Classification:

• Phylum-Porifera
• Class-Hexactinellida
• Order-Amphidiscophora
• Genus-Hyalonema

Comments:

1. 1.Hyalonema is popularly known as a glass rope sponge.
2. 2.It has a rounded or oval body with a simple spirally twisted root tuft.
3. 3.The spicules are often fused to form a lattice like skeleton,giving the sponge a glass like appearance.
4. 4.The spicules of root tuft continue through the sponge body as an axis or columella and projecting above as a Gastral cone.
5. 5.The root spicules are compact,stalk-like,elongated,twisted and giving the appearance of a rope.
6. 6.The middle part of the columella commonly has symbiotic polyps.
7. 7.When the upper surface of the sponge body is depressed,the resulting cavity may be termed a spongocoel.
8. 8.The excurrent canals open into it by upward projection of columella,no spongocoel exists.
9. 9.Skeleton consists mainly of small amphidiscs.
10. 10.Extending from all over the surface are small,branching,five-rayed spicules. These resemble small christmas trees on cross shaped bases.

Source:

1. Practical Zoology Invertebrates by S.S.Lal. 2. A Manual of Practical Zoology Chordates by Dr. P.S. Verma.