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Demospongiae > Verongida > Aplysinidae > Aplysina bathyphila

Observed Characteristics:

Color:

yellow
brown
cream
cinnamon-tan

Morphology:

tube
vase

Consistency:

soft
tough

Sample Locations:

Bahamas

Species Description and Notes

Notes: Tan to cream stalked, solid cups. This is the only stalked Aplysinid in The Caribbean. It inhabits the deep reef slopes. Pale specimens in caves and crevices. Variation in consistency and color may imply the existence of more than one species. It needs to be compared to A. ocracea Alcolado, 1984, which may be a senior synonym (P. Alcolado, pers. comm.).

Author Reference: Maldonado & Young, 1998

 

Link: World Porifera Database

 

Images

Aplysina bathyphila


Location: Bahamas, San Salvador
Photographer: Sven Zea

Location: Bahamas, San Salvador
Photographer: Sven Zea

Location: Bahamas, Egg Island
Photographer: Sven Zea

Location: Bahamas, San Salvador
Photographer: Sven Zea

Location: Bahamas, San Salvador
Photographer: Sven Zea

Location: Bahamas, Little San Salvador
Photographer: Sven Zea

Location: Bahamas, San Salvador
Photographer: Sven Zea

Location: Bahamas, San Salvador
Photographer: Sven Zea

Location: Bahamas, Northern Exuma Cays
Photographer: Joseph Pawlik