Family Halisarcidae Schmidt, 1862

Abstract

Halisarcidae Schmidt (Demospongiae, Halisarcida) are characterised by the presence of irregular tubular choanocyte chambers and the lack of any fibrous or mineral elements in the skeleton. The order contains one family and one genus (Halisarca) with 24 nominal species, however, many are so poorly described that they are unrecognisable, a number are certainly ascidians, and the number of valid species is probably around ten.