taxonID	type	description	language	source
FA0014436867FFFCFC9DFF26FEB1FCCB.taxon	description	Adreus * Axos * Hemiasterella Acanthoclada Alloscleria Alveospngia Desmoxya Didiscus Heteroxya Julavis Microxistyla Myrmekioderma Negombo Parahigginsia Acanthoclada * Halicnemia * Higginsia * Paratimea * Stelligera * Plenaster † Heteroxyidae Alloscleria (Axinellida) Alveospongia Heteroxya * Julavis Raspailiidae (Axinellida) Desmoxyidae (Poecilosclerida) Hemiasterellidae (Tethyida) Microxistyla Myrmekioderma pars. * Negombo Parahigginsia Myrmekioderma pars. * Didiscus * Desmoxya * Adreus * Axos * Hemiasterella With the exception of Hooper & Van Soest (2002), these studies were not complete taxonomic reviews but rather faunas of a particular region, and therefore they include only the genera that were represented in their chosen area. * There are supporting molecular data. † Molecular data do not support the allocation of Plenaster to Stelligeridae (taxonomic affinities will be discussed in a separate manuscript). Dendy (1905) established the subfamily Heteroxyinae for Heteroxya Topsent, 1898 and his new genus Acanthoxifer. Later, Dendy (1922) added Higginsia and Halicnemia to a section, Heteroxyeae, in the subfamily Axinellinae. Dendy (1922) agreed with Topsent (1897) and treated Bubaris constellata as a species of Halicnemia; he stated: ‘ Nor do I imagine that H. constellata, on account of its pseudasters, need be considered as the type of a distinct genus’. Topsent (1928) proposed the family Astraxinellidae Dendy, 1905 for the group Halicnemia, Higginsia, Vibulinus Gray, 1867 (= Stelligera; synonymy by Hooper, 2002) and Hemiasterella and retained Heteroxyinae for Heteroxya and Acanthoxifer. He assigned four families to Halichondrina Vosmaer, 1887: Axinellidae; Astraxinellidae; Heteroxyidae Dendy, 1905; and Bubaridae Topsent, 1894. Dendy (1905) introduced the name Astraxinellidae briefly and rather flippantly: Some of the old group Axinellidae (e. g. Vibulinus, with asterose microscleres) must likewise be included in this sub-order, and it may prove necessary to institute a new family – Astraxinellidae – for their reception. Given that there is no genus Astraxinella, the family name Astraxinellidae is invalid. For reasons of priority, Morrow et al. (2012) resurrected Stelligeridae for the clade that contained Halicnemia, Paratimea and Stelligera. Lendenfeld (1898) gave the following diagnosis for Stelligeridae: Euastrosa with a spongin skeleton, which either just glues the megascleres together or is highly abundant like in Axinella. This family includes the two genera, Stelligera (with monactine megascleres and additional diactines) and Hemiasterella (with only diactine megascleres). In the Adriatic, they are represented by genus Stelligera. Laubenfels (1936) subdivided Axinellidae into two subfamilies, Axinellinae and Higginsinae, for genera that are similar to typical Axinellidae but possess microsclere oxeas that are frequently spiny. Lévi (1955) synonymized Higginsinae with Desmoxyinae because Higginsia, the type genus of Laubenfels’ subfamily, was included in Desmoxyinae and Desmoxya, the type genus of Desmoxyinae, was included in Higginsinae by Laubenfels. Lévi (1955) also then raised Desmoxyinae to family rank. Lévi (1953) erected a new order, Axinellida, containing the family Axinellidae, which had previously been classified in Halichondrida (Topsent, 1928; Laubenfels, 1936) and assigned Desmoxyidae Hallmann, 1917, Heteroxyidae and Astraxinellidae (for axinellids with asterose microscleres) to it. Later, Lévi (1973) used Hemiasterellidae, rather than Astraxinellidae, for axinellids with asters (Hemiasterella, Adreus, Paratimea and Stelligera). Bergquist (1970) and Wiedenmayer (1977) adopted the classification of Lévi (1955) and used Desmoxyidae for axinellids with microscleres in the form of spined or smooth microxeas. Bergquist (1970) established the genus Acanthoclada and assigned it to Desmoxyidae. Van Soest et al. (1990), in a study using morphocladistics, called for the abandonment of Axinellida and the allocation of Desmoxyidae to Halichondrida and Hemiasterellidae to Hadromerida Topsent, 1894 (see Morrow et al., 2013). Van Soest et al. (1990) assigned Myrmekioderma Ehlers, 1870 and Didiscus Dendy, 1922 to Halichondriidae Gray, 1867, a classification followed by Díaz et al. (1993). Later, Van Soest & Lehnert (1997) returned Myrmekioderma and Didiscus to Desmoxyidae. The monotypic genus, Desmoxya Hallmann, 1917, was created for Higginsia lunata Carter, 1885. Hooper & Lévi (1993) synonymized Desmoxya and Dendropsis Ridley & Dendy, 1886 with Higginsia Higgin, 1877 based on the shared apomorphy of spined microxeas, but they highlighted that there were major skeletal differences and that Desmoxya might need to be resurrected to accommodate Higginsia- like species that lack any evidence of axial and extra-axial skeletons, such as Higginsia lunata and their new species, Higginsia anfractuosa. The discovery of another species, Desmoxya pelagiae Van Soest & Hooper, 2005, from the cold-water coral reefs of the North Atlantic led to the resurrection of Desmoxya. Van Soest & Hooper (2005) considered Desmoxyidae synonymous with Heteroxyidae and changed the family to which Halicnemia, Higginsia, Desmoxya etc. were assigned from Desmoxyidae to Heteroxyidae.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436869FFF4FEF0FA08FCFAF8C9.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis (modified from Hooper, 2002 b): Stelligeridae with erect branching growth form; choanosome composed of axial region of styles and oxea and extra-axial region of long projecting styles perpendicular to axis and styles / oxea, forming an irregular reticulation; ectosomal skeleton composed of bouquets of slender styles surrounding protruding extra-axial styles; smooth-rayed euaster microscleres form an ectosomal crust. Produces copious amounts of slime on collection. Type species: Stelligera stuposa (Ellis & Solander, 1786).	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436869FFF4FC85FDB8FBADF999.taxon	description	Stelligera stelligera (Schmidt, 1862) Stelligera stuposa f. stuposa (Ellis & Solander, 1786) Vibulinus stuposus (Ellis & Solander, 1786) Material examined: BELUM Mc 814, N. of Chapel Island, Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland, 54 ° 23.60 ′ N, 5 ° 35.94 ′ W, 25 m, 15 June 1982, collected B. Picton, determined B. Picton. BELUM Mc 4330, Sligneach Mor, Loch Sunart, Scotland, 56 ° 40.272 ′ N, 5 ° 58.731 ′ W, 25 m, 30 June 2008, coll. C. Goodwin, det. C. Goodwin. DNA sequences: From BELUM Mc 4330, we sequenced partial CO 1 (GenBank accession no. HQ 379421) and 28 S (D 1 – D 2, D 3 – D 5 and D 6 – D 8, GenBank accession nos HQ 379220, HQ 379286 and HQ 379354, respectively). The GenBank 18 S sequence (KC 902232) is from this specimen. Remarks: Voultsiadou-Koukoura & Van Soest (1991) suggested that Stelligera stelligera (Schmidt, 1862), type locality Adriatic Sea, might be the same species as Stelligera stuposa (Ellis & Solander, 1786), type locality British Isles. Hooper (2002 b) re-examined the type material and synonymized Stelligera stelligera with Stelligera stuposa, making Stelligera stuposa the type species of Stelligera.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436869FFF4FF0DFE2DFE8DFA08.taxon	diagnosis	Emended diagnosis: Axinellida in which the choanaosomal skeleton can be composed of styles, tylostyles, oxeas or rhabdostyles. Ectosomal region often with protruding megascleres surrounded by bouquets of smaller, slender accessory oxeas or styles. Ectosomal crust heavily reinforced with microscleres. Accessory oxeas often with centrotylote swellings, occasionally with fissurate terminations. Microscleres can be smooth-rayed euasters; spined microxeas often bent or centrangulate or acanthose cladotoxas and birotules. Where known, reproduction is oviparous. Presence of cells with granular inclusions in most species. All produce slime on collection. Included genera: Acanthoclada Bergquist, 1970 (p. 22, pl. 5 b, pl. 10 a, f, pl. 16 a, b); Halicnemia Bowerbank, 1864 (p. 184); Higginsia Higgin, 1877 (p. 291); Paratimea Hallmann, 1917 (p. 675); Plenaster Lim & Wiklund, 2017 (although see remarks below); Stelligera Gray, 1867 (p. 545). Type genus: Stelligera Gray, 1867. Remarks: A detailed description of the morphological characters that unite Stelligeridae is given in the Discussion. The molecular trees of Lim et al. (2017) clearly show that Plenaster is not a stelligerid; the taxonomic affinities of this genus will be part of a future manuscript.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436869FFF7FC45F99FFE29FC7F.taxon	description	Stelligera stuposa f. rigida (Montagu, 1818) Vibulinus rigidus (Montagu, 1818) Material examined: BELUM Mc 975, Blockhouse I s l a n d, C a r l i n g f o r d L o u g h, N o r t h e r n I r e l a n d, 54 ° 01.45 ′ N, 6 ° 04.70 ′ W, 15 m, 21.07.1983, coll. B. Picton, det. B. Picton. BELUM Mc 4357, Wreck of the Rondo, Sound of Mull, Scotland, 56 ° 32.33 ′ N, 5 ° 54.81 ′ W, 32 m, 02.07.2008, coll. B. Picton, det. B. Picton. DNA sequences: From BELUM Mc 4357, we sequenced partial CO 1 (GenBank accession no. HQ 379420) and 28 S (D 1 – D 2, D 3 – D 5 and D 6 – D 8, GenBank accession nos HQ 379219, HQ 379285 and HQ 379353, respectively). The GenBank 18 S sequence (KC 902164) is from this specimen. Remarks: Hooper (2002 b) speculated that Stelligera rigida (Montagu, 1818) from the British Isles and Stelligera nux Lendenfeld, 1898 from the Mediterranean might be synonyms of Stelligera stuposa, although the types were not examined. From extensive collecting of Stelligera stuposa and Stelligera rigida from areas close or adjacent to the type locality, we can verify that differences in external morphology are consistent with small differences in aster morphology. There were also small differences between the two taxa using complete 18 S rRNA (Supporting Information, Fig. S 2) and partial fragments of 28 S rRNA (Supporting Information, Figs S 3, S 5), but the CO 1 Folmer fragment (Supporting Information, Fig. S 4) was identical for the two species.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA001443686AFFF6FCB7FEE5FED2FF6D.taxon	description	(FIG. 2 A – D)	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA001443686AFFF6FCB7FEE5FED2FF6D.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Holotype MNHN-DT- 2361 Roscoff (only a microscope slide of the type specimen remains). Description: Megascleres: long, slender tylostyles 2500 – 3000 µm × 13 – 14 µm (these measurements are taken from the original description; in the slide from the holotype that we examined, only one tylostyle was intact, which measured 2 mm), subtrilobate head 17 µm (Fig. 2 A). A c c e s s o r y o x e a s: c e n t r o t y l o t e o x e a s 3 7 9 – 6 7 0 – 900 µm × 8 – 10 µm (Fig. 2 B, C). Microscleres: smooth-rayed euasters 14 – 30 – 46 µm (Fig. 2 D). Remarks: This species is very similar to Paratimea loennbergi, with the exception that in Paratimea loennbergi there are two categories of tylostyles: long, slender tylostyles, with a globular to subtrilobate head (> 2 mm × 32 µm), similar to those of Paratimea constellata and, in addition, distinctive short tylostyles that are stout and club-like, with a pear-shaped, annulated head. These are found only in the base of the sponge, where it is in contact with the substratum. It is possible that these two taxa are conspecific, but that the microscope preparations made from Paratimea constellata did not include the basal layer with the distinctive short tylostyles. Unfortunately, the type material of Paratimea constellata is missing, and it is not possible to ascertain whether the basal layer, if present, contained the short, club-like tylostyles. Therefore, we retain Paratimea constellata and Paratimea loennbergi as two separate species until fresh material from the type locality can eventually be examined and sequenced. We have examined specimens from the Ulster Museum collection identified as Paratimea constellata. The spiculation and skeletal architecture is identical to that of Paratimea loennbergi, and the material has been re-identified accordingly. Records of Paratimea constellata from the coasts of Britain and Ireland (Picton et al., 2007) should be attributed to Paratimea loennbergi. The GenBank sequences for Paratimea constellata listed by Morrow et al. (2012) (HQ 379218, HQ 379397, HQ 379284, HQ 379352 and HQ 379419) have been changed to Paratimea loennbergi.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA001443686AFFF7FF21FBE0FD0FF8CF.taxon	diagnosis	Emended diagnosis: Stelligeridae with encrusting or massive growth form. Choanosomal skeleton lax; encrusting species have hymedesmioid skeletal architecture consisting of erect tylostyles and paratangential tracts of centrotylote or polytylote ectosomal oxea. Massive species have oxeote megascleres, arranged without order. Oxea are also scattered throughout the choanosome in dragmata. Microscleres are smooth-rayed euasters, most abundant in the surface layer. Produce slime on collection. Type species: Paratimea constellata (Topsent, 1893). Included species: Paratimea alijosensis Austin, 1996, Paratimea arbuscula (Topsent, 1928), Paratimea aurantiaca sp. nov., Paratimea azorica (Topsent, 1904), Paratimea camelus (Van Soest, 2017) comb. nov., Paratimea constellata (Topsent, 1893), Paratimea dentata sp. nov., Paratimea duplex (Topsent, 1927), Paratimea galaxa Laubenfels, 1936, Paratimea globastrella Van Soest, Kaiser & van Syoc, 2011, Paratimea hoffmannae sp. nov., Paratimea lalori sp. nov., Paratimea loennbergi (Alander, 1942), Paratimea loricata (Sarà, 1958), Paratimea mosambicensis sp.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA001443686BFFF6FF73FEFEFE6BFBA1.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Holotype RMNH Por. 9924, S u r i n a m e, ‘ L u y m e s O. C. P. S. I I ’ G u y a n a S h e l f Expedition, station M 97, 7 ° 18.498 ′ N, 54 °. 10.002 ′ W, depth 130 m, bottom coarse sand, 16 April 1969. DNA sequences: We sequenced the CO 1 Folmer fragment from the holotype (GenBank accession no. MK 096539). Remarks: The CO 1 gene tree (Supporting Information, Fig. S 4) shows Paratimea camelus clustering closely with Paratimea oxeata, inside Stelligeridae, and the pairwise identity matrix (Supporting Information, Fig. S 6) shows 99.85 % similarity between the two species. A re-examination of the holotype found a raspailiid surface architecture, typical of many stelligerids. The smaller oxyspherasters reported by Van Soest (2017; fig. 109 e) are considered to be contaminants, because we did not find any in our spicule preparations or tissue section. These asters are very different from those found in other Stelligeridae and are likely to be contamination from a tethyid sponge.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA001443686BFFF6FED4FBA7FC58FB2B.taxon	description	(FIG. 3 A – D; REPRODUCED FROM TOPSENT, 1928: PL. 6, FIG. 21) Material examined: Type material: Holotype MNHN-DT- 1094, dried specimen, station 1116, 50 miles off the coast of Mogador, Morocco, 31 ° 43.50 ′ N, 10 ° 46.75 ′ W, 2165 m, 11 July 1901; habitat: pink mud made up of Foraminifera (slide only). Paratypes: MNHN-DT- 1093, station 1116 (see above), specimen in alcohol; MNHN-DT- 1191, station 1242, Banc de Seine, France, 240 m, 10 September 1901; habitat: broken shell and gravel (slide only). ZMA POR 19447 (slide only), Porcupine Bank, west of Ireland, 55 ° 26.64 ′ N, 16 ° 04.5 ′ W, 6 September 2004, 773 m, Box Core, RV Pelagia, coll. R. W. M. Van Soest. Paratype Halicnemia duplex MNHN-DT- 1093, station 1116, 31 ° 43.5 ′ N, 10 ° 46.75 ′ W, 50 miles from Mogador, Morocco, 11 July 1901, 2165 m, Prince Albert of Monaco cruises. Description: Outer morphology: Topsent (1928) describes two specimens from station 1116 as growing on the deep-water coral Desmophyllum pertusum (Linnaeus, 1758); the type is cushion shaped, 3 mm thick, with a conulose surface. Colour: Topsent (1928) describes the colour as greyish in alcohol. Choanosomal skeleton: Principal spicules have a disordered arrangement, spongin lacking, making the skeleton lax and friable. Asters abundant throughout skeleton. Ectosomal skeleton: Tufts of centrotylote oxeas encircle large oxea, which occupy the axis of the conule; asters very abundant (Fig. 3 D). Megascleres: Megascleres are centrotylote oxeas 2.0 – 2.6 mm × 20 – 40 mm, and styles to subtylostyles 1.6 – 1.8 mm × 25 – 35 µm (Fig. 3 A – C). A c c e s s o r y o x e a s: We a k l y c e n t r o t y l o t e o x e a s, 360 – 770 µm. × 7 – 9 µm. Microscleres: Microscleres are oxyasters without centrum, smooth rayed, with rays of unequal lengths. Asters 50 – 100 µm in diameter, with 10 – 15 rays (Fig. 3 A, C). Remarks: Topsent (1928) notes that Paratimea duplex is unusual in having a mix of oxeas, styles and tylostyles as the principal megascleres. The oxea are much more common and are larger than the styles or tylostyles.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA001443686BFFF6FCADFB3BFB47FABC.taxon	description	(FIG. 2 E, F)	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA001443686BFFE9FCEBFAEAFF04FAEC.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Holotype SMNH 1229 (wet specimen), Väderöfjord, Sweden, 60 m, coll. H. Alander. New spicule preparations were made. BELUM Mc 5290, Aberreidy Quarry, Pembrokshire, Wales, 51 ° 56.273 ′ N, 5 ° 12.512 ′ W, 13 m, 30 July 2009, coll. B. Picton. det. C. Morrow.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA001443686BFFE9FCEBFAEAFF04FAEC.taxon	description	BELUM Mc 4323, Loch Caolisport, Firth of Lorn, Scotland, 55 ° 51.159 ′ N, 5 ° 43.142 ′ W, 34 m, 24 June 2008, coll. B. Picton, det. C. Morrow. BELUM Mc 7417, Ramsö, Kosterfjord, Sweden, 58 ° 49.710 ′ N, 11 ° 04.992 ′ E, 25 m, 7 September 2010, coll. B. Picton, det. C. Morrow. ZMA POR 20296, Mingulay Reef, Outer Hebrides, Scotland, 56 ° 49.404 ′ N, 7 ° 23.862 ′ W, 139 m, 11 July 2006, coll. R. W. M. Van Soest, det. C. Morrow. Description: Outer morphology: Forms a thin, hispid crust, usually covered in silt trapped by projecting spicules.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436875FFE8FF0EFC9AFC55FE8C.taxon	description	(FIG. 4 A – E) Material examined: S 153, Trémies Cave, Calanque coast, France, Mediterranean Sea, 43 ° 11.8573 ′ N, 5 ° 30.6022 ′ E, 4 July 1981 (Jean Vacelet’s Collection, Marine Station of Endoume). Description: Outer morphology: Massive lobose, surface conulose, oscules arranged on top of raised humps (Fig. 4 A).	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436876FFEBFF15FDEBFE19FC6E.taxon	description	(FIG. 5 A – F) Material examined: Holotype BELUM Mc 5226, Abercastle, North Pembrokeshire, Wales, 52 ° 00.069 ′ N, 5 ° 05.655 ′ W, 27.6 m, 29 July 2009, coll. B. Picton. Paratype BELUM Mc 2937, Duncan’s Bo, Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland, UK, 55 ° 18.7183 ′ N, 6 ° 15.1238 ′ W, 32 m, 6 September 2005, coll. B. Picton. L S I D: u r n: l s i d: z o o b a n k. o r g: a c t: 8 7 4 7 0 E 8 9 - 177 F- 4350 - B 8 C 2 - C 0 CAAFED 34 C 7 Description: Outer morphology: Thinly encrusting, with a hispid surface (Fig. 5 E).	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436877FFEAFF3DFD90FC06FD2A.taxon	description	(FIG. 6 A – F) Material examined: Holotype BELUM Mc 6884, Les Dents, Channel Isles, 49 ° 25.5270 ′ N, 2 ° 23.7130 ′ W, 26 m, 28 June 2010, coll. B. Picton. LSID: urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: ED 7 CD 719 - 53 D 1 - 4 B 74 - 8 C 40 - 145 FEA 6850 E 6 Description: Outer morphology: Thinly encrusting, with a hispid surface (Fig. 6 E). Colour: Bright yellow; Methuen colour code 3 A 4 (Kornerup & Wanscher, 1978; Fig. 6 E). Choanosomal skeleton: Hymedesmoid arrangement, consisting of erect, long tylostyles and ascending bundles of centrotylote oxeas scattered throughout the skeleton (Fig. 6 F). Cells with granular inclusions are abundant throughout the choanosome. Ectosomal skeleton: Bundles of centrotylote oxeas penetrate the surface, giving it its hispid appearance; oxyasters are common in the surface layer. Megascleres: Tylostyles – subtylostyles, 1660 – 1890 – 2100 µm × 8 – 10 µm (N = 4); the base is 13 – 16 µm (Fig. 6 A). A c c e s s o r y o x e a s: C e n t r o t y l o t e o x e a 3 7 0 – 4 1 2 – 460 µm × 2 – 4 – 5 µm; centrotylote swelling 3.0 – 5.7 – 7.6 µm (Fig. 6 B). Both ends of the oxea are dentate, with approximately six ‘ teeth’ (Fig. 6 C). Microscleres: Microscleres are smooth oxyasters, 15 – 17 – 19 µm in diameter; the diameter of the centrum is ~ 6 µm. In the SEM of the aster (Fig. 6 D), 23 conical rays are visible.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436871FFECFF27FA17FC07FD8B.taxon	description	(FIG. 8 A – H) Material examined: Holotype BELUM Mc 7732, west of Ireland, 54 ° 03.7806 ′ N, 12 ° 24.987 ′ W, Celtic Explorer Biodiscovery Cruise, 25 May 2010, 1500 m, ROV Holland I, coll. Christine Morrow. LSID: urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: CF 306 ABB- 34 D 7 - 448 F- 8 F 17 - 057 D 18016 BBF Description: Outer morphology: The type specimen was growing on dead Desmophyllum pertusum coral. It is spherical in shape, ~ 2.5 cm in diameter, with oscules arranged in a cluster on the upper surface of the sponge. The surface is slightly uneven owing to the presence of minute conules (Fig. 8 A). Choanosomal skeleton: Very little spongin present, giving a lax, friable texture. Megascleres distributed w i t h o u t o r d e r; a s t e r s d i s t r i b u t e d t h r o u g h o u t choanosome. Ectosomal skeleton: Ectosomal oxeas form bouquets around central large oxea but do not protrude much beyond the surface (Fig. 8 B). Asters form a dense ectosomal layer.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA001443687CFFE1FCF9FF16FB66FDF7.taxon	description	(FIG. 10 A – F) Material examined: Holotype MNHN-IP- 2015 - 1236, Iles Glorieuses, Mozambique Channel, 11 ° 29 ′ S, 47 ° 29 ′ E, BIOMAGLO expedition, 25 January 2017, station DW 4812, 390 – 417 m, field # PMG 158, coll. Cécile Debitus. LSID: urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: 5 FBDFF 5 A- 225 A- 42 F 7 - 97 B 3 - C 7 D 711 C 4 E 396 Description: Outer morphology: Globular, ~ 4 cm in diameter, with oscules and radiating oscular channels on the upper surface (Fig. 10 A).	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA001443687DFFE0FF24FAABFD1BF90C.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: see Hooper (2002). Type species: Halicnemia patera Bowerbank, 1864. Included species: The WPD (Van Soest et al., 2018) lists eight species, but only three of these species (Halicnemia patera, Halicnemia salomonensis Dendy, 1922 and Halicnemia verticillata) were examined in this study.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA001443687DFFE0FF22F909FDD6F88E.taxon	description	(FIG. 11 A – F)	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA001443687DFFE0FCEBFF17FC62FA6B.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Syntypes: BMNH 10.1.1.2459 / 2460 Shetland, 1863 (Norman Collection, dried specimen and slide) (Fig. 11 A). BMNH 1925.11. 1.326 North Sea, near Shetland Islands, 330 m, 60 ° 34 ′ N, 2 ° 04 ′ E (‘ Goldseeker’ Collection).	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA001443687DFFE0FCEBFF17FC62FA6B.taxon	description	BMNH Bk 471 from Shetland (collected by Mr Peach, identified as the holotype for Halicnemia inflata). D e s c r i p t i o n: (B M N H 1 0.1.1. 2 4 5 9 / 2 4 6 0) O u t e r morphology: Discoid, free-living sponge, with a fringe of spicules bordering the outer margin, ~ 2 cm in diameter. Megascleres: Long tylostyles (Fig. 11 B), 2450 – 2670 µm × 21 – 29 µm (at neck; N = 3), slightly trilobate head, 40 µm across, occasionally with a second tylote swelling near the base (Fig. 11 C). In addition to the large tylostyles there are also short, bulbous tylostyles (Fig. 11 E), 294 – 488 – 833 µm × 12 – 19 – 26 µm (at neck), with a globular shaped head, 25 – 33 – 40 µm. Frequently, there is a second tylote swelling on the shaft of the short tylostyles (Fig. 11 E). Accessory oxeas: Centrotylote (Fig. 11 D), usually with one central swelling, although two swellings equidistant of the centre is also common. Occasional oxeas have three swellings, and some have no swellings, only a V-shaped bend in the middle, reminiscent of a hairpin (Fig. 11 E). They measure 1350 – 1620 – 1930 µm × 6 – 10.4 – 12 µm. Microscleres: Centrangulate acanthoxeas (Fig. 11 F), 127 – 154 – 175 µm × 7 – 9 – 12 µm. Remarks: Halicnemia patera BMNH 1996.10.639 off Jenny’s Cove, Lundy, Bristol Channel, 22 m, coll. J. D. George 1985, det. S. M. Stone coll. no. L 5639 non patera. This specimen matches Topsent’s description of Halicnemia gallica (Topsent, 1893), which was later synonymized with Halicnemia patera by Topsent (1897), but is recognized here as a valid species.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA001443687DFFE2FC41F996FE83FAFA.taxon	description	(FIG. 12 A – D)	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA001443687DFFE2FC41F996FE83FAFA.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Neotype (here designated) BELUM Mc 5427, Huw’s Reef, Pembrokeshire, Wales, 51 ° 57.845 ′ N, 5 ° 07.546 ′ W, 17 m, 4 August 2009, coll. B. Picton, det. C. Morrow (in situ photograph, Fig. 12 A). BELUM Mc 6677, Channel Isles (UK), 49 ° 26.73 ′ N, 2 ° 22.15 ′ W, 23 m, 23 June 2010, coll. Jen Jones, det. C. Morrow.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA001443687DFFE2FC41F996FE83FAFA.taxon	description	ZMA POR 4835, Baie de la Tortue, Roscoff, France, 48 ° 41.28 ′ N, 3 ° 53.04 ′ W, 15 m, 8 June 1982, coll. W. H. de Weerdt, det. C. Morrow. Description: (BELUM Mc 5427) Outer morphology: The neotype is a small encrusting sponge, ~ 3 cm × 4 cm in area by 2 – 3 mm in thickness. The surface is covered in conules (Fig. 12 A).	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436878FFE5FCBBFF17FC24FD5C.taxon	description	(FIG. 13 A, B) M a t e r i a l e x a m i n e d: H o l o t y p e, H a l i c n e m i a salomonensis Dendy, 1922 (p. 128, pl. 17, fig. 9 a – c) BMNH 21.11.7.109 RN CXXIV. 4, Salomon Islands, Indian Ocean, 75 fathoms (137 m), (spicule slide only). Description: Megascleres: Megascleres are stout styles, often irregularly bent (Fig. 13 A). Microscleres: The acanthoxea are different from the acanthoxea in other Halicnemia species. Dendy (1922) described them as ‘ trichites’. They measure 49 – 80 – 119 µm (Fig. 13 B). It is not possible to say with any certainty whether this species belongs in Halicnemia or elsewhere in the classification; for now, we retain it in Halicnemia.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436878FFE4FC9BFCC3FEB4F8D5.taxon	description	(FIG. 14 A – F)	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436878FFE4FC9BFCC3FEB4F8D5.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Syntypes BMNH 10.1.1.2389 – 2392, Porcupine Expedition 1868, 345 fathoms (631 m), 40 miles NNW of Shetland, Norman Collection (slide only). BMNH 10.1.1.2388, Trondheim, Norway, Norman Collection (slide only).	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436878FFE4FC9BFCC3FEB4F8D5.taxon	description	BMNH 1406.70.5.3.21, Marquesas, Florida (Schmidt, 1870). BELUM Mc 6786, Boue Tirlipois, Channel Isles, 49 ° 24.427 ′ N, 2 ° 23.183 ′ W, 36 m, 25 June 2010, coll. B. Picton, det. C. Morrow. BELUM Mc 5018, Galway Bay, Ireland, 53 ° 15.080 ′ N, 9 ° 59.420 ′ W, 38 m, 17 August 1993, coll. C. Morrow, det. C. Morrow. BELUM Mc 2018.4, Whittard Canyon, Ireland, 54 ° 03.36 ′ N, 12 ° 33.28 ′ W, Event 15, 1400 m, 4 June 2013, coll. C. Morrow, det. C. Morrow. Field # 40 - 10 (6), off Tromsø, Sotbakken, Northern Norway, 70 ° 45.46 ′ N, 18 ° 40.48 ′ E, Polarstern ARK-XXII / 1 a expedition, van veen grab, station 40 - 10, 18 June 2007, 273 m, coll. P. Cárdenas., det. P. Cárdenas. Description: (BMNH 10.1.1.2389) Megascleres: Large tylostyles 2 – 3 mm × 4 – 7 µm (N = 4), tylostyle head 10 – 16 µm (Fig. 14 A). A c c e s s o r y o x e a s: C e n t r o t y l o t e o x e a 6 0 0 – 800 µm × 5 – 10 µm; centrotylote swelling 10 – 17 µm. The centrotylote oxeas have distinctive fissurate ends (Fig. 14 C). Microscleres: Acanthoxeas in a wide range of sizes (50 – 400 µm × 5 – 10 µm), with spines arranged in verticils (Fig. 14 D). Reproduction: The presence of oocytes was observed in BELUM Mc 6786, collected in June from the channel Islands, 36 m.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA001443687BFFE6FF6CF9A4FA52F92A.taxon	description	(FIG. 15 A – G) Material examined: Holotype BELUM Mc 4307, NW of Cath Sgeir, Gigha, Firth of Lorn, Scotland, 55 ° 39.87 ′ N, 5 ° 47.68998 ′ W, 29 m, 24 June 2008, coll. B. Picton. Paratypes: BELUM Mc 3493 E of Black Rock, Skerries, Northern Ireland, 55 ° 13.51272 ′ N, 6 ° 36.54282 ′ W, 29 m, 25 August 2006, coll. B. Picton; BELUM Mc 3736 Labhra Cliff, Lough Hyne, Co Cork, Ireland, 51 ° 30.0546 ′ N, 9 ° 18.1338 ′ W, 12 m, 10 April 2007, coll. B. Picton; BELUM Mc 5406 Ynys Deullyn, North Pembrokeshire, Wales, 51 ° 57.91998 ′ N, 5 ° 08.45802 ′ W, 16 m, 3 August 2009, coll. B. Picton. L S I D: u r n: l s i d: z o o b a n k. o r g: a c t: D C E 9 F F 6 2 - 21 B 0 - 4840 - 9788 - 3 C 68523150 A 5 Description: Outer morphology: Thinly encrusting, with a hispid surface covered in silt. The holotype is ~ 15 mm × 10 mm (Fig. 15 G). Colour: Pale yellow, Methuen colour code 3 A 4 (Kornerup & Wanscher, 1978; Fig. 15 G). Choanosomal skeleton: Hymedesmoid arrangement consisting of erect, long tylostyles and bundles of long, slender, centrotylote oxeas scattered throughout the skeleton. Smaller, club-like tylostyles present in basal layer. Cells with granular content are abundant throughout the choanaosomal tissue (Fig. 15 F). Ectosomal skeleton: Large tylostyles penetrate the surface, surrounded by supporting bundles of centrotylote oxeas. Acanthoxeas form a dense paratangential layer beneath the surface (Fig. 15 F). Megascleres: Megascleres are very long, thin tylostyles, 1000 – 2800 µm × 5 – 7 µm (N = 6), with a base only slightly swollen (9 – 12 µm) (Fig. 15 A). In addition to long tylostyles, there are small club-like tylostyles, 160 – 215 – 340 µm × 7 – 13 – 20 µm at the widest part of the shaft and 13 – 20 – 29 µm at the base (Fig. 15 B). Accessory oxeas: Centrotylote oxeas, with centrotylote swelling not always obvious. The oxeas are 430 – 560 – 660 µm × 2.5 – 3.5 – 5.0 µm (Fig. 15 C – D). Microscleres: Microscleres are angular acanthoxeas, 90 – 100 – 110 µm × 4 – 5 – 9 µm (Fig. 15 E). The spines are relatively large, ~ 3 – 4 µm in length. The term microsclere is widely used for the acanthoxeas in Halicnemia (e. g. Hooper, 2002), although they can be large (up to 110 µm in Halicnemia caledoniensis and up to 400 µm in Halicnemia verticillata). Reproduction: The presence of oocytes has been observed in several specimens collected between June and August.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436844FFD9FEDBF9B8FAE1FA32.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: See Van Soest (2002). Type species: Higginsia coralloides Higgin, 1877. Included species: In WPD, Van Soest et al. (2018) listed 26 species. We have examined the type material of only six of these species. Higginsia durissima (Burton, 1928: p. 131, fig. 2) is returned to Bubaris Gray, 1867, because there is no justification for its transferral to Higginsia; Higginsia anfractuosa Hooper & Lévi, 1993 and Higginsia fragilis Lévi, 1961 are reassigned to Hymedesmiidae. Remarks: Van Soest (2002) stated that the spined microscleres can be curved and that raphides or trichodragmata may occur. He was referring to Higginsia lunata Carter, 1885. Van Soest & Hooper (2005) subsequently resurrected the genus Desmoxya for this species (see remarks on Desmoxya).	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436844FFD9FCADFA35FB61F9B2.taxon	description	(FIG. 13 C)	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436844FFD8FCF9F9E4FE77FEA3.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Holotype BMNH RN CXXXII. 2, Seychelles, Indian Ocean, 20 October 2005, 44 fathoms (80 m), ‘ Sealark’ (slide only). DNA sequences: CO 1 Folmer fragment (GenBank accession no. EU 146439) from QM G 300611. Remarks: The centrotylote swelling on the oxea is only slightly noticeable in this species. The oxea are often bifurcate at one or both ends (Fig. 13 C). Flanged ends to the oxea are also found in Higginsia bidentifera, Halicnemia verticillata and Paratimea dentata (BELUM Mc 6884).	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436845FFD8FF39FA79FDF9F9C3.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: see Bergquist (1970). Type species: Acanthoclada prostrata Bergquist, 1970 (p. 22, pl. 5 b, pl. 10 a, f, pl. 16 a, b).	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436845FFD8FF00F95EFAEEFD2B.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: NMNZ Por 145, Takatu Point, New Zealand, 36 ° 23 ′ S, 174 ° 50 ′ E, 10 m. Description: Bergquist (1970) describes this species as ‘ thickly encrusting and slimy’ and notes the presence of oocytes in one specimen. DNA sequences: From NMNZ Por 145, we sequenced the 28 S D 3 region, (GenBank accession no. MK 084764). Remarks: Bergquist (1970) proposed Acanthoclada for sponges with a Higginsia - like skeleton but with the addition of echinating rhabdostyles. In addition to centrotrangulate oxea, Acanthoclada also has cladotoxa and curved birotule microscleres. Bergquist had misgivings regarding the allocation of Acanthoclada to Desmoxyidae owing to the absence of oxeote microscleres. Hooper (2002 a) retained Acanthoclada in Desmoxyidae with reservation, stating, ‘ being most similar to Higginsia based largely on their affinities in skeletal structure, whereas this assignment is still not certain’. Our 28 S gene tree (Supporting Information, Fig. S 3) strongly supports a close relationship between Acanthoclada, Halicnemia and Higginsia.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436845FFD8FF73FCA8FE5AFAEB.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Lectotype (here designated) MNHN DT 885, Princess Alice, Prainha de Pico, Azores, 523 m, 1895. MNHN DT 886, MNHN DT 884 (slides only), Princess Alice Bank, Azores, 200 m, 1897. Description: Megascleres: Robust styles to tylostyles, 630 – 735 – 845 µm × 25 – 40 µm. Microscleres: Acanthoxea, 50 – 73 – 98 µm × 2 – 4.5 µm (Fig. 13 E). Remarks: MNHN DT 884 was not mentioned in the original description. The acanthoxea in this specimen are shorter and more robust, with sparser spination than the type material.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436845FFD8FEDDFEAEFDE4FE2F.taxon	description	(FIG. 13 D)	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436845FFD8FF73FE19FD7BFD73.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Holotype BMNH 1936.3. 4.342, Gulf of Aden, 11 ° 57.2 ′ N, 50 ° 35 ′ E, 12.10.1933, 38 m (slide only). Remarks: This species is characterized by the possession of relatively short and thick styles and acanthoxea (Fig. 13 D). The styles are ~ 740 µm × 36 µm; occasionally, short thick oxea of similar proportions are present. The acanthoxea are 42 – 58 µm.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436845FFD8FEC0FCFEFDE7FCFF.taxon	description	(FIG. 13 E)	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436845FFDBFC4AFD29FAE3FEC1.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: Encrusting to massive growth forms. Surface hispid; sinuous or straight canals or grooves may be present. Choanosome consisting of (acanth) oxea either loosely scattered or forming a confused reticulation. Ectosomal skeleton consisting of dense brushes of (acanth) oxea perpendicular to the surface. Megascleres, two size classes of smooth or spined oxea; some of the oxea have a characteristic double flex; occasionally, styles present. Microscleres when present consist of raphides in trichodragmata in one or more size categories; larger raphides sinuous or curved. Type genus: Heteroxya Topsent, 1898. Included genera: Heteroxya Topsent, 1898 (pp. 231 – 234, fig. 2 a); Myrmekioderma Ehlers, 1870 (p. 32); Alloscleria Topsent, 1927 (p. 6); Julavis Laubenfels, 1936 (p. 79); Microxistyla Topsent, 1928 (p. 179); Negombo Dendy, 1905 (p. 127) and Parahigginsia Dendy, 1924 (p. 375) (for Heteroxya and Myrmekioderma, molecular data are available; the remaining genera for which we have no molecular data are retained in Heteroxyidae). Remarks: The family Heteroxyidae was originally proposed for Heteroxya and Acanthoxifer Dendy, 1905 (= Myrmekioderma). Bergquist (1965) compared the type species of Myrmekioderma with the type species of Acanthoxifer and concluded that they were conspecific. Erpenbeck et al. (2005), using partial 28 S rRNA sequences, showed Myrmekioderma granulatum (Esper, 1794) (type species of Myrmekioderma) clustering with Didiscus spp. in Raspailiidae. Redmond et al. (2013), using 18 S rRNA, showed Myrmekioderma granulatum clustering with Raspailiidae, but Myrmekioderma rea clustered with Axinellidae, suggesting that the genus Myrmekioderma is polyphyletic. Erpenbeck et al. (2012 a), using CO 1 barcoding sequences, showed Myrmekioderma granulatum and Myrmekioderma gyroderma clustering with Axinellidae and not with Didiscus in Raspailiidae. In our CO 1 tree (Supporting Information, Fig. S 4), we have used the Myrmekioderma sequences from Erpenbeck et al. (2012 a), and they cluster with Heteroxya corticata Topsent, 1898 and Heteroxya beauforti, close to Axinellidae. Pending further investigation of the possible polyphyly of Myrmekioderma, we retain the genus in Heteroxyidae. Figure 1 provides strong molecular evidence for the exclusion of Didiscus and Desmoxya from Heteroxyidae. Although previous molecular studies have consistently shown Didiscus clustering in Raspailiidae, this is the first study that provides molecular and morphological support for the allocation of Desmoxya (and Desmoxyidae) to Poecilosclerida. Inour CO 1 genetree (SupportingInformation, Fig. S 4), Heteroxya spp. cluster with Myrmekioderma spp. close to Axinellidae. Some Axinellidae (e. g. Axinella parva Picton & Goodwin, 2007 and Axinella pyramidata Stephens, 1916) have oxea with a double flex, which are similar to the oxea in Heteroxya corticata (type taxon of Heteroxyidae; Fig. 16 A – D) and Heteroxya beauforti (Fig. 17 A – F). Cells with granular inclusions are abundant in Axinella pyramidata, Axinella parva, Heteroxya corticata and Heteroxya beauforti. These characters appear to unite Heteroxya and Axinellidae and support the recent allocation of Heteroxyidae to Axinellida (Van Soest et al., 2018: in WPD).	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436846FFDAFC43FE48FE35F936.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis emended: Encrusting growth form; surface highly hispid; choanosome with a condensed basal layer of spongin lying on the substrate, containing (acanth) oxeas distributed without appreciable order on basal spongin and strewn throughout the mesohyl; subectosomal skeleton consists of oxeas arranged perpendicular to the ectosome, protruding through the surface, but not embedded in basal spongin; ectosomal skeleton with a perpendicular palisade of smaller (acanth) oxeas, through which the larger subectosomal oxeas protrude; long styles present in one species. Two categories of oxea, smooth or spined; larger oxea sometimes with a double flex; microscleres absent. Type species: Heteroxya corticata Topsent, 1898 (pp. 231 – 234, fig. 2 a). Included species: Heteroxya corticata; Heteroxya beauforti Morrow sp. nov.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436847FFDDFF28F900FD0CFE44.taxon	description	(FIG. 16 A – D) Material examined: Syntypes MOM-INV- 22538, Topsent, 1888, Azores, stn 578, 869, depth 1165 m, 1240 m Collections du Prince Albert Ier de Monaco. DNA sequences: The CO 1 Folmer fragment (GenBank accession no. KP 939318) is from the holotype. Remarks: Figure 16 A is a photograph of an ethanolpreserved specimen from the type lot. It is dirty beige in colour, with a hispid surface and is growing on coral. Figure 16 B is a photomicrograph showing the large oxea that often have a characteristic double flex. The large oxea measure 1600 – 1700 – 2000 µm × 26 – 32 – 37 µm. The ends of the oxea occasionally have some microspination (Fig. 16 C). The small oxea (Fig. 16 D) measure 235 – 310 – 420 µm × 12 – 23 µm. The spination is more pronounced in the smaller oxea, particularly towards the ends of the oxea, but some spination may also be present over the entire surface of the spicule.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436840FFDDFF1BFDC0FD10FB5E.taxon	description	(FIG. 17 A – F) Material examined: Holotype BELUM Mc 7794, 54 ° 03.67998 ′ N, 12 ° 33.105 ′ W, CE 10004 of RV Celtic Explorer, 31 May 2010, 1300 m, coll. C. Morrow, det. C. Morrow. Paratypes: BELUM Mc 7750, 54 ° 03.79758 ′ N, 12 ° 24.78846 ′ W, CE 10004 of RV Celtic Explorer, 26 May 2010, 1469 m, coll. C. Morrow, det. C. Morrow. ZMA POR 20081, 55 ° 26.676 ′ N, 16 ° 04.308 ′ W, ExpeditionBiosys / Hermes 2005, FieldBx 173 / rest, 629 m, 12 July 2005, coll. R. W. M. Van Soest, det. C. Morrow. L S I D: u r n: l s i d: z o o b a n k. o r g: a c t: 3 B 4 B 5 3 F A - 5 B 58 - 438 B- 956 F- 42483 E 159 B 2 E Description: External morphology: Thin encrustation on dead scleractinian cup coral Desmophyllum sp. (Fig. 17 A). The holotype is almost completely overgrowing the underside of the cup coral that measures ~ 35 mm in diameter, thickness ~ 1.5 mm. Surface is hispid to hirsute. Oscules not apparent in preserved material.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436840FFDCFC5AF91BFEB1FDB8.taxon	materials_examined	Type species: Alloscleria tenuispinosa Topsent, 1927. Included species: Alloscleria tenuispinosa Topsent, 1927 (p. 6) Remarks: Topsent (1927) erected the genus Alloscleria for his new species Alloscleria tenuispinosa and Topsentia glabra (Topsent, 1898) and allocated the genus to Spongosoritidae (= Halichondriidae). He considered Alloscleria tenuispinosa most closely allied with Topsentia glabra. Hooper (2002 b) synonymized Alloscleria with Halicnemia, primarily on the basis of the presence of acanthoxea. However, Erpenbeck & Van Soest (2002), in a discussion of Topsentia Berg, 1899, subsequently resurrected Alloscleria, although they retained the genus in Desmoxyidae.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436841FFDCFF0AFDAEFDFCFB79.taxon	description	(FIG. 13 F)	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436841FFDCFF0AFDAEFDFCFB79.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Holotype MNHN DT 1990, stn 1242, Banc de Seine, Azores, 10 September 1901, 240 m (slide only). Description: Megascleres: This species has fusiform styles 310 – 400 – 444 (SD = 40) µm × 7 – 8 – 10 µm. Microscleres: Very fine acanthose oxea, 60 – 88 – 106 µm × 1.5 – 1.8 – 2.5 µm, that are only slightly curved in the middle (Fig. 13 F). Remarks: The spicule and skeletal morphology of Alloscleria tenuispinosa differs substantially from typical Halicnemia and Higginsia species. Without molecular evidence, it is difficult to identify the correct family and order for this genus.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436841FFDCFEDDFA8BFDF9FA3B.taxon	materials_examined	Type genus: Bubaris Gray, 1867.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436841FFDCFC75FF17FA52FB87.taxon	description	(FIG. 18)	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436841FFDCFC75FF17FA52FB87.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Holotype BMNH R. N. XXXI. i, stn 532, Andaman Sea, Merqui Archipelago, 113 m. Description: Megascleres: Thick, short rhabdostyles and oxea, 450 µm × 34 µm; axial canal often visible in rhabdostyles (Fig. 18). Remarks: Although this species was transferred to Higginsia (Van Soest et al., 2018: in WPD), we do not know of good morphological evidence to support its placement here. This species has shared affinities with Axinellidae, Hymerhabdiidae and Dictyonellidae. On spicule and skeletal morphology, these three families are apparently indistinguishable. There is some evidence that there are chemical characters that characterize Hymerhabdiidae, such as the presence of isocyanids (Braekman et al., 1992), and using DNA sequences they are easily distinguishable. Given that it is not possible to say with confidence whether Bubaris durissima should be assigned to Axinellidae, Dictyonellidae or Hymerhabdiidae, and in the absence of molecular data, we consider returning it to its original genus (Bubaris) the most conservative option.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436841FFDCFEE4FA39FDF9F8FA.taxon	materials_examined	Type species: Bubaris vermiculata (Bowerbank, 1866) (p. 141) Included species: Bubaris ammosclera Hechtel, 1969; Bubaris carcisis Vacelet, 1969; Bubaris conulosa Vacelet & Vasseur, 1971; Bubaris durissima Burton, 1928; Bubaris murrayi Topsent, 1913; Bubaris salomonensis Dendy, 1922; Bubaris sarayi Ilan, Ben-Eliahu & Galil, 1994; Bubaris sosia Topsent, 1904; Bubaris subtyla Pulitzer-Finali, 1983; Bubaris vermiculata (Bowerbank, 1866).	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436841FFDFFC52FB82FDA4FE5D.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis (emended): Thinly encrusting or massive sponges; megascleres smooth diactinal strongyles and onychaetes, with acanthostyles present in one species; microscleres are crescent-shaped acanthoxea. Choanosomalskeletoncomposedofascending, plumose columns of strongyles interspersed with bundles of onychaetes. Basal layer of erect acanthostyles present in one species. Acanthoxea distributed throughout the choanosome but concentrated in surface layer. Type genus: Desmoxya Hallmann, 1917.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436842FFDEFF24FD1DFED4FE44.taxon	materials_examined	Type species: Desmoxya lunata (Carter, 1885) Included species: Desmoxya lunata (Carter, 1885); Desmoxya pelagiae Van Soest & Hooper, 2005 Hallmann (1917) speculated that the microscleres in Desmoxya lunata, which are terminally spined, crescent-shaped or sigmoidal microxea, might have been derived from sigmata. He questioned whether genera with spined microxea, such as Higginsia, Halicnemia and Desmoxya, should be included in Axinellidae. He further speculated that the acanthoxea in Desmoxya and Halicnemia were similar to those of Acanthoxa Hentschel, 1914 and could be homologous with the acanthoscleres of myxillids. Our 18 S tree (Supporting Information, Fig. S 2) shows that there is molecular support for Hallmann’s hypothesis (in part), because Desmoxya pelagiae clusters in Poecilosclerida. However, Halicnemia and Higginsia group with Stelligera and Paratimea in Stelligeridae: Axinellida.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436843FFDEFEDDFDC7FDD4FDC0.taxon	description	(FIG. 19 A – G)	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436843FFDEFF68FAA1FBC5FC97.taxon	description	(FIG. 20 A – H)	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436843FFDEFF68FAA1FBC5FC97.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Holotype ZMA POR 18145, M 2004 BX 33 A, Rockall Bank, S part, 55 ° 30.288 ′ N, 15 ° 47.148 ′ W, 2 September 2004, 673 m. BELUM Mc 7764, 54 ° 4.435 ′ N, 12 ° 31.507 ′ W, CE 10004 of RV Celtic Explorer, 27 May 2010, coll. C. Morrow, det. C. Morrow.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436843FFDEFF68FAA1FBC5FC97.taxon	description	DNA sequences: From BELUM Mc 7764, we sequenced partial CO 1 (GenBank accession no. KC 876696) and 28 S (D 3 – D 5, GenBank accession no. KF 018109). The 18 S GenBank sequence KC 902064 is from the same specimen. Remarks: A re-examination of the type specimen of Desmoxya pelagiae found acanthostyle spicules and unidirectional spines on the raphides (similar to onychaetes) that were overlooked in the original description (Fig. 20 shows an SEM of the spicules from the type specimen). The acanthostyles are relatively scarce and confined to the basal region of the sponge. They measure 288 – 314 – 353 µm × 9 – 10 µm (N = 6; measurements taken at middle portion of shaft), the heads of the acanthostyles are ~ 12 µm across. The presence of acanthostyles and onychaetes suggests an affinity with Tedaniidae (Poecilosclerida). Figure 20 G, H illustrates the spicule composition in Desmoxya # pelagiae and Tedania (Trachytedania) cf. ferrolensis (Cristobo & Urgorri, 2001), respectively. Both species share strongyles, raphides and acanthostyles. In addition, Desmoxya pelagiae has bow-shaped acanthose microscleres with unidirectional spines.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436843FFDEFF73FDB6FEA4FABA.taxon	discussion	Remarks: A re-examination of the type specimen of Desmoxya lunata using SEM revealed that the raphides are acanthose (Fig. 19 D – G), suggesting that it might have affinities with Tedaniidae. The raphides are unusual; they appear to occur in at least three length categories and are ‘ compound’. They consist of several slightly overlapping raphides glued together, whereas in Desmoxya pelagiae the raphides are spined mostly at the ends and are in trichodragmas with individual raphides single, not compound. The acanthoxea in Desmoxya lunata are diactinal (Fig. 19 C), whereas in Desmoxya pelagiae they are monactinal. In other respects, the spicules and skeletal arrangement are closest to those of Desmoxya pelagiae. We therefore take Desmoxya pelagiae as a representative of Desmoxya and propose the transfer of Desmoxya from Heteroxyidae: Axinellida to Desmoxyidae: Poecilosclerida.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436843FFDEFC56FCEDFC03FA84.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: See Van Soest (2002). Type genus: Hymedesmia Bowerbank, 1864. Included genera: Acanthancora Topsent, 1927; Hamigera Gray, 1867; Hemimycale Burton, 1934; Hymedesmia Bowerbank, 1864; Kirkpatrickia Topsent, 1912; Phorbas Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864; Plocamionida Topsent, 1927; Pseudohalichondria Carter, 1886; Spanioplon Topsent, 1890. Remarks: Morrow et al. (2013) and Redmond et al. (2013) indicated that this family is polyphyletic and in need of revision.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436843FFD3FC10FA87FD32F992.taxon	description	(FIGS 21 D – F, 22 A – D) Diagnosis: Erect, globular, cylindrical digitate growth form. Surface with non-detachable dermis with distinctive, evenly distributed areolated porefields up to 2.5 mm in diameter. Choanosome consisting of ascending, meandering, anastomosing bundles of strongyles. Around papillae / areolae the spicule bundles diverge. Ectosome heavy layer of collagen containing rugose oxea arranged paratangentially to surface. Megascleres are straight, slender strongyles with symmetrical rounded ends. Microscleres are slender, straight or only slightly curved rugose oxea with tapering ends. Type species: Higginsia anfractuosa Hooper & Lévi, 1993 (p. 1455, figs 39, 40), herein designated. LSID: urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: 6423 AD 93 - 0 EC 7 - 4831 - 9 FFF- 399257 E 64 E 64 Remarks: This genus is erected for Higginsia anfractuosa. In assigning this species to Higginsia, Hooper & Lévi (1993) emphasized the presence of acanthoxea and raphides of two size classes. They stated that morphologically it was most similar to Higginsia lunata Carter, 1885 in growth form, papillose surface features and skeletal architecture and that both species are atypical of other Higginsia. Re-examination of the holotypes of Desmoxya lunata and Desmoxya pelagiae using SEM (Figs 19, 20, respectively) showed that the ‘ raphides’ were spined, similar to the onychaetes in Tedaniidae. Re-examination of the holotype of Higginsia anfractuosa showed that the ‘ acanthoxea’ described by Hooper & Lévi (1993) were slender rugose oxea unlike the crescent-shaped acanthoxea in Desmoxya. Thin spicules resembling raphides were present, but they were approximately the same sizes as the strongyles and oxea, and we would interpret them as developing spicules rather than raphides. Morphologically, we consider Hooperia anfractuosa comb. nov. most similar to Hemimycale. Both Hemimycale and Hooperia share conspicuous, raised areolated porefields supported by parallel columns of erect strongyles (Fig. 21 C, F, respectively). The choanosomal skeleton in Hemimycale and Hooperia consists of bundles of strongyles that branch and anastomose infrequently (Fig. 21 A, D, respectively). Hooperia can be distinguished from other hymedesmiid genera by the presence of a surface layer of rugose oxea (Fig. 22 C) that are morphologically distinct from the acanthoxea in Crellidae. According to the family diagnoses given by Hooper & Van Soest (2002), Hooperia would be placed in Crellidae Dendy, 1922, because it has a tangential layer of rugose / acanthose oxea. However, the CO 1 gene tree (Supporting Information, Fig. S 4) shows Hooperia anfractuosa clustering with Hemimycale: Hymedesmiidae. Morphologically, the skeletal architecture and spicule morphology in Hooperia anfractuosa (Fig. 21 D, E) are more similar to Hemimycale columella (Fig. 21 A, B) than to Crella elegans. Therefore, we have assigned Hooperia to Hymedesmiidae. Etymology: This genus is named in honour of Dr John Hooper, Head of Biodiversity & Geosciences Program, Queensland Museum, Australia, for his major contribution to sponge taxonomy. HOOPERIA ANFRACTUOSA (HOOPER & LÉVI,	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA001443684EFFD3FC94F9D9FB50F9DF.taxon	description	(FIG. 23 C – F)	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA001443684EFFD3FC40FB68FBFEFA4E.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: See Van Soest (2002). Type species: Spanioplon armaturum (Bowerbank, 1866). Included species: In WPD, Van Soest et al. (2018) listed three valid species. We have examined material only of the type species, Spanioplon armaturum (Bowerbank, 1866).	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA001443684EFFD5FCF9F989FDE7FACF.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Holotype MNHN DCL 373 sv 99, Aldabra C. Lévi (microscope slide only). Description: Choanosomal skeleton: Ascending sinuous columns composed of styles (rhabdostyles) and occasionally tylostyles, with interconnecting spicules (Fig. 23 F). Heads of principal spicules embedded in spongin. Secondary reticulation, with one to three spicules interconnecting. E c t o s o m a l s k e l e t o n: S u r f a c e l ay e r o f s t r a i g h t acanthoxeas arranged tangentially. M e g a s c l e r e s: R o b u s t s t y l e s t o t y l o s t y l e s, 3 0 8 – 358 – 422 (SD = 28) µm × 10 – 11 µm (Fig. 23 C); thin strongyles (tornotes) with basal ends rounded and slightly dilated, 178 – 270 – 317 (SD = 38) µm (Fig. 23 D). Microscleres: Acanthoxeas 91 – 102 – 110 µm × 1 – 2 µm (Fig. 23 E). Remarks: This species appears to be a poecilosclerid, and morphologically it is similar to Spanioplon armaturum (Fig. 23 A, B). Both species share style / tylostyle megascleres and tornotes with basal ends rounded and slightly dilated. The ‘ acanthoxeas’ in Higginsia fragilis are also similar to those of Spanioplon armaturum (which vary from acanthoxeas to acanthostyles) and are unlike the acanthoxeas in other Higginsia and Halicnemia species. On the basis of the morphology, we propose the transfer of Higginsia fragilis to Spanioplon (Hymedesmiidae: Poecilosclerida).	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436848FFD5FF62FA14FD9AF8FA.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis (emended from Hooper, 2002 b): Encrusting, cup-shaped, arborescent or branching growth forms; megascleres styles, oxea or both enclosed within axially compressed spongin fibres or basally compressed in encrusting taxa, and plumose to plumo-reticulate extra-axial branches or sometimes with a definite axis. Microscleres are euasters, usually with microspination. Type genus: Hemiasterella Carter, 1879. Included genera: In WPD, Van Soest et al. (2018) listed four genera: Adreus Gray, 1867; Axos Gray, 1867; Hemiasterella Carter, 1879; and Leptosastra Topsent, 1904.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436848FFD4FC6DFBBFFEE6F8F0.taxon	diagnosis	Emended diagnosis: Arborescent growth form; choanosomal skeleton with strongly compressed axis composed of long smooth tylostyles in bundles running longitudinally through branches; poorly developed extra-axial skeleton composed of sparse plumose brushes of smaller smooth styles ascending to periphery; euasters with curved or sinuous, smooth or spined, strongylote or tylote rays often branched, mainly confined to the ectosomal region, absent in some species. Type species: Adreus fascicularis (Bowerbank, 1866). Included species: Van Soest et al. (2018) listed three valid species: Adreus fascicularis (Bowerbank, 1866); Adreus micraster (Burton, 1956); and Adreus stylifer (Arndt, 1927). On the basis of molecular evidence presented in the Supporting Information (Fig. S 5), we formally propose the transfer of Raspailia (Parasyringella) australiensis Ridley, 1884 and Ceratopsion axiferum (Hentschel, 1912) to Adreus (see below, Adreus axiferum). Remarks: In addition to arborescent growth forms, we have also collected an undescribed encrusting Adreus (BELUM Mc 4982); this species is represented in our 18 S rRNA gene tree (Supporting Information, Fig. S 2). Erpenbeck et al. (2007), in an analysis of the systematics of Raspailiidae using partial 28 S rRNA sequences, showed that Raspailia (Parasyringella) australiensis and Ceratopsion axiferum did not cluster with the main raspailiid group. In an attempt to resolve the taxonomic affinities of some of their ‘ raspailiid’ taxa that failed to group with the main raspailiid clade, we combined many of their sequences with our own (Supporting Information, Fig. S 5). Our analysis indicates that, rather than being raspailiids that have lost their acanthostyles, Raspailia (Parasyringella) australiensis and Ceratopsion axiferum are better interpreted as Adreus that have secondarily lost their asters. For these species, we propose the new combinations Adreus australiensis and Adreus axiferum.	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436849FFD4FCEDFA96FBB3F921.taxon	description	Raspailia australiensis Ridley, 1884 Material examined: QM G 320811 and G 320826, Gulf of Carpentaria, 15 ° 20.02 ′ S, 140 ° 19.50 ′ E, 28 m, 24 May 2003, coll. C. Bartlett & S. Cook, det. M. Schlacher. DNA sequences: 28 S D 1 (GenBank accession nos EU 146438 and EU 146439 from QM G 320811 and G 320826, respectively).	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
FA0014436849FFD7FC92F93BFE81FD18.taxon	description	Ceratopsion axiferum (Hentschel, 1912) Material examined: QM G 304729, N. of Petherbridge Islets, Turtle Is., Great Barrier Reef, 14 ° 41.04 ′ S, 145 ° 01.60 ′ E, 9.3 m, 2 September 1994, coll. J. A. Kennedy & M. Gwendolyn, det. J. Hooper. DNA sequences: 28 S D 1 (GenBank accession no. EU 146406 from QM G 304729). SHARED DATA A spreadsheet with collection information of specimens examined in this study, previous records and Genbank accession numbers was archived in the PANGAEA data repository (https: // doi. pangaea. de / 10.1594 / PANGAEA. 897272).	en	Morrow, Christine, Cárdenas, Paco, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Picton, Bernard, Mccormack, Grace, Soest, Rob Van, Collins, Allen, Redmond, Niamh, Maggs, Christine, Sigwart, Julia, Allcock, Louise A. (2019): Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 187: 31-81
