Cladorhiza is a genus of carnivorous sponges, comprising around 40 species found in oceans around the world. Cladorhiza is the type genus of the family Cladorhizidae.

Cladorhiza
An undescribed species off the coast of New Zealand
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Porifera
Class: Demospongiae
Order: Poecilosclerida
Family: Cladorhizidae
Genus: Cladorhiza
Sars, 1872
Species

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Synonyms
List
  • Axoniderma Ridley & Dendy, 1887
  • Cladorrhiza [lapsus]
  • Exaxinata Laubenfels, 1936
  • Raoa Laubenfels, 1936
  • Trochoderma Ridley & Dendy, 1886

Description

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Species of Cladorhiza occur in a diverse range of shapes, some ranging from globular to spherical to conical, with others attaining a tree-like or bush-like appearance. Many species have a narrow stalk or stem. Most species range from 2 to 12 cm in height, with a few attaining heights of 20 to 40 cm.[1]

Species

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As of 2014, 40 valid species of Cladorhiza are recognized.[2]

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References

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  1. ^ Lehnert, H.; Watling, Les & Stone, R. (2005). "Cladorhiza corona sp. nov. (Porifera : Demospongiae : Cladorhizidae) from the Aleutian Islands (Alaska)". J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. U. K. 85: 1359–1366. doi:10.1017/s0025315405012531.
  2. ^ van Soest, R. (2014). Cladorhiza Sars, 1872. In: Van Soest, R.W.M; Boury-Esnault, N.; Hooper, J.N.A.; Rützler, K.; de Voogd, N.J.; Alvarez de Glasby, B.; Hajdu, E.; Pisera, A.B.; Manconi, R.; Schoenberg, C.; Janussen, D.; Tabachnick, K.R., Klautau, M.; Picton, B.; Kelly, M.; Vacelet, J.; Dohrmann, M.; Cristina Díaz, M.; Cárdenas, P. (2014) World Porifera database. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=131895 on 2014-04-20.