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Demospongiae > Tethyida > Tethyidae > Tectitethya crypta

Observed Characteristics:

Color:

white
green
black

Morphology:

massive

Consistency:

crumbly
soft
tough

Locations:

Bahamas

Species Description and Notes

Notes: Also placed under genera Tethya and Cryptotethya. Thick to globular masses with top, membranous oscules. Surface papillated. Heavy fouling prevents detailing the surface and color, which is dark olive green. The species lives in sand and rubble in lagoonal environments. Sarà & Bavastrello (1996) described several new species of Tectitethya from the Caribbean (e.g., T. keyensis, T. macrostella) that are externally and internally similar to T. crypta. All our specimens were assigned to T. crypta on the basis of the typical external shape and color. Whether these conform to one or various species would need further study.

Author Reference: (de Laubenfels, 1949)

Link: World Porifera Database