Halichondria
Genus of sponges / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Halichondria is a genus of sea sponges belonging to the family Halichondriidae.[1][2] These are massive, amorphous sponges with clearly separated inner and outer skeletons consisting of bundles of spicules arranged in a seemingly random pattern.
Quick Facts Halichondria, Scientific classification ...
Halichondria | |
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Halichondria panicea | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Porifera |
Class: | Demospongiae |
Order: | Suberitida |
Family: | Halichondriidae |
Genus: | Halichondria Fleming, 1828[1] |
Species | |
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This genus of sponges became important through the discovery of cell division limiting properties of the extract Halichondrin B, which inhibits cell mitosis. The drug Eribulin, a related compound and an inhibitor of microtubule function, has become an important chemotherapy treatment for certain types of cancer.[3][4][5][6][7]