| Demospongiae |
Haplosclerida |
Chalinidae |
Chalinula molitba |
7 |
Light purple to pink to bluish branches or tangled tubes. De Weerdt (2000) included within this species a spongin-dominated morphotype and a spicule-dominating one. Here we include only specimens with spongin-dominated skeletons and use Chalinula pseudomolitba (de Weerdt, Rützler & Smith, 1991) for the spicule-dominated ones. It differs from Ch. pseudomolitba in having a loose network of spongin fibers (ascending and interconnecting) with a few embedded thin spicules. |
(de Laubenfels, 1949) |
blue,pink-lilac,purple-violet,branching,tube,massive,soft |
| Demospongiae |
Haplosclerida |
Chalinidae |
Chalinula pseudomolitba |
6 |
Light purple or pinkish cushions, even or with oscular mounds or fistules. We use this name for what de Weerdt (2000) refers to the spicule-dominated morph of Ch. molitba (de Laubenfels, 1949). This species is distinguished from the Ch. molitba in having a reticulation of single spicules, or tracts of few spicules, cemented by spongin. This form seems to be restricted to mangrove stilt roots in The Bahamas. The presence of tubes and fistules may one think that it is Haliclona (Reniera) tubifera (George & Wilson). |
(de Weerdt, Rützler & Smith, 1991) |
pink-lilac,purple-violet,massive,soft |
| Demospongiae |
Haplosclerida |
Chalinidae |
Chalinula zeae |
4 |
Orange encrustation with a whitish, transparent skin; oscules and exhalant canals conform a star pattern in the surface. Could be easily confused with Clathria species (order Poecilosclerida, family Microcionidae) except that it has oxeas as main spicules instead of styles or subtylostyles. |
de Weerdt, 2000 |
orange,cream,encrusting,soft |
