Sponges architecture by colour: new insights into the fibres morphogenesis, skeletal spatial layout and morpho-anatomical traits of a marine horny sponge species (Porifera)

This paper focuses on the skeletal architecture and morphotraits of Mediterranean horny sponge Sarcotragus spinosulus (Demospongiae, Keratosa, Dictyoceratida, Irciniidae). special endoskeletal system consists a dense, variably complex connective architecture, which extends throughout entire body is embedded in an abundant jelly-like extracellular matrix (ECM). To investigate topographic arrangement micro-morphotraits these structures detail by colour, also during morphogenetic processes, histology techniques using light microscopy are essential. New information provided coordinated processes that characterize growth assembly collagenic prototype fibrous elements drive skeleton remodelling. Our results highlight some novelties remarkable peculiarities fibrous, filamentous fibrillar components at levels both composition structure. The morphofunctional significance suggested background anatomical complexity S. spinosulus.