- Notes: Dark brown to dark and light green to gray, soft cushions. Compared to the other dark (brown to black) species of the genus in the Caribbean [Plakortis halichondroides (Wilson, 1902)], it is thinner, it has smaller oscules and smaller spicules (up to about 120 µm). Specimens without spicules (regardless of color) are included as a separate species (Plakortis sp.-no spicules) pending further work with other tools. Some of our specimens of P. angulospiculatus had relatively few spicules. It may be that they all belong to one or several species (perhaps distinguished by predominant color) in which spicule contents vary ecologycally, from many to none. Perhaps the variability of the color, pungent smell and consistency implies a complex of several species which may include Plakortis zygompha (de Laubenfels, 1934), P. insularis Moraes & Muricy, 2003 and P. microrhabdifera Moraes & Muricy, 2003. We have not yet made a detailed analysis of spicule morphology and size and skeletal arrangement.
- Author Reference: (Carter, 1882)
- Link: World Porifera Database
| Color: |
| black |
| brown |
| green |
| Morphology: |
| encrusting |
| massive |
| Consistency: |
| soft |
| Locations: |
| Bahamas - Cat Cays - Bimini |
| Bahamas - Great Inagua |
| Bahamas - Little Inagua |
| Bahamas - Little San Salvador |
| Bahamas - Northern Exuma Cays |
| Bahamas - Plana Cays |
| Bahamas - San Salvador |
Images of Plakortis angulospiculatus :