- Notes: Massive, often forming groups of adjacent oscular mounds or volcanos. It becomes dark and exudes abundant mucus when handled. There are three color morphs of this species: drab to brown skin-yellow oscules-yellow flesh; light greenish skin-yellow green oscules-yellow green flesh; yellow skin and interior. Two different species are readily distinguished in the Caribbean, often co-existing: S. aurea and S. conulosa Pulitzer-Finali, 1986. It is distinguished from S. conulosa by the honeycomb pattern of the dermis resting on fibers while in S. conulosa the primary fibers ends at the surface form blunt projections not connected to each other. A possibly third species, vivid parrot green in color is also included in this catalogue. There is considerable taxonomic confusion regarding S. aurea, with many names still available, which persist owing to the similarity among fixed, type specimens. Older names that may fit into this species are those of Duchassaing & Michelotti (1864, Spongia musicalis, Spongia cerebriformis), and also younger Polyfibrospongia echina de Laubenfels, 1934.
- Author Reference: (Hyatt, 1875)
- Link: World Porifera Database
| Color: |
| cinnamon-tan |
| cream |
| gray |
| green |
| yellow |
| Morphology: |
| branching |
| lobate |
| massive |
| tube |
| Consistency: |
| soft |
| tough |
| Locations: |
| Bahamas - Crooked Island |
| Bahamas - Great Inagua |
| Bahamas - Little Inagua |
| Bahamas - Little San Salvador |
| Bahamas - Plana Cays |
| Bahamas - San Salvador |
| Bahamas - Sweetings Cay |
| United States - Florida Keys |
Images of Smenospongia aurea :