Polymastiidae is a family of
demosponge
Demosponges (Demospongiae) are the most diverse class in the phylum Porifera. They include 76.2% of all species of sponges with nearly 8,800 species worldwide (World Porifera Database). They are sponges with a soft body that covers a har ...
s found in oceans throughout the world. It is the only family in the monotypic order Polymastiida. A useful diagnostic characteristic of members of this family is the presence of numerous surface
papilla
Papilla (Latin, 'nipple') or papillae may refer to:
In animals
* Papilla (fish anatomy), in the mouth of fish
* Basilar papilla, a sensory organ of lizards, amphibians and fish
* Dental papilla, in a developing tooth
* Dermal papillae, part of ...
e although this feature is shown by some other sponges.
Genera
The following genera are recognised in the family Polymastiidae
* ''
Acanthopolymastia''
* ''
Astrotylus''
* ''
Atergia''
* ''
Koltunia''
* ''
Polymastia''
* ''
Proteleia''
* ''
Pseudotrachya''
* ''
Quasillina''
* ''
Radiella''
* ''
Ridleia''
* ''
Sphaerotylus''
* ''
Spinularia''
* ''
Tentorium''
* ''
Trachyteleia''
* ''
Tylexocladus''
* ''
Weberella''
References
North East Atlantic Taxa*
WoRMS - Polymastiidae Gray, 1867
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