User:Savannahgray/Savannah Gray Invertebrate Zoology Wiki Article

Article Draft
Monanchora Carter is a genus of demosponges belonging to the family Crambeida. The genus contains 18 direct children, or species. Species of this genus are researched for the potential use in medicine.

Morphology
The species with in the Genus Monanchora vary in their morphology. The genus Monanchora is defined by belonging to the family Crambeidae while lacking pseudoatrose spicules. The structure of the species belonging to the genus Monachora varies from encrusting to lobate to ramose. A typical identifying characteristic of this genus is a canal system that is swollen and has a light colored lining. This canal system collapses when taken out of water. Species in this genus have simple skeletal arrangements that can develop bushes at the surface without the use of ectosomal skeletons. The spicules observed vary among and within species and can be categorized by size into two groups: megascleres and microscleres. In some species the microscleres may be reduces, absent or modified, resulting in problematic identification and assignment to the genus Monanchora. The genus Monachora and the genus Crambe are similar in morphology and chemistry. Even though the two are very similar, Monanchora lack the desma-like spicules that Crambe species have.

Chemistry
Many species of Monanchora have been researched for potential uses in the medicine. Some species produce a guanidine derived alkaloid called Monanchorin. The genus Cambre and Monanchora have similar chemical make ups and are often studied for their potential medical uses.

Distribution
Species belonging to the genus Monanchora are distributed around the world. They are found in shallow marine or brackish waters. They are known for their habitat of sea mounds or knolls.

Discovery
Carter first described the genus Monanchora based on a washed up specimen of Monanchora clathrate. Due to the wave action the specimen experienced on the shore, the shape was irregular and its structure was impossible to determine. Carter described the texture of the specimen as “crumb-of-bread” and the color as tawny. The specimen has a “sub-pinlike” skeletal arrangement and a spicule that was smooth and curved with a pointed shaft.

Medical Use
A study found that Monanchora and Crambe produce pyrroloquinoline and guanidine-derrived alkaloids, which potentially contain cytotoxix and antiviral, HIV-1 inhibitors, enzyme inhibitors, receptor antagonist, Ca2+ channel bloackker, antifungal and antimicrobial. These compounds are taxonomic traits of sponges in the poecilosclerida order. These compounds are studied to investigate the potential use for cancer treatment and other therapeutic areas.

Taxonomy
The following Species are recognized in the genis Monanchora:
 * Species Monanchora alaskensis (Lambe, 1895)


 * Species Monanchora arbuscula (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864)


 * Species Monanchora bahamensis Esteves, de Paula, Lerner, Lôbo-Hajdu & Hajdu, 2018


 * Species Monanchora brasiliensis Esteves, Lerner, Lôbo-Hajdu & Hajdu, 2012
 * Species Monanchora clathrata Carter, 1883
 * Species Monanchora coccinea Esteves, de Paula, Lerner, Lôbo-Hajdu & Hajdu, 2018
 * Species Monanchora dianchora de Laubenfels, 1935
 * Species Monanchora downesae Goodwin & Downey, 2021
 * Species Monanchora enigmatica (Burton & Rao, 1932)
 * Species Monanchora laevissima (Dendy, 1922)
 * Species Monanchora laminachela Lehnert, Stone & Heimler, 2006
 * Species Monanchora lipochela (Dendy, 1922)
 * Species Monanchora megasigmifera Esteves, de Paula, Lerner, Lôbo-Hajdu & Hajdu, 2018
 * Species Monanchora pulchra (Lambe, 1895)
 * Species Monanchora quadrangulata (Lévi, 1958)
 * Species Monanchora stocki van Soest, 1990
 * Species Monanchora unguiculata (Dendy, 1922)
 * Species Monanchora viridis (Kieschnick, 1900)