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Demospongiae > Poecilosclerida > Crambeidae > Monanchora arbuscula

Observed Characteristics:

Color:

red
orange

Morphology:

bushy
encrusting
massive

Consistency:

soft
tough

Sample Locations:

Bahamas
United States

Species Description and Notes

Notes: Also known as Monanchora barbadensis Hechtel, 1969 and M. unguifera (de Laubenfels, 1953). Bright scarlet encrustations to thick or thin bushes. Encrusting specimens with oscules scattered, marked by a white collar and a star pattern of exhalant canals, although these sometimes are not discernible. Erect specimens with many surface knobs or lamellae and oscules on top of tube-like elevations; a lightly colored vein pattern can or cannot be evident. It stains the fingers when handled. Often specimens lack one or more categories of microsclere spicules, making identification problematic.

Author Reference: (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864)

 

Link: World Porifera Database

 

Images

Monanchora arbuscula


Location: Bahamas, Sweetings Cay
Photographer: Sven Zea

Location: Bahamas, Sweetings Cay
Photographer: Sven Zea

Location: United States, Florida Keys
Photographer: Joseph Pawlik

Location: United States, Florida Keys
Photographer: Joseph Pawlik

Location: Bahamas, Northern Exuma Cays
Photographer: Sven Zea

Location: Bahamas, Cat Cays - Bimini
Photographer: Sven Zea

Location: United States, Florida Keys
Photographer: Joseph Pawlik