PORT PHILLIP BAY


Sponge 

Suberites sp. MoV 6682

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

At least three very different growth forms within this genus exist, but all species of Suberites have the characteristic velvety (hispid) surface. The pale yellow to cream-coloured Suberites globosus is one example.

Brief species characters:
Growth form: encrusting, lobate.
Mineral skeleton: siliceous.
Megescleres: monaxone.
Surface texture: smooth, velvety.

Family level characters:
Suberitid sponges are characterised by their lack of a differentiated outer layer, cortex, and the absence of microscleres in all but a few species. Body form can be encrusting, massive-globular, or stalked and branching.

Order level characters:
Hadromerid sponges are often brightly coloured and are also characterised by a radial arrangement of megascleres in the cortex. The megascleres are pin-head shaped tylostyles and pointed, rod-shaped oxeas. Microscleres if present may be star-shaped, rod-shaped or spiral and are key characters when separating these sponges at the family level.

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

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Porifera
Class:
Demospongiae
Order:
Hadromerida
Family:
Suberitidae
Genus:
Suberites

General Description

A yellow to orange sponge species with encrusting to lobate form. Size of about 20 cm.

Biology

Species in this genus group occur throughout the world, but most species are found in cooler temperate waters like those off Australia's southern coast.

Habitat

Reef and jetty areas, at depths of 3-10 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 6682

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, Suberites , in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 21 Sep 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/7692

Text: creative commons cc by licence