Heteractinida

The sponge-like Cambrian Hetairacyathidae may be related to heteractinids, though most instead consider hetairacyathids to be closer to archaeocyaths and radiocyaths. An example of a species in the Heteractinida class is the Gondekia Lancifer; the Gondekia lancifer specimen is only the second articulated specimen known and is more complete than the holotype. It has an intact skeleton of felted sexiradiates of three orders of spicules.

Subgroups

From Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology:

• Order †Octactinellida Hinde, 1887
  • Family †Astraeospongiidae Miller, 1889 [Cambrian–Devonian]
  • Family †Eiffeliidae Rigby, 1986 [Cambrian–Mississippian]
  • Family †Nuchidae Pickett, 2002 [Cambrian]
  • Family †Wewokellidae King, 1943 [Mississippian–Permian]