Ectyonopsis pluridentata
Species of demosponge
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ectyonopsis pluridentata, the fused branch sponge, is a species of demosponge from South Africa.
| Ectyonopsis pluridentata | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Porifera |
| Class: | Demospongiae |
| Order: | Poecilosclerida |
| Family: | Myxillidae |
| Genus: | Ectyonopsis |
| Species: | E. pluridentata |
| Binomial name | |
| Ectyonopsis pluridentata (Lévi, 1963) | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Description
The fused branch sponge is made up of a thick cluster of fused branches arising from an indistinct base. It grows up to 130 mm (5.1 in) long and 160 mm (6.3 in) wide. It is beige to rusty brown in colour. The surface is rough and is covered in small (<1 mm (0.039 in)) circular ostia. While it is firm and compressible, it also breaks easily.[2]
It is a suspension and a filter feeder.[3]
Distribution and habitat
This species is endemic to South Africa. It is found on the South and West coasts of the country, where it lives at depths of 79–201 m (259–659 ft).[2]
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