Dysideidae [Dysideidae]

Description

Dysideidae is a family of marine sponges within the order Dictyoceratida, characterized by their brightly colored and often encrusting or lobate forms. These sponges possess a unique skeletal structure made up of a network of spongin fibers, without the presence of siliceous spicules. Found in various marine habitats, from shallow coral reefs to deeper slopes, Dysideidae sponges play a crucial role in nutrient cycling and provide structural complexity to their environments, serving as important ecological components in marine ecosystems.

Genera

Taxonomy