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Demospongiae > Suberitida > Halichondriidae > Topsentia pseudoporrecta

Observed Characteristics:

Color:

  • white
  • cream

Morphology:

  • encrusting
  • massive
  • papillated

Consistency:

  • crumbly
  • tough

Locations:

  • Bahamas

Species Description and Notes

Notes: Also known in the Caribbean as Topsentia porrecta, which is a name from the Azores (E. Atlantic). Encrusting to massive, creamy white, with fistules arising from the main body. Consistency stiff, crumbly. It is similar in consistency and skeleton (oxeas of various sizes, confused in arrangement, with a crust of spicules paratangentially arranged) to Topsentia ophiraphidites, also pictured in this catalogue, but the latter usually has tan to brownish tinges and when it has projections these are irregular and seldom papilla-like. The two specimens examined had abundant sand grains throughout the skeleton and on the surface, often forming a distinguishable cortex. Pending analysis of spicule sizes.

Author Reference: Diaz, Pomponi & van Soest, 1993

 

Link: World Porifera Database

Tissue and Spicule Images

Images

pseudoporrecta

  • Location: San Salvador, Bahamas
  • Photographer: Tadeusz Molinski
  • Location: Northern Exuma Cays, Bahamas
  • Photographer: Sven Zea
  • Location: Northern Exuma Cays, Bahamas
  • Photographer: Sven Zea