Sponge Guide

UNCW National Science Foundation Valdosta State University Universidad Nacional de Colombia

Observed Characteristics:

Color:

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

Morphology:

  • branching
  • encrusting

Consistency:

  • soft
  • tough

Sample Locations:

  • Bahamas
  • Netherland Antilles

Clathria (Thalysias) curacaoensis

Notes: Placed also under genera Aulospongus<(/i>, Microciona, Rhaphidophlus and Thalysias. Also known as Clathria schoenus (de Laubenfels, 1936) and Clathria raraechelae (van Soest, 1984). Thin encrustations to tangled branches with a transparent skin and red and yellow interior (often speckled). Exhalant canals in a star pattern centering in the oscules are evident. Southern Caribbean populations have stouter spicules and there is a small category of chelae (=microchela) absent in Bahamian material.

Author Reference: Arndt, 1927

 

Link: World Porifera Database