PORT PHILLIP BAY


Sponge 

Acheliderma fistulatum (Dendy, 1896)

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

These fistulose sponges are characterised by their possession of elongate, rod-shaped microxea microscleres with diamond-shaped tips.

Brief species characters:
Growth form: bladder-like.
Mineral skeleton: siliceous.
Megescleres: monaxone.
Surface texture: fistulose.

Family level characters:
Many of the species in this family take burrowing, excavating or encrusting forms with protruding fistules.

Order level characters:
This order contains the highest diversity of sponge species in the phylum, spread amongst 25 families. Poecilosclerid sponges are characterised by the presence of both organic (fibre) and inorganic (spicular) skeletal components, both usually well developed. Different spicule and skeletal elements are often localised to particular regions of the sponge. A diverse range of spicule types is displayed throughout this order including the c-shaped chelae microscleres that are peculiar to this order.

Source: Goudie, L., Norman, M. N. and Finn, J. K. (in press) Sponges, Museum Victoria.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Porifera
Class:
Demospongiae
Order:
Poecilosclerida
Family:
Acarnidae
Genus:
Acheliderma
Species:
fistulatum

General Description

A sandy to yellow sponge species with bladder-like form. Size of about 15 cm.

Biology

This species is known only from Victoria and Bass Strait. It consolidates sand grains into a solid mass with very fine, transparent fistules protruding.

Habitat

Sand areas, at depths of 10-60 m.

Sponge gardens

Soft substrates

Distribution guide

Victoria.

Species Group

Sponges › Demosponges

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

15 cm

Diet

Plankton or particles

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Identify

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Not listed

Author

article author Goudie, L.

Lisa Goudie is a consultant with expertise in sponge taxonomy.

citation

Cite this page as:
Goudie, L., 2011, Sponge, Acheliderma fistulatum, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 25 Feb 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/7651

Text: creative commons cc by licence