, abundant, and whitish.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
F80DF54EEA90051526683583DD1CB955.taxon	description	Description. Growth form irregularly massive to globular (up to 1 m in diameter, 50 cm in height); oscules large (0.5 - 1 cm in diameter) with a short collar, often grouped in a central depression at the top of the body. Consistency soft and strong. Colour is medium grey, but brown or black varieties have been also recorded (Vacelet 1959). Surface is smooth or covered by several epizoans. Conules are 2 - 3 mm high and 10 - 15 mm apart. Dry specimens become very hard and smaller (1 / 5) than living ones, also colour changes regularly into black. The skeleton does not differ from the other Mediterranean species belonging to the genus; the main skeleton composed by a reticulate network of primary (ca. 100 - 200 µm in diameter) and secondary (ca. 50 - 100 µm in diameter) fibres. Filaments abundant (1 - 3 µm in diameter).	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
7A8369A9712A28EC29E50AEA4CF9FEBF.taxon	description	Description. Growth form massive (10 x 10 cm to 5 x 5 cm) and irregular in the basal portion with 5 to 10 peculiar, unequal, hollow, conical processes (1 to 3 cm high and 1 to 2 cm wide at their base) bearing an apical, circular oscule 1 to 3 mm in diameter. Consistency firm and elastic, difficult to tear. Colour in formalin from light brown to dark violet-brown to rarely greyish azure in vivo (Mitigliano cave). Dermal membrane with fine particles of sand. Conules ca. 0.5 mm in height, rather irregularly distributed (1 to 3 mm apart). Skeleton reticulate with meshes 2 - 3 mm in diameter. Primary fibres with fasciculate architecture, with a central fibre (50 to 150 µm thick) cored by small inclusions (mainly sand) irregularly surrounded by a trellis of thinner fibres (20 to 40 µm thick), free of inclusions. These complex fibres assume here and there the shape of a perforated plate (400 - 700 µm in diameter). Secondary fibres simple, moderately cored by foreign matter, generally narrow at their centre and anastomosing to the main fibres by root-like processes. Filaments up to 6.5 µm in thickness.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
A8532558151115FE945B2E8C461D93C6.taxon	description	Description. Growth form regular, massive, rarely exceeding 10 cm in diameter. Colour black or dark grey in vivo. Consistency strong, relatively elastic. Surface finely conulose (1 - 2 mm in height and 2 - 3 mm apart). Oscules (up to 1 cm in diameter) irregularly scattered. Skeleton network reticulation of ascending primary fibres (90 - 180 µm in diameter) with a fibrous narrow core free of inclusions or bearing only rare spicules. Secondary fibres (50 - 100 µm in diameter) uncored and laminated. Filaments (0.7 - 2.0 µm in diameter) very abundant giving a strong consistency.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
7580414B7671C679515E315EF3B350A0.taxon	description	Description. Growth form massive, cushion shaped, lobose (6 to 30 cm 2 surface area, ca. 5 mm avg thickness). Colour light brown, lighter in formalin. Consistency soft, spongy and compressible. Surface conulose with conules ca. 1 mm in height and 2 - 4 mm apart. Oscules few (2 - 4 mm in diameter). Ostia visible in some areas with a diameter of 50 - 200 µm. Ectosome (100 - 350 µm in thickness) detachable and armoured with sand grains and foreign spicules. Ascending primary fibres (50 - 80 µm in diameter) cored with foreign material to such a degree that sometimes spongin is hardly visible. Foreign material usually sand grains mixed with low amounts of spicules, although some fibres cored exclusively with spicules. Primary fibres connected to a dense, irregular, network of secondary fibres which, in the vicinity of the primary fibres, has the form of a perforated plate. Secondary fibres (10 - 40 µm in diameter) often with rounded or broadly acute free tips, thin and hardly anastomosing. The secondary network, in its greater part, resembles an unwound clew.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
2E4F84EC91A37B23EABB7E2A1266FBDC.taxon	description	Description. Growth form massive, rounded. Colour in vivo dark grey. Surface with large, sparse conules. Oscules scattered or grouped at the top surface, pre-oscular cavities extremely developed, large subdermal canals radially arranged at oscula. Large cavernous cavities (1 - 4 cm) irregularly scattered in the choanosome. Skeleton reticulate with ascending main fibres supporting the conules. Primaries (60 - 100 µm in diameter) twisted, with inclusions (fragments of spicules and mineral granules). Primaries present exclusively as main axis of conules, towards the surface, in some specimens / populations. Secondaries (20 - 30 µm in diameter) abundant, forming a dense network, without inclusions.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
E3445F41A45206868BA23EDB20F99733.taxon	description	Description. Growth form vase- or fan-shaped, large (up to over 1 m). Surface finely conulose, inhalant and exhalant openings of the aquiferous system on the outer and inner sides, respectively, of the vase, or on the opposite sides of the fan. Wall 5 - 10 mm thick. Inhalant apertures large and irregular. Oscules small with a diameter ca. 1.5 mm and grouped in clubs regularly scattered. Colour in vivo from grey to brown. Surface conulose. Ectosomal skeleton covered by a dermal membrane rich of sand, as a network of secondary fibres (15 - 20 µm in diameter) connected to the apices of primaries. Choanosomal skeleton as an irregular network of secondaries (20 - 40 µm in diameter) with evident tracts of primary fibres (50 - 80 µm in diameter) extended between inner and outer surfaces. Primary fibres cored by mineral inclusions.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
0B7249D79B5B93F284C774D90CC1E7D4.taxon	description	Description. Growth form irregularly lobate, rarely larger than 15 - 20 cm. Oscules (2 mm in diameter) on each lobe, with evident very long converging exhalant canals. Consistency soft and strong. Colour whitish to light brown. Conules small and regular. Primary fibres (40 - 60 µm in diameter) sometimes showing a fibrous opaque core, avoiding inclusion or with rare spicule fragments. Secondary fibres (20 - 35 µm in thickness) connecting primary ones in a regular network; a second superficial network is formed by thinner (4 - 10 µm) fibres. Skeleton extremely soft. The specific name refers to the silky sponge's surface with an external membrane smooth and translucent.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
F881F0D30A51535EAEEC0BBF8122534E.taxon	description	Description. Growth form massive-lobate, surface finely conulose, single oscules scattered or at the apex of lobes, pre-oscular cavities well evident. Colour in vivo from light grey to black. Ectosomal skeleton as apices of primary fibres joining secondary fibres to form the conical reticulum which supports the conules. Choanosomal skeleton: network dense with irregular polygonal meshes of secondaries joining to form ascending primaries. Primary fibres (50 - 100 µm in diameter) typically twisted with ornamentations as parallel ridges along the main fibre axis mainly developed and evident towards the surface, cored with sand grains and spicules. Secondaries (20 - 35 µm in diameter) with ornamentations as parallel ridges along the main fibre axis, twisted and characterised by concentric layers of compact spongin surrounding the compact axial core without inclusions.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
B63CB7AB21D034DEBBF988037F20F98D.taxon	description	Description. Growth form encrusting (ca. 2 - 5 cm in diameter), rarely massive (up to 10 - 15 cm), usually emerging from the substratum only with inhalant and exhalant funnels (5 - 15 mm high, 3 - 5 mm in diameter). Sponge surface irregularly conulose (1 - 2 mm high, 24 mm apart). Colour from light to very dark brown. Primary fibres (40 - 50 µm) cored by mineral debris, extremely rare and often absent; secondaries extremely variable (10 - 50 µm).	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
0CEF2E533EF90F65264ACB7765DBA546.taxon	description	Description. Massive to globular growth form, small size, usually not over 15 cm in diameter. Surface softly hairy, densely conulose with very long conules (2 - 3 mm high and less than 1 mm apart) sometimes a single conule supported by 2 - 3 converging primary fibres. Oscules not evident and located in small deep superficial depressions. Colour in vivo never reported. Consistency very soft, elastic and strong. Skeleton as a network of regular meshes (100 - 200 µm) with primary fibres bearing very rare inclusions (particularly fragments of spicules) and secondaries completely free of inclusions; primary fibres typically formed by anastomosing secondaries in fascicules (50 - 80 µm in diameter).	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
950C67A45262E60B7E171F3C67CEF33C.taxon	description	Description. Growth form massive, lobate, 10 - 25 cm in diameter. Consistency soft and spongy, easy to tear off in vivo and friable when dry. Colour dark grey with whitish, bluish and magenta tinges. Surface smooth, regularly conulose (1 - 1.5 mm in height, 1 - 2 mm apart), forming regular characteristic " circular craters ". Oscules scattered, small and single, upwards of 1 mm in diameter. Flagellate chambers spherical, 30 - 45 µm in diameter. Skeleton network reticulate with regular meshes (300 - 600 µm). Primary ascending fibres (80 - 120 µm) cored by mineral debris; secondaries abundant, free of inclusions, transparent and uncored. Skeleton soft when hydrated and brittle when dry.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
91E8D6E388B242504EEC940428A99FCB.taxon	description	Description. Growth form massive at the basal portion with several ascending conical processes each bearing a small apical oscule. Specimen designated as the holotype, measures 6 x 7 cm at the base, and has about ten processes up to 2 cm high, 12 - 13 mm wide at their base. Consistency soft and easy to tear. Colour in formalin grey, cream internally. Surface conulose with no sand in the dermal membrane. Conules sharp, ca. 0.5 mm high and 1 mm apart. Skeleton network reticulate, irregular, with meshes 200 - 1100 µm wide, resembling that of Cacospongia mollior. Primary fibres of laminar spongin, branching, not fasciculate (50 - 100 µm in diameter), tapering (15 - 20 µm) towards the conule; they contain abundant foreign material consisting mainly of the mostly entire spicules of the associated species of Haliclona (Reniera). Secondary fibres (25 - 80 µm in thickness) of laminar spongin, free from inclusions.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
C1839493D4511168E6E3F2E1183CD6F2.taxon	description	Description. Growth form massive, globose, lobate, large (up to 20 - 30 cm in diameter). Colour constantly dark grey with bluish shades. Surface conulose (conules 1 - 2 mm high, 2 - 4 mm apart) with smooth scattered circular depressions; supported by tips of primary fibres. Oscules surrounded by a short collar (up to 1 cm in diameter) abundant and irregularly scattered on the sponge's upper part. Skeleton network lax with hard, not elastic spongin fibres. Primary fibres almost parallel, interconnected by quite perpendicular secondary fibres looking like rungs in a scale (this peculiar character originated the specific name); primary fibres (90 - 200 µm in diameter) cored by abundant inclusions; secondary fibres (30 - 80 µm in diameter) laminated with an evident fibrous core. Flagellate chambers of 30 - 45 µm in diameter.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
CE6D5C45BDEE3BFA64FCED18873B5498.taxon	description	Description. Growth form tubular, massive, rounded, usually not larger than 10 cm, sometimes up to 25 cm in diameter. Colour dark brown at the surface, light yellowish at the choanosome. Large and abundant irregular cavities and canals scattered in the mesohyl (etymology of the specific name). Consistency strong and cartilaginous; sponge surface covered by very abundant conules (3 - 4 mm in height) giving a spiny aspect. External membrane smooth, translucent and resistant; flagellate chambers round (25 - 30 µm in diameter). Skeleton network very strong with large (50 - 250 µm) rugose or granulated fibres; some of the largest ones cored by foreign debris can be considered as primary fibres.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
0F1DDD970CD71F19F93E8B1F59B7BED8.taxon	description	Description. Growth form sub-spherical or cake shaped, usually less than 10 cm in diameter. Colour black at the surface, greyish-yellow in the choanosome. Consistency very spongy in vivo, quite brittle in dry conditions. Surface conulose (conules 1 - 2 mm high, 1 - 2 mm apart). Oscules small, scattered and inconspicuous. Ectosome leathery, densely packed with highly heterogeneous detritus in nature, shape and size. Choanosome moderately cavernous and fleshy, with a ground-work of fibro-reticulations. Flagellate chambers rounded, 25 - 40 µm in diameter. Skeleton composed by very rare fibres completely filled by foreign materials, ascending primaries (100 - 350 µm in diameter), secondaries 50 - 100 µm, meshes very irregular in size, shape and outline; a large amount of variously composed and sized detritus is scattered in disorder in the mesohyl.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
BBC0AD26046F65F203542BF273E97F2E.taxon	description	Description. Growth form encrusting, few mm thick and few cm in diameter. Consistency jelly-like or softly colloidal. Surface smooth with small oscular tubes and not evident inhalant apertures. Colour in vivo pale yellow to dark yellowish, sometimes with more or less dark blue tonalities. Absence of horny skeleton. Flagellate chambers radially arranged around the aquiferous system canals, elongated and typical of the genus (25 µm in diameter, 60 - 150 µm in length).	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
A55AEE42D8E5D11447AA9C7BCEB04E75.taxon	description	Description. Body irregularly massive to digitate (up to 20 - 30 cm in diameter and height). Colour bright yellow in vivo and dramatically changing in a few minutes after collection or preservation (both alcohol and formalin, but also in dry conditions) into a very dark violet or most frequently pure black. Evident oscules on the top of sponge body or digitations. Sponge body surfaces seasonally covered by thin outgrowths (asexual propagules) up to 5 cm in length and 1 cm in diameter; outgrowths are lost by the mother-sponge as propagules at the end of summer. Consistency firm and fleshy. Surface smooth to slightly conulose, showing a fine (but evident) superficial fibrous network. Skeleton fragile, with fibres of a single dimensional class (80 - 150 µm) arranged in a regular three-dimensional scaffold. Fibre structure laminar with a large axial core (30 - 70 µm) inconspicuous in dry condition.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
E48B9A0C37494798822188359258CD5A.taxon	description	Description. Body shape constantly digitate (1 - 2 cm in diameter and 5 - 10 cm in height); each digitation bearing one oscule (1 - 3 mm) at the center of an evident apical depression. Digitations regularly arranged on a basal encrusting plate attending over 50 cm in diameter. Thin outgrowths extremely rare. Colour yellow, a little bit paler than that of Aplysina aerophoba. Colour tone changes after death, to medium violet in preserved specimens, never reaching very dark or black tonalities.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
454B46723CD279CE7358BF59224D0343.taxon	description	Description. Growth form encrusting, cushion-like without lobes, small size, thicker than that of Hexadella pruvoti. Colour bright yellow to paler in vivo, dark purple in ethanol after releasing a purple fluid. Surface entirely striated by irregularly crossing collagen ous reinforcements with some scattered, pointed conules; inconspicuous inhalant apertures and rare oscules. Ectosome rigid with collagen fibrils, nondetachable from the choanosome. Choanosome lacunar with large clusters of spherulous cells bearing large inclusions of microgranules and microgranular cells. Choanocyte chambers eurypylous, sac-shaped (ca. 30 x 20 µm in diameter). Bacteria (one type only) in the mesohyl. Aerophobins 1, 2 and isofistularin compounds with medium-high natural toxicity.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
9A7812740E3205DFBA73CA4E283715CF.taxon	description	Description. Growth form thinly encrusting and lobate, in large patches. Colour bright yellow in vivo, dark purple in alcohol after releasing a yellowish fluid. Surface finely conulose, entirely wrinkled by small evident collagenous reinforcements irregularly crossing and converging towards small conules, with inconspicuous inhalant apertures surrounding the tiny conules armed by debris. Large oscules in vivo, not visible after fixation in ethanol. Ectosome with bundles of collagen fibrils. Choanosome fragile with large clusters of spherulous cells with large inclusions of heterogeneous size, containing microgranules and microgranular cells. Choanocyte chambers (ca. 40 x 20 µm in diameter) eurypylous, densely packed with 40 - 60 choanocytes. Bacteria in the mesohyl. Aerophobins 1 and 2 compounds with medium-high natural toxicity.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
F81B990D10577E35B3EBB4E84E26A288.taxon	description	Description. Growth form encrusting, thin, with lobes in large patches. Colour faded to pale pink in vivo, brownish in ethanol after releasing of a yellow fluid. Surface highly wrinkled by small evident collagenous reinforcements irregularly crossing and converging towards small conules; well developed (when compared to Hexadella pruvoti and Hexadella crypta) star-shaped network of subdermal canals converging towards oscula; inhalant apertures inconspicuous. Oscules wide, at the apices of short chimneys. Ectosome notably thick. Choanosome soft, fleshy and fragile, difficult to cut. Large clusters of spherulous cells, common at the body surface, with large inclusions containing microgranules and microgranular cells; choanocyte chambers eurypylous (30 + / - 6.3 x 19 + / - 2 µm on average) in dense clusters. High natural toxicity.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
07578A336211E28CABE8EB600CDA87A8.taxon	description	Description. Growth form encrusting, lobate and thin. Colour bright to dark pink, to purple in vivo (brighter and deeper pink than Hexadella racovitzai), changing to brownish after releasing of a yellow fluid in ethanol. Surface smooth with subdermal canals, and wrinkled by small evident collagenous reinforcements irregularly crossing and converging towards small, tiny conules; foreign inclusions present. Inhalant apertures inconspicuous; oscules small, chimney-like, abundant, scattered. Ectosome with some bundles of collagen fibrils and a developed lacunar system. Spherulous cells in large clusters with large inclusions containing microgranules and microgranular cells. Choanocyte chambers (35 x 20 µm in diameter), choanocytes larger than in Hexadella racovitzai. Rod-shaped bacteria in the mesohyl. Low-moderate natural toxicity.	en	Manconi, Renata, Cadeddu, Barbara, Ledda, Fabio, Pronzato, Roberto (2013): An overview of the Mediterranean cave-dwelling horny sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae). ZooKeys 281: 1-68, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.281.4171
