Print species info – Sponge Guide

Demospongiae > Verongiida > Aplysinidae > Aplysina sp.-“long branchelets”

Observed Characteristics:

Color:

yellow
brown
cinnamon-tan
orange-yellow

Morphology:

branching
lobate
tube

Consistency:

tough

Locations:

Bahamas

Species Description and Notes

Notes: Central branch or low tube with branchelets. Cinnamon-tan with golden-brown or purple tinges. Sponge may be heavily fouled by algae. The surface of the central branch or tube has concave shallow depressions; oscules on upper portions. A yellow specimen comprising only a branch was found clinging to a cave wall. It was compared to adjacent A. cauliformis (Carter, 1882) -brown erect and -lilac creeping morphotypes (both also pictured here) and colors differ. The finding of several specimens with the same morphology may indicate it is a different species on its own, but it may be a crevice or juvenile stage of A. fulva (Pallas, 1766), or of A. caulilformis-brown erect morphotype, or of A. lacunosa (Lamarck, 1814), all pictured here.