Unidentified sponge 16
©Anne Hoggett: Organism or complex found in underhang of canyon on NE side of Lizard Island. Roughly spherical central part (without protrusions) is about 5 cm diameter.
©Anne Hoggett: Detail of organism or complex found in underhang of canyon on NE side of Lizard Island.
©Anne Hoggett: Detail of organism or complex found in underhang of canyon on NE side of Lizard Island.
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Porifera
Species
Unidentified sponge 16
Colours
Distinguishing features
Bright yellow or pink roughly spherical mass about 5 cm diameter with many fine radiating protrusions; fixed to reef surface; firm to touch. Numerous dark stuctures (lophophores?) on the protrusions. Habitat is distinctive, deep in reef canyon, low light level.
Similar organisms have been identified online as the sponge Craniella abracadabra but that needs to be verified, and it does not explain the stuctures that may be lophophores.
Size
- Size data has not been obtained.
