Sponge Guide

UNCW National Science Foundation Valdosta State University Universidad Nacional de Colombia
Species: Cliona vermifera
  • Location: Sweetings Cay, Bahamas
  • Habitat: deep reef
  • Photographer: Sven Zea
  • Picture Taken On: 2011-07-18 05:39:24
  • Picture Notes: A coral was broken to reveal the excavation of this sponge. Notice the strongly colored small papillae breaking out on the right side. The orange sponge encrusting the coral on the left side is Clathria spinosa.
  • Color: orange
  • Morphology: papillated
  • Consistency: soft

Spicules image: a) Tylostyles (with spiraster at the same scale); b) ends of tylostyles; c) spirasters. Sample from the Bahamas. Photos and image composite by Angela Marulanda (U. Javeriana, Cali, Colombia).