UNCW National Science Foundation Valdosta State University Universidad Nacional de Colombia The Sponge Guide

 

Notes: Mustard yellow groups of branches with scattered oscules flush to the surface or sometimes over mounds, especially at the base. In the latter case there may be a gradation of form from low tubes with branchelets in A. insularis (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864) to low oscular mounds with branches in A. fulva. In some areas in the Bahamas the species tends to be greenish yellow, contrasting with co-existing typical mustard yellow branches of this species and tubes of Aplysina fistularis (Pallas, 1766) and A. insularis tubes with outgrowing branchelets. This makes us wonder if the greenish morph (pictured here) belongs to a different species or if these combinations of mustard yellow tubes and branches are hybrids.
 
Author Reference: (Pallas, 1766)
 
Link: World Porifera Database
 
Color:
green
yellow
Morphology:
branching
spherical
tube
Consistency:
tough
Locations:
Bahamas - Great Inagua
Bahamas - Plana Cays
Bahamas - San Salvador
Bahamas - Stirrups Cays, N Berry Islands
Bahamas - Sweetings Cay
United States - Florida Keys

  

 

 

Images of Aplysina fulva :

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