{{Short description|Family of sponges}} {{Automatic taxobox | image = Spongilla coralloides.jpg | image_caption = ''Uruguaya corallioides'' | taxon = Potamolepidae | authority = Brien, 1967 | subdivision_ranks = Genera | subdivision = See text. }}
'''Potamolepidae''' is a family of freshwater sponges, with seven genera:<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=167070 |title= Potamolepidae |author= |date= |publisher= World Register of Marine Species |accessdate=24 July 2013}}</ref>
== Description == This family contains freshwater sponges with a variety of body shapes, ranging from encrusting, massive to arborescent with irregular lobes, ridges or branches.<ref name=":1">{{Citation|last1=Manconi|first1=Renata|title=Suborder Spongillina subord. nov.: Freshwater Sponges|date=2002|url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0747-5_97|work=Systema Porifera: A Guide to the Classification of Sponges|pages=921–1019|editor-last=Hooper|editor-first=John N. A.|place=Boston, MA|publisher=Springer US|language=en|doi=10.1007/978-1-4615-0747-5_97|isbn=978-1-4615-0747-5|access-date=2021-08-26|last2=Pronzato|first2=Roberto|editor2-last=Van Soest|editor2-first=Rob W. M.|editor3-last=Willenz|editor3-first=Philippe|url-access=subscription}}</ref> They are smooth and range in consistency from rigid to hard and stone-like. Gemmules are located at the sponge base or strictly adhering to the substrate.<ref name=":1" />
When present, the ectosomal skeleton has microscleres in the dermal membrane. These take the form of slender oxeas (have pointed ends).<ref name=":1" />
The choanosomal skeleton is alveolate-reticulate. It is loose and irregular at the sponge base and notably dense at the surface and more. Spongin is very sparse. The megascleres are strongyles (have rounded ends), varying from smooth to granular or spiny with inflated ends. <ref name=":1" />
== Distribution == Tropical areas off Africa, South America and around New Caledonia and Fiji.<ref name=":1" />
== Genera == The following genera are recognised:<ref name=":0" /> * ''Cherokeesia'' <small>Copeland, Manconi & Pronzato, 2015</small> * ''Echinospongilla'' <small>Manconi & Pronzato, 2002</small> * ''Oncosclera'' <small>Volkmer-Ribeiro, 1970</small> * ''Potamolepis'' <small>Marshall, 1883</small> * ''Potamophloios'' <small>Brien, 1970</small> * ''Sterrastrolepis'' <small>Volkmer-Ribeiro & De Rosa Barbosa, 1978</small> * ''Uruguaya'' <small>Carter, 1881</small>
==References== {{reflist}}
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Category:Demospongiae Category:Sponge families
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