Clathria dayi
Clathria dayi, the broad-bladed tree sponge, is a species of demosponge.[1] It is known from the west coast of South Africa and around Cape Point to False Bay. It is probably endemic to this region.[1]
| Clathria dayi | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Porifera |
| Class: | Demospongiae |
| Order: | Poecilosclerida |
| Family: | Microcionidae |
| Genus: | Clathria |
| Subgenus: | Clathria |
| Species: | C. dayi |
| Binomial name | |
| Clathria dayi Lévi, 1963 | |
Description
The broad-bladed tree sponge may grow to 20 cm in height and be 2–4 cm thick. It is a massive erect sponge, having broad flat blades extending from a small stalk. It has a slightly hairy texture, but is smooth in appearance. It is bright red in colour.[1][2]
Habitat
This sponge lives on rocky reefs in 15-272m of water.
References
- 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
- Jones, Georgina. A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula. SURG, Cape Town, 2008. ISBN 978-0-620-41639-9
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