Sponge Guide

UNCW National Science Foundation Valdosta State University Universidad Nacional de Colombia

Observed Characteristics:

Color:

  • yellow
  • orange
  • cream
  • cinnamon-tan

Morphology:

  • encrusting
  • massive

Consistency:

  • hard

Sample Locations:

  • Bahamas

Ceratoporella nicholsoni

Notes: Pink to yellowish, rounded masses, reminiscent of baby butts. Stony hard owing to its calcareous basal skeleton, which makes it a sclerosponge. Spicules are acanthostyles, curved, 120-310 µm. Found in mid depth (15 m) and deeper reef crevices.

Author Reference: (Hickson, 1911)

 

Link: World Porifera Database