Cretaceous sponges from the Campanian of Misburg and Höver
Aulosoma Schrammen 1924

Locality: Alemannia, Höver
Height: 125 mm

Aulosoma radiciformis

Phillips 1835

Aulosoma radiciformis is a common species, both in the Upper and Lower Campanian.

The general shape of Aulosoma radiciformis is cylindrical, more or less modified by ring-like bulges or rounded to acute tubercles. The surface of the species is relatively smooth, but on close inspection a network of fine, anastomosed furrows may be visible. In unetched specimens, the small inhalent pores are generally invisible to the naked eye.

Aulosoma radiciformis has a deep central paragaster. The apex with the osculum may be rounded or conical, and sometimes the top part of the sponge is tapering.

Locality: Teutonia, Misburg
Height: 110 mm

This picture of Aulosoma radiciformis shows an example with a more conical apex. Note that in many cases the sponges show a curved growth. This is probably a compensation for gradual tilting of the sponge on an unstable substrate.

Locality: Teutonia, Misburg
Height: 190 mm

The specimen of Aulosoma radiciformis shown in this picture shows another extreme habit of Aulosoma radiciformis, with a very slender top and narrow paragaster opening.

Locality:  Alemannia, Höver
Height: 120 mm

Some individuals of Aulosoma radiciformis show pronounced circular bulges.

Individuals with many tubercles resemble Stachyspongia of the Turonian, but the identity has not been proven yet. Tuberculated forms have been called Aulosoma radiciformis var. nodosus by Schrammen (1910, 1924)

Locality: Teutonia, Misburg
Height: 110 mm

Aulosoma radiciformis commonly shows a short stalk, which may have several strong, lateral roots.

Locality: Alemannia, Höver
Height: 100 mm

A split specimen of Aulosoma radiciformis, showing deep paragaster, epirhysal and aporhysal canals penetrating the sponge wall, and exhalent pores (postica) discharging into the paragastral cavity.

Notice that the postica are aligned horizontally, reflecting growth stages. Notice also that the aporhyses dip outward, while the epirhyses are subhorizontal or dip inward.

Etched specimen. Locality: Alemannia, Höver.
Height: 120 mm

Etched specimen of Aulosoma radiciformis, revealing longitudinally aligned inhalent pores.

Etched specimen. Locality: Alemannia, Höver.
Height: 120 mm

Photomicrograph of etched specimen of Aulosoma radiciformis, showing dense rhizoclone skeleton around an epirhysal canal.




Photomicrographs of rhizoclones of Aulosoma radiciformis. Notice relatively small size and occurrence of conical thorns.

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