Polymastia boletiformis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Polymastia boletiformis | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Porifera |
| Class: | Demospongiae |
| Order: | Polymastiida |
| Family: | Polymastiidae |
| Genus: | Polymastia |
| Species: | P. boletiformis |
| Binomial name | |
| Polymastia boletiformis (Lamarck, 1815) | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Polymastia boletiformis also known as the Yellow Hedgehog Sponge is a species of sponge belonging to the family Polymastiidae.[1] It is found in the Arctic Ocean and on both sides of the North Atlantic Ocean.
Polymastia boletiformis forms small cushions or broad-based masses of tissue up to 10 cm (4 in) in diameter, adhering firmly to the substrate. A number of hollow, cylindrical papillae up to 3 cm (1.2 in) long project from the upper surface, with an osculum (exhalant opening) at the tip of each, and many small inhalant pores on the sides of the papillae. The mesohyl, a jelly-like layer in the body wall, is stiffened by mineral spicules, large and small needle-like megascleres, but there are no microscleres. The texture of this sponge is smooth and firm but supple, and the colour is yellowish-grey, yellow or orange. The papillae are contractile, and bend over if the sponge is handled; they are the same colour as the rest of the sponge, which helps distinguish this species from the rather similar Polymastia penicillus, Polymastia mamillaris and Ciocalypta penicillus.[2][3]
