Sponge Guide

UNCW National Science Foundation Valdosta State University Universidad Nacional de Colombia

Observed Characteristics:

Color:

  • yellow
  • brown
  • cream
  • cinnamon-tan

Morphology:

  • tube
  • vase

Consistency:

  • soft
  • tough

Sample Locations:

  • Bahamas

Aplysina bathyphila

Notes: Tan to cream stalked, solid cups. This is the only stalked Aplysinid in The Caribbean. It inhabits the deep reef slopes. Pale specimens in caves and crevices. Variation in consistency and color may imply the existence of more than one species. It needs to be compared to A. ocracea Alcolado, 1984, which may be a senior synonym (P. Alcolado, pers. comm.).

Author Reference: Maldonado & Young, 1998

 

Link: World Porifera Database