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Demospongiae > Spirophorida > Tetillidae > Cinachyrella kuekenthali

Observed Characteristics:

Color:

yellow
cream
orange-yellow

Morphology:

spherical

Consistency:

soft
tough

Sample Locations:

Bahamas

Species Description and Notes

Notes: Previously placed under genus Cinachyra. Orange-yellow spheres with fouled surface. Surface hispid with erect spicules which may stick into diver's fingers and gloves. Circular depresions are pore areas. Small individuals have a top oscule and equatorially placed pore areas. Larger specimens have oscules grouped in an upper depression and pore areas more randomly scattered throughout the surface. Cinachyrella alloclada (Uliczka, 1929) is another common species of this genus, but we were unable to find it or perhaps to distinguish it within our material. C. kuekenthali is distinguished mainly by having a category of small, crenulated oxea spicules.

Author Reference: (Uliczka, 1929)

 

Link: World Porifera Database

 

Images

Cinachyrella kuekenthali


Location: Bahamas, Stirrups Cays, N Berry Islands
Photographer: Sven Zea

Location: Bahamas, Sweetings Cay
Photographer: Sven Zea

Location: Bahamas, Sweetings Cay
Photographer: Sven Zea

Location: Bahamas, Stirrups Cays, N Berry Islands
Photographer: Sven Zea

Location: Bahamas, Stirrups Cays, N Berry Islands
Photographer: Sven Zea

Location: Bahamas, Stirrups Cays, N Berry Islands
Photographer: Sven Zea

Location: Bahamas, Bimini
Photographer: Sven Zea

Location: Bahamas, Little Inagua
Photographer: Sven Zea