Sponge Guide

UNCW National Science Foundation Valdosta State University Universidad Nacional de Colombia

Observed Characteristics:

Color:

  • red
  • orange

Morphology:

  • bushy
  • encrusting
  • massive

Consistency:

  • soft
  • tough

Sample Locations:

  • Bahamas
  • United States

Monanchora arbuscula

Notes: Also known as Monanchora barbadensis Hechtel, 1969 and M. unguifera (de Laubenfels, 1953). Bright scarlet encrustations to thick or thin bushes. Encrusting specimens with oscules scattered, marked by a white collar and a star pattern of exhalant canals, although these sometimes are not discernible. Erect specimens with many surface knobs or lamellae and oscules on top of tube-like elevations; a lightly colored vein pattern can or cannot be evident. It stains the fingers when handled. Often specimens lack one or more categories of microsclere spicules, making identification problematic.

Author Reference: (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864)

 

Link: World Porifera Database