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Demospongiae > Verongiida > Aplysinidae > Aplysina fulva

Observed Characteristics:

Color:

yellow
green

Morphology:

branching
tube

Consistency:

tough

Locations:

Bahamas
United States

Species Description and Notes

Notes: Mustard yellow groups of branches with scattered oscules flush to the surface or sometimes over mounds, especially at the base. In the latter case there may be a gradation of form from low tubes with branchelets in A. insularis (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864), also pictured here, to low oscular mounds with branches in A. fulva. In some areas in the Bahamas the species tends to be greenish yellow, contrasting with co-existing typical mustard yellow branches of this species and tubes of Aplysina fistularis (Pallas, 1766) and A. insularis tubes with outgrowing branchelets. This makes us wonder if the greenish morph (pictured here) belongs to a different species or if these combinations of mustard yellow tubes and branches are hybrids.

Author Reference: (Pallas, 1766)

Link: World Porifera Database