Branching vase sponge

Soorten

Huidige artikelen | Archieven | Zoek

Callyspongia (Cladochalina) vaginalis

(Lamarck, 1814)

Literatuur

Code

166232

Summary

Cluster of elongated cylindrical tubes, sometimes wider at the top with smooth conules. The outside of the tubes is sparsely covered with small spiny projections.

Characteristics

Size: Tubes up to 25 cm high and 5 cm in diameter.
Colour: Usually grey but variable: from lavender to brownish-gray to greenish-gray and occasionally light tan. In Florida also red and yellow.
Shape: Cluster of elongated tubes with spiky walls.
Consistency: Spongy.

Habitat environment and ecology

Inhabit shallow and mid-range reefs, walls and rocky areas. The species is frequently infested with Sponge zoanthids Parazoanthus parasiticus and Sponge brittle stars Ophiothrix suensonii.

Distribution range

BES-eilanden: Bonaire, Saba.

Author

[Floris Bennema, feb 2016]

Literature

- Humann, P., & DeLoach, N. (2002). Reef Creature Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas (p. 420). Jacksonville (FL): New World Publications.
- Interactive Guide to Caribbean Diving M. De Kluijver, G. Gijswijt, R. de Leon & I. da Cunda.
- The Sponge Guide. S. Zea, Henkel, T.P., and Pawlik, J.R. 2014.