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Article: Classification and phylogeny of Hexactinellida (Porifera) (1).
- Article from:
- Canadian Journal of Zoology
- Article date:
- February 1, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 NRC Research Press. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Abstract: Development of the present classification scheme of the class Hexactinellida was delayed because authors of the early species descriptions did not figure their specimens and few of them had access to compound microscopes necessary to visualize characters important in determining relationships. When microscopic information on spicule symmetry became available, Wyville Thomson in 1868 recognized the distinctive triaxial symmetry of the group and named it Vitrea. Schmidt's 1870 name, Hexactinellidae, was without the contamination associated with Thomson's Vitrea, and gained widespread support. Through a series of proposals and refinements, the present scheme ...