Tetillidae

Tetillidae is a family of marine demosponges. Tetillids are more or less spherical sponges (sometimes referred to as golf ball sponges) which are found commonly in all marine habitats at all depths throughout the world. They are especially common in sedimented habitats.

Reproduction in tetillids is quite varied, although free-swimming larvae have not been seen in this group. In some species fertilized eggs are released which settle directly onto the substrate and develop in situ. In other species the eggs develop within the body cavity of the adult sponge and are released as small adult sponges via localized breakdown of the pinacoderm.

Over a hundred species have been described in eight genera.