Spicules.org Spicules.org

A database of sponge spicules

  • Home
  • Intro
    • Sponge classes
    • Poriferan tissue and skeleton
  • Spicules
    • by Photo
    • by Name
    • by Taxonomic group
  • Glossary
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Intro
    • Sponge classes
    • Poriferan tissue and skeleton
  • Spicules
    • by Photo
    • by Name
    • by Taxonomic group
  • Glossary
  • Contact

Spicules.org is a database of sponge spicules organized by photo, name, and taxonomic group. The website is based on a research paper led by Dr. Magdalena Łukowiak (Institute of Paleobiology, Polish Academy of Sciences) and co-authored by an international team of sponge experts.

Aster (astro‐)

Definition

Of star shape; for example, astrotylostyle, spheraster, anthospheraster, sterraster.

Photos

Sterraster
Symbol Spicules.org (white)

Browse spicules

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  • by Name
  • by Taxonomic group
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Cite the paper

Please cite the following paper when using this website in your study:

Łukowiak, M., Van Soest, R., Klautau, M., Pérez, T., Pisera, A. & K. Tabachnick. 2022. The terminology of sponge spicules. Journal of Morphology 283 (12): 1517–1545. doi:10.1002/jmor.21520

© 2026 Magdalena Łukowiak
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