Amphiporida


Amphiporida is an extinct order of stromatoporoid sponges which lived from the mid-late Silurian to the Late Devonian. Most amphiporids can be easily distinguished by their dendroid form, resembling a thicket of thin branches. Each 'branch' has an external frame-like 'sheath' surrounding the internal structure. Pillars and isolated longitudinal canals are typical internal components, though the overall texture is more irregular than in other stromatoporoids. Laminae or cyst plates perpendicular to the axis of growth may also develop in some species.
Amphiporida is an order with low diversity, and most species were restricted to waters corresponding to modern Asia. Nevertheless, some species of Amphipora managed to become widespread and abundant reef-builders during the Frasnian stage of the Late Devonian. The order contains a single family, Amphiporaidae. The family was previously spelled "Amphiporidae", but this was emended by the ICZN in 2013 to prevent confusion with a family of ribbon worms.

Taxonomy