PORT PHILLIP BAY


Sponge 

Phorbas sp. MoV 6691

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

These sponges have a distinct crust of chelae microscleres at the surface. Colours include bright orange and species can be thickly encrusting to lobate in form.

Brief species characters:
Growth form: encrusting.
Mineral skeleton: siliceous.
Megescleres: monaxone.
Surface texture: lumpy, oscules prominent.

Family level characters:
Most species in the family Hymedesmiidae feature the specialised pore sieve-plates (areolae) on the surface. They differ from the crellids by lacking the crust of spined spicules near the surface. Again these sponges may be encrusting, branching or massive.

Order level characters:
This order contains the highest diversity of sponge species in the phylum, spread amongst 25 families. Member species have been recorded from all marine habitats. 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. Examples from 11 of the 25 families are included here.

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

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Porifera
Class:
Demospongiae
Order:
Poecilosclerida
Family:
Hymedesmiidae
Genus:
Phorbas

General Description

An orange to red sponge species with encrusting form. Size of about 60 cm.

Habitat

Reef and jetty areas, to depth of 5 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

60 cm

Diet

Plankton or particles

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Species Code

sp. MoV 6691

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, Phorbas , in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 25 Feb 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/7680

Text: creative commons cc by licence