Family Vetulinidae Lendenfeld, 1903

Abstract

Vetulinidae Lendenfeld (Demospongiae, ‘lithistids’), including Anomocladina Sollas and Anomocladidae Sollas, contains only one genus and species, Vetulina stalactites Schmidt, 1879. Undoubted occurrences are only from the Caribbean (Barbados) from 126–601m depth. This species has neither ectosomal spicules nor microscleres, the only distinguishing character being anaxial and polyclad desmas (astroclones/sphaeroclones). It is related to the common Mesozoic sphaerocladine lithistids, probably being the only extant species of this lineage.