| Main Ref. | Kirk, H.B., 1911 |
| Appearance refers to |
| specialized organs | |
| different appearance | |
| different colors | |
| remarks |
| Striking features | |
| Body shape lateral | |
| Cross section | |
| Dorsal head profile | |
| Type of eyes | |
| Type of mouth/snout | |
| Position of mouth | |
| Diagnosis | Massive; encrusting; harsh to touch. Numerous, low conical elevations present on upper surface, each terminating in a circular osculum. Brownish-gray. Primary fibres: radiates from gastral cavity wall to surface; cored by a smooth styli strand, 1 to 4 spicules thick; spicules direct towards the surface, 1 or 2 styli may project from the end. Secondary fibres: creates right-angled meshes with the primary fibres; seldom with spicules. Smooth and spined styli sparsely echinate both primary and secondary fibres in equal numbers. Echinating spicule projects perpendicular to the fibre, with base imbedded in the spongin. No special dermal skeleton. Abundant, indefinitely-arranged smooth styli present in the sponge-flesh. Spicules: megascleres all styli; fairly stout spicules with well-rounded base, with broadest part about 1/3 of the length from base; usually run abruptly to a sharp point; spined styles occur as echinating spicules only. Microscleres: isochelae, palmate; distinct indentation on the convex side present if spicule lies on its side. Few simple stigmata, larger than isochelae. Toxa: slender; sharp; well-marked primary curve usually present, feeble secondary curves (Ref. 88951). |
| Ease of Identification |
| Lateral Lines | Interrupted: No |
| Scales on lateral line | |
| Pored lateral line scales | |
| Scales in lateral series | |
| Scale rows above lateral line | |
| Scale rows below lateral line | |
| Scales around caudal peduncle | |
| Barbels | |
| Gill clefts (sharks/rays only) | |
| Gill rakers | |
| on lower limb | |
| on upper limb | |
| total | |
| Vertebrae | |
| preanal | |
| total |
| Attributes | |
| Fins number | |
| Finlets No. | Dorsal |
| Ventral | |
| Spines total | |
| Soft-rays total | |
| Adipose fin |
| Attributes |
| Fins number | |
| Spines total | |
| Soft-rays total |
| Pectoral | Attributes |
| spines | |
| soft-rays | |
| Pelvics | Attributes |
| Position | |
| spines | |
| soft-rays |