Family Guitarridae Dendy, 1924

Abstract

Guitarridae Dendy (Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida, Mycalina) includes species with typical mycalostyles and sigmancistras, lacking tridentate chelae, and having restricted architectural specialization shown by their megascleres (e.g., absence of echinating megascleres). Microscleres consist of placochelae-derivatives (placochelae, biplacochelae, dischelae and/or tetrapocillas), uniting genera irrespective of their disparate skeletal arrangements. The family includes seven nominal genera of which four are valid. A key for the valid genera is given.