Iophon (sponge)
Iophon is a genus of sponges belonging to the family Acarnidae. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution.
Description
This genus contains species with non-fistulose, massive, branching or encrusting growth forms. The ectosomal skeleton is made of tylotes with microspined bases. The choanosomal skeleton is a rounded, triangular or square-meshed network of smooth or spined choanosomal styles, arranged singly or with 2-3 per row. The microscleres include bipocilla and palmate anisochelae with spurs. Bipocilla are unique to this genus. They are modified anisochela in which the wing-like alae are joined together by a short curved shaft. Toxas are absent.Species
The following species are recognised:- Iophon abnormalis
- Iophon aceratum
- Iophon bipocillum
- Iophon cheliferum
- Iophon chilense
- Iophon cylindricum
- Iophon dogieli
- Iophon dubium
- Iophon flabellodigitatum
- Iophon frigidum
- Iophon funis
- Iophon gaussi
- Iophon hesperidesi
- Iophon husvikense
- Iophon hyndmani
- Iophon indentatus
- Iophon koltuni
- Iophon laevistylus
- Iophon lamella
- Iophon laminale
- Iophon methanophila
- Iophon minor
- Iophon nigricans
- Iophon omnivorus
- Iophon ostiamagna
- Iophon parvachela
- Iophon piceum
- Iophon pictoni
- Iophon pluricorne
- Iophon pommeraniae
- Iophon proximum
- Iophon radiatum
- Iophon rayae
- Iophon roseum
- Iophon semispinosum
- Iophon spinulentum
- Iophon terranovae
- Iophon timidum
- Iophon tubiforme
- Iophon unicorne
- ''Iophon variopocillatum''