Tree sponge
| Tree sponge | |
|---|---|
| File:Tree sponge1692.jpg | |
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Porifera |
| Class: | Demospongiae |
| Order: | Poecilosclerida |
| Family: | Microcionidae |
| Genus: | Echinoclathria |
| Species: | E. dichotoma
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| Binomial name | |
| Echinoclathria dichotoma (Lévi, 1963)
| |
| Synonyms | |
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The tree sponge (Echinoclathria dichotoma) is a species of demosponge.[1] It is known from the west coast of South Africa to Cape Agulhas. It is endemic to this region.[1]
Description
[edit | edit source]The tree sponge may grow to 150 mm (5.9 in) in height. It is a bright red to dirty orange sponge which grows upright and branches like a tree.[1][2] The surface texture is smooth and the branch tips are rounded.[1] Its oscula are small (<1 mm (0.039 in) and inconspicuous.[1][2] The surface may be covered in a slimy mucus.[2]
Distribution and habitat
[edit | edit source]This sponge is found on the south and west coasts of South Africa where it lives on rocky reefs subtidally to 69 m (226 ft).[2][3]
Ecology
[edit | edit source]This sponge is often colonised by a white zoanthid, Parazoanthus sp.[4]
References
[edit | edit source]
- ^ a b c d e Samaai, T. and Gibbons, M.J. 2005. Demospongiae taxonomy and biodiversity of the Benguela region on the west coast of South Africa. Afr. Nat. Hist. 1(1):1-96
- ^ a b c d Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Jones, Georgina. A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula. SURG, Cape Town, 2008. Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. and Beckley, L.E. 2010. Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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