Hexactinellid and calcareous sponges from the Pennsylvanian (Moscovian) Dikanre Formation from Xinjiang-Uygur autonomous region, northwestern People's Republic of China

A modest assemblage of hexactinellid and calcareous sponges from the Pennsy lvanian (Moscovian) Dikanre Formation has been recovered from the Uygur Aut onomous Region in eastern Xinjiang Province in northwestern China. Hexactin ellids include the reticulosid Stereodictyum proteron Rigby and Washburn, 1 972, and the new amphidiscosid species Stioderma sinensis, S. micra, and S. mega. This is the first time the genera Stereodictyum and Stioderma have b een reported from Asia. Also included in the assemblage is a silicified por ate permosphinctan, Amblysiphonella cf, barroisi Steinmann, 1882, which is the first report of that genus from northwestern China. Species of Stioderm a are described from nearly complete specimens for the first time. Previous ly described species have been based on isolated spicules or relatively sma ll fragments.