PORT PHILLIP BAY


Sponge 

Clathria sp. MoV 6683

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

The skeleton of sponges in this subgenus is a uniform mesh of fibre and/or spicular elements, a structure known as reticulate. Fibres are not echinated. In habit they may be massive, plate-like (lamellate), lobed (lobate) or finger-like (digitate).

Brief species characters:
Growth form: foliose.
Mineral skeleton: siliceous.
Megescleres: monaxone.
Surface texture: smooth, translucent.

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. 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:
Microcionidae
Genus:
Clathria
Subgenus:
Isociella

General Description

An orange sponge species with foliose form. Size of about 30 cm.

Habitat

Reef areas, at depths of 10-20 m.

Sponge gardens

Reefs

Distribution guide

Victoria.

Species Group

Sponges › Demosponges

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

30 cm

Diet

Plankton or particles

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Species Code

sp. MoV 6683

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 17 Jun 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/7662

Text: creative commons cc by licence