Sponge Guide

UNCW National Science Foundation Valdosta State University Universidad Nacional de Colombia

Observed Characteristics:

Color:

  • yellow
  • brown
  • cinnamon-tan
  • orange-yellow

Morphology:

  • branching
  • lobate
  • tube

Consistency:

  • tough

Sample Locations:

  • Bahamas

Aplysina sp.-“long branchelets”

Notes: Central branch or low tube with branchelets. Cinnamon-tan with golden-brown or purple tinges. Sponge may be heavily fouled by algae. The surface of the central branch or tube has concave shallow depressions; oscules on upper portions. A yellow specimen comprising only a branch was found clinging to a cave wall. It was compared to adjacent A. cauliformis (Carter, 1882) -brown erect and -lilac creeping morphotypes (both also pictured here) and colors differ. The finding of several specimens with the same morphology may indicate it is a different species on its own, but it may be a crevice or juvenile stage of A. fulva (Pallas, 1766), or of A. caulilformis-brown erect morphotype, or of A. lacunosa (Lamarck, 1814), all pictured here.