Genus 92. Cladococcus,[[126]] J. Müller, 1856, Monatsber. d. k. preuss. Akad. d. Wiss. Berlin, p. 485.
Definition.—Astrosphærida with one simple lattice-sphere, covered with branched radial spines (the stem of the spine never forked).
The genus Cladococcus, together with the following Elaphococcus, is distinguished from the other Coscinommida by the ramification of the radial spines covering the surface of the simple hollow lattice-sphere. In Cladococcus each spine sends out three or more lateral branches, which are either simple or again ramified; but the stem of the spine itself is not forked, as in Elaphococcus.
Subgenus 1. Cladococcalis, Haeckel.
Definition.—Branches of the spines simple, not ramified. Pores regular, all of nearly equal size and similar form.
1. Cladococcus arborescens, J. Müller.
Cladococcus arborescens, J. Müller, 1858, Abhandl. d. k. Akad. d. Wiss. Berlin, p. 31, Taf. i. fig. 2.
Pores of the spherical shell regular, hexagonal, three times as broad as the bars; three to four on the radius. Ten to twenty spines, three-sided prismatic, two to three times as long as the shell diameter; towards the distal end each spine with three branches (one lateral simple straight branch on each edge of the spine).
Dimensions.—Diameter of the shell 0.1, pores 0.012, bars 0.004; length of the spines 0.2 to 0.3, breadth 0.02.
Habitat.—Mediterranean (Nice); North Atlantic, Canary Islands, surface.