Sponge Guide

UNCW National Science Foundation Valdosta State University Universidad Nacional de Colombia

Observed Characteristics:

Color:

  • yellow

Morphology:

  • encrusting
  • massive

Consistency:

  • tough

Sample Locations:

  • Bahamas
  • Colombia

Dercitus (Halinastra) luteus

Notes: Bright lemon yellow encrustations or cavity-filling masses living in crevices and under corals, with the tissue peculiarly stretched from wall to floor or wall to wall. It turns dark purple-brown when exposed to air. Originally placed under genus Pachataxa (P. lutea) of family Calthropellidae (see van Soest et al., 2010). Material from the Bahamas only has a few of the calthrop megasclere spicules characteristic of the species, and quite deformed and of much smaller size than those from the type locality (Jamaica) and from Colombia.

Author Reference: (Pulitzer-Finali, 1986)

 

Link: World Porifera Database