Immermann
Diagnosis: Radial tubes club-shaped, straight, proximally tapered, with crown of 2-5 terminal branches. Branches simple or branched, or covered with numerous irregular, stout, solid thorns. Foreign siliceous detrital bodies (usually diatom frustules) arranged axially within radial tubes (a generic character) (Aulokleptes flosculus). Veil of tangential needles replaced largely by loose network of siliceous detritus.
As many as 4 varieties or subspecies, possibly distinct warm- and cold-water forms are discussed by some authors. A. ramosus var. longispina Immermann (a simple form with 2, 3, or more smooth terminal teeth, not necessarily from a common origin), and A. ramosus var. antarctica Haecker (with robust spines and short branches), both reported from the South Atlantic, are illustrated.
Note frustule of the diatom genus Rhizosolenia serving as a basis for deposition of the spine shaft (a generic character) in Aulokleptes flosculus.
Diameter: 3.0-5.5 mm.