Polymastia is a genus of sea sponges containing about 30 species.[1] These are small to large encrusting or dome-shaped sponges with a smooth surface having many teat-shaped projections (papillae). In areas of strong wave action, this genus does not grow the teat structures, but instead grows in a corrugated form.[2]

Polymastia
The sponge Polymastia boletiformis, Scilly Isles, UK.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Porifera
Class: Demospongiae
Order: Polymastiida
Family: Polymastiidae
Genus: Polymastia
Bowerbank, 1863
Species

70+, see text

Synonyms
List
  • Pencillaria Gray, 1867
  • Polymastica [lapsus]
  • Rinalda Schmidt, 1870
  • Sideroderma Lendenfeld, 1883
  • Trichostemma Sars, 1869

Species

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The following species are recognised:[3]

References

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  1. ^ Boury-Esnault, N.; van Soest, R. (2016). Polymastia Bowerbank, 1862. 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.; Klautau, M.; Picton, B.; Kelly, M.; Vacelet, J.; Dohrmann, M.; Díaz, M.-C.; Cárdenas, P.; Carballo, J. L. (2016). World Porifera database. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species on 2017-02-17.
  2. ^ Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. and Beckley, L.E. 2010. Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa ISBN 978-1-77007-772-0
  3. ^ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Polymastia Bowerbank, 1862". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2019-04-12.