Polymastia penicillus
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| Polymastia penicillus | |
|---|---|
_Figure_13_(cropped-A).png) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Porifera |
| Class: | Demospongiae |
| Order: | Polymastiida |
| Family: | Polymastiidae |
| Genus: | Polymastia |
| Species: | P. penicillus |
| Binomial name | |
| Polymastia penicillus | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Polymastia penicillus is a species of sponge belonging to the family Polymastiidae.[1] It is found in shallow water in the northeastern and the northwestern Atlantic Ocean, growing on rocks in areas of high sedimentation.
Polymastia penicillus forms small cushions which are up to 3 cm (1.2 in) high and can grow to a diameter of 20 cm (8 in). 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. The papillae can be retracted. This sponge is pale yellow, the papillae often being translucent or paler than the rest of the tissue. A similar species occupying the same habitat is Polymastia boletiformis, but that is a slightly darker yellow and forms a less-spreading, thicker cushion with darker papillae. Sediment is less likely to settle on the surface of P. boletiformis whereas P. penicillus often appears dirty.[2]