Family (Animalia): Mycalidae

Definition: Encrusting, massive (Mycale laevis on root), fan-shaped, cup-shaped and branching growth forms. Subectosomal sculpturing, grooves and ridges often found on the surface, within which are usually found the ostia. Radially arranged plumose skeleton or plumoreticulate skeleton, composed of styles or oxeas enclosed in spongin fibres. Without specialised ectosomal spicules, although choanosomal spicules may form dense brushes at the surface. Microscleres are characteristically palmate anisochelae and/or isochelae, sigmas, toxas and raphides.

Remarks: Members of this family range in habitat from tidal waters down to at least 5340 m (Hartman, 1982). Two valid genera are recognised here. Many subgenera are also in use, within Mycale, but the validity and status of some these is questionable.

Reference: species-identification.org