Tree sponge
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]
| Tree sponge | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Porifera |
| Class: | Demospongiae |
| Order: | Poecilosclerida |
| Family: | Microcionidae |
| Genus: | Echinoclathria |
| Species: | E. dichotoma |
| Binomial name | |
| Echinoclathria dichotoma (Lévi, 1963) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Description
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
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
This sponge is often colonised by a white zoanthid, Parazoanthus sp.[4]
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
- Atkinson, Lara J; Sink, Kerry J (2018). Field guide to the offshore marine invertebrates of South Africa (PDF). Pretoria: South African Environmental Observation Network. ISBN 978-1-86868-098-6. OCLC 1037159161.
- Jones, Georgina. A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula. SURG, Cape Town, 2008. ISBN 978-0-620-41639-9
- 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 ISBN 978-1-77007-772-0
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