Sponge Guide

UNCW National Science Foundation Valdosta State University Universidad Nacional de Colombia

Observed Characteristics:

Color:

  • red
  • white
  • brown
  • cream
  • cinnamon-tan

Morphology:

  • fan
  • vase

Consistency:

  • crumbly

Sample Locations:

  • Bahamas

Petrosia (Petrosia) pellasarca

Notes: Ear to fan-shaped, uniformly thick (ca. 1 cm), smooth, crumbly, reddish brown (pale in shaded parts). Can be confused with Cribrochalina vasculum (Lamarck, 1814), also pictured here, which is tougher and elastic. Also, with Petrosia weinbergi van Soest, 1980, pictured here, with which it shares a wide range size of oxea spicules, but lack the small toxa, is more crispy in consistency, and is greenish.

Author Reference: (de Laubenfels, 1934)

 

Link: World Porifera Database