PORT PHILLIP BAY


Sponge 

Clathria sp. MoV 6684

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

These sponges may be massive or plant-like in habit. The skeleton is undifferentiated, or uniform in appearance throughout the internal region of these sponges. Fibres are usually echinated by megascleres, which may be spined or smooth.

Brief species characters:
Growth form: spherical.
Mineral skeleton: siliceous.
Megescleres: monaxone.
Surface texture: opaque, irregular.

Family level characters:
Approximately 460 species of sponges from this family have been described worldwide with about 150 known from Australia, most of which occur in shallow water. Taxonomic identifications within this family are based on microscopic features including regional differences within the skeleton of the sponge and microsclere morphology. Members of this family adopt encrusting, lobate, branching or plate-like habits.

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:
Microcionidae
Genus:
Clathria
Subgenus:
Clathria

General Description

An orange sponge species with spherical form. Size of about 20 cm.

Habitat

Reef areas, to depth of 25 m.

Sponge gardens

Reefs

Distribution guide

Port Phillip in Victoria.

Species Group

Sponges › Demosponges

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

20 cm

Diet

Plankton or particles

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Species Code

sp. MoV 6684

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, Clathria , in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 25 Feb 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/7661

Text: creative commons cc by licence