PORT PHILLIP BAY


Sponge 

Callyspongia sp. MoV 6674

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

This genus group sponges are characterised by an abundance of spongin fibres in their skeleton making them both tough and flexible. The mesh or reticulation is formed by a hierarchy of fibres; primary, secondary and tertiary. These sponges are generally pale in colour and the skeletal fibres are clearly visible through the transparent surface.

Brief species characters:
Growth form: digitate.
Mineral skeleton: siliceous.
Megescleres: monaxone.
Surface texture: porous.

Family level characters:
Most growth forms are represented in this family of sponges including encrusting, massive, vase-shaped, tubular, fan-shaped, plate-like and branching. Species within the family are differentiated by two main features; the reticulation of spicules or mesh type on the surface (ectosome) and the presence or absence of spongin fibres in the internal region of the sponge (choanosome).

Order level characters:
This order contains the greatest biodiversity of sponges with representatives inhabiting all oceans and habitat types, including freshwater bodies, of every continent in the world. Sponges of this order are characterised by a triangular mesh formed by their fibre and/or spicular skeletal elements. This is termed an isodictyal skeleton. The megasclere spicules found in haplosclerid sponges are exclusively oxeas, with either sharply pointed, or rounded (strongylote) ends. Microscleres are present in representatives of only a few genera. Some of the more common marine species are included here.

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

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Porifera
Class:
Demospongiae
Order:
Haplosclerida
Family:
Callyspongiidae
Genus:
Callyspongia
Subgenus:
Callyspongia

General Description

A pale purple sponge species with digitate form. Size of about 50 cm.

Habitat

Sand areas, at depths of 10-30 m.

Sponge gardens

Soft substrates

Distribution guide

Port Phillip in Victoria.

Species Group

Sponges › Demosponges

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

50 cm

Diet

Plankton or particles

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Species Code

sp. MoV 6674

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, Callyspongia , in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 25 Feb 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/7655

Text: creative commons cc by licence