Cook, S. de C. (2007). Clarification of dictyoceratid taxonomic characters, and the determination of genera. pp. 265-274. In: Custódio MR, Lôbo-Hajdu G, Hajdu E, Muricy G (eds) Porifera Research Biodiversity, Innovation and Sustainability, Série Livros 28. Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro.

47521

Cook, S. de C.

2007

Publication

Cook,2007.pdf 

Distinguishing between dictyoceratid families is relatively straight forward, but distinguishing genera and subgenera within some of those families can be difficult. Dictyoceratid genera are characterised by the presence, structure and organisation of skeletal elements, surface characters, choanocyte chambers, collagen, cortical armour and by their general form. There are published instances of misunderstood characters leading to unnecessary and erroneous reassignments or generic mis-diagnoses. There are also situations where authors have redefined genera to accommodate new species, to the point where generic descriptions become too broad, making the character boundaries of the genus indistinct. These factors have led to confusion when attempting to allocate dictyoceratid specimens to some genera. Previously published work by the author attempted to clarify some of these problems, but the aim here is to consolidate those clarifications of dictyoceratid characters into a single paper. Keys and descriptions of dictyoceratid genera are provided.

Systematics, Taxonomy

Porifera

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