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Spoges
Metaldetes
Metaldetes is a widely distributed example of the group of marine animals known as archeocyathids. Although sponges and archeocyathids are unrelated, the latter have a similar calcareous (but non-spicular) skeleton. Metaldetes has a basically a single or double walled cone perforated by numerous pores. The central cavity is empty, as in sponges. It is not known how the soft tissue was organized.
Habitat -- These small creatures lived in reefs in warm shallow seas.
Remark -- Most archeocyathids are found cilicified in hard limestones, and are known from the Early Cambrian of Soth Australia, Siberia, Sardinia, and Antarctica.
Copyright © 1992 Dorling Kindersley Limited, London
Text copyright © 1992 Cyril Walker, David Ward .