Penares sphaera
| Penares sphaera | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Porifera |
| Class: | Demospongiae |
| Order: | Tetractinellida |
| Family: | Geodiidae |
| Genus: | Penares |
| Species: | P. sphaera
|
| Binomial name | |
| Penares sphaera (Lendenfeld, 1907)
| |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Penares sphaera, the crater sponge, is a deep sea demosponge from southern Africa.
Description[edit]
This pale sponge has a thick encrusting growth form. It ranges from white to pale peach to light grey. [2][3] It is very hard, almost stony.[2] It does, however, tear easily. The surface looks smooth but has a rough texture.[3] White ringed ostioles are scattered across the surface and may be more clustered in some parts.[2] Oscules are abundant on the upper parts. It may grow to be 110 mm (4.3 in) long and 90 mm (3.5 in) wide.[3]
Spicules[edit]
The following spicules make up the skeleton of this species:[2]
- Dichotriaenes (spicules that branch in pairs) with short rays
- Curved robust oxeas (spicules with pointed ends)
- Curved microxeas (small oxeas)
Skeleton[edit]
Dichotriaenes and envelop the surface. The longest rays face inwards. Oxeas and microxeas are scattered in the choanosome. The cortex is made of densely packed microxeas.[2]
Distribution and habitat[edit]
This species is found off the coast of Namibia and off the West, South and East Coasts of South Africa. It grows on solid surfaces at depths of 107–500 m (351–1,640 ft).[2][3]
Ecology[edit]
This species is sometimes found growing on other sponges.[2] Molluscs may be found living within the sponge and invertebrates may be found living on the surface. [3]
References[edit]
- ^ "Penares sphaera". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g Uriz, María Jesús (1988). Deep-water sponges from the continental shelf and slope of Namibia (south-west Africa). Classes Hexactinellida and Demospongiae. CSIC-Instituto de Ciencias del Mar (ICM)
- ^ a b c d e Atkinson, Lara J; Sink, Kerry J (2018). Field guide to the offshore marine invertebrates of South Africa (PDF). Pretoria: South African Environmental Observation Network. ISBN 978-1-86868-098-6. OCLC 1037159161.