Leucosolenia

This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (June 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Leucosolenia
Leucosolenia variabilis
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Porifera
Class:	Calcarea
Order:	Leucosolenida
Family:	Leucosoleniidae
Genus:	Leucosolenia Bowerbank, 1861
Species
See text
Synonyms
Ascortis Haeckel, 1872 Asculmis Haeckel, 1872 Ascuris Haeckel, 1872 Clistolynthus Haeckel, 1870 Nardopsis Haeckel, 1870 Olynthus Haeckel, 1869 Tarrus Haeckel, 1869

Leucosolenia is a genus of calcareous sponges belonging to the family Leucosoleniidae. Species of this genus usually appear as groups of curved vases, up to 2 cm long, each ending in an osculum. The overall shape is sometimes likened to a tiny bunch of bananas. They are most often observed in tide pools, clustered around the base of seaweeds or on rocks, and occur in a variety of colours, usually rather pale. Its canal system is of asconoid type. The colony consists of few simple vase-like, cylindrical individuals each terminating in an osculum and united at their bases by irregular horizontal tubes. Leucosolenia reproduces both asexually and sexually. asexual reproduction by budding and sexual reproduction takes place by formation of gametes, i.e., ova and sperms. Lecosolenia is hermaphrodite, because both the gametes are formed in the body of same individual. Sponges are mostly asymmetrical, but Leucosolenia is symmetrical.