Milne Edwards and Haime, 1848
Heteropsammia cochlea (5)
Type species: Heteropsammia michelini Milne Edwards and Haime, 1848
Total number of species estimated: 6
Characteristics: Simple, or colonial with two or three calices resulting from mono- or distomodaeal intratentacular budding, free, base enclosing tube of commensal sipunculid (Aspidosiphon corallicola Sluiter) which has several lateral openings through the corallum to the exterior. Wall thick and spongy, the costae replaced by rows of crispate granulations (usually in three rows per septum), the rows becoming labyrinthine over the base. Septa arranged according to Pourtalès plan, the principals thick and spongy. Columella well developed.
Range: Indo-Pacific.
Key references: Hoeksema and Best, 1991.