Table 2 in A new deep-water Tethya (Porifera, Tethyida, Tethyidae) from the Great Australian Bight and an updated Tethyida phylogeny

Table 2 (continued on five next pages). Comparison of morphology between species of Tethya Lamarck, 1815 from Australia and New Zealand.
SpeciesExternal appearance Significant attachment in boldBody diam. ColourSkeletal arrangement Megasclere tracts (diam. in µm) & interstitial brushesSpicules Ms = megascleres, me = megasters, mi = micrasters (size in µm)Type localityDepth (m)T. irisae sp. nov.Spherical; plate-like polygonal tubercules separated by grooves; apical osculum; hard. Stalk, same length as body diam.11 mm Grey/whiteTracts of megasclere bundles (300–700) are uniform from choanosome to cortex and fan slightly in tubercules.Ms: strongyloxeas (to 3000 × 70), styles (to 1970 × 34). me: long & short-rayed oxyspherasters (44–177) mi: acanthooxyspherasters (12–20)Great Australian Bight1000T. acuta Sarà & Sarà, 2004 1Spherical with small, distinct tubercules; firm. Buds and rhizoid protuberances.13 mm Unknown*Thick tracts of megasclere bundles (250) fanning out in the cortex.Ms: strongyloxeas, anisostrongyles, styles (to 1600 × 20) me: oxyspherasters (15–50) mi: oxyasters (8–20)Pt Phillip Heads, Victoria, AustraliaUnknown*aT. amplexa Bergquist & Kelly-Borges, 1991 2Spherical to subspherical; surface encrusted with animals. Broad flat tubercules. Apical oscule. Long curved flexible peduncle.30–70 mm YellowRobust bundles (440–800) diverging into branches in cortex. Brushes of interstitial megascleres.Ms anisostrongyloxeas (to 2300 × 32) me: oxyasters (16–35) mi: various, incl. acanthotylasters acanthochiasters, acanthooxyspherasters (10–20)Mimiwhangata, New Zealand7T. bergquistae Hooper in Hooper & Wiedenmayer 1994 1,2Spherical to ovate; surface mammillate to tessellated with buds arising on filaments; firm compressible. Oscules in groups of 3–4). Root-like processes.20–25 mm Rose pinkWidely separated thin flexuous tracts of megasclere bundles (171– 612) radiating into tertiary branches at surface. Interstitial megasclere brushes.Ms: anisostrongyloxeas (to 1617 × 18) me: oxyspherasters (18–52), oxyasters (22–31) mi: acanthotylasters/acanthostrongylasters (10–17), micro-oxyasters (7–10).Whitianga, New Zealand27T. bullae Bergquist & Kelly-Borges, 1991 2Spherical to ovate; large blunt well separated tubercules. Basal flattened branched rooting processes.10–14 mm Yellow greyTracts of megasclere bundles (500) uniform from choanosome to cortex, where they radiate slightly to support the raised tubercules.Ms: anisostrongyloxeas (to 2225 × 30) me: long and short-rayed oxyspherasters mi: completely microspined acanthooxyspherasters & acanthostrongylasters (11–15), microoxyspherasters (9–10)Alderman Islands, New Zealand100T. burtoni Sarà & Sarà, 2004 1Spherical to hemispherical; tubercules conulated, flat or inconspicuous. Sponges clump together. Small marginal stolons.10–13 mm Pale orange brownTracts of megasclere bundles (500–750) unbranched. Brushes of auxiliary interstitial megascleres.Ms: strongyloxeas/anisostrongyles to (1800 × 40) + interstitial styles me: oxy-/spherasters (40–80) mi: tylasters (8–14), chiasters or tylote oxyasters (12–15)Tauranga, New Zealand1