| Ectyonopsis pluridentata | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Porifera |
| Class: | Demospongiae |
| Order: | Poecilosclerida |
| Family: | Myxillidae |
| Genus: | Ectyonopsis |
| Species: | E. pluridentata |
| Binomial name | |
| Ectyonopsis pluridentata (Lévi, 1963) | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
| |
Ectyonopsis pluridentata, the fused branch sponge, is a species of demosponge from South Africa.
The fused branch sponge is made up of a thick cluster of fused branches arising from an indistinct base. It grows up to 130 mm (5.1 in) long and 160 mm (6.3 in) wide. It is beige to rusty brown in colour. The surface is rough and is covered in small (<1 mm (0.039 in)) circular ostia. While it is firm and compressible, it also breaks easily. [2]
It is a suspension and a filter feeder. [3]
This species is endemic to South Africa. It is found on the South and West coasts of the country, where it lives at depths of 79–201 m (259–659 ft). [2]
Hexasterophora are a subclass of glass sponges in the class Hexactinellida. Most living hexasterophorans can be divided into three orders: Lyssacinosida, Lychniscosida, and Sceptrulophora. Like other glass sponges, hexasterophorans have skeletons composed of overlapping six-rayed spicules. In addition, they can be characterized by the presence of hexasters, a type of microsclere with six rays unfurling into multi-branched structures.
Iophon cheliferum, also known as the white reticulated sponge, is a species of sea sponge which lives on the bottom of the ocean. It is a deep water species found in the south eastern Pacific Ocean and South Africa.
Tumidodromia dormia, the sleepy sponge crab or common sponge crab, is the largest species of sponge crab and the only species in the genus Tumidodromia. It grows to a carapace width of 20 cm (8 in) and lives in shallow waters across the Indo-Pacific region.
Haliclona anonyma, the turret sponge or tubular fan sponge, is a species of demosponge. It is endemic to South Africa, where it occurs between the Cape Peninsula and Sodwana Bay.
Haliclona stilensis, the encrusting turret sponge, is a species of demosponge. It is known around the southern African coast, from Namibia to the South African south coast.
The multicoloured sea fan is a species of gorgonian sea fan in the family Melithaeidae.
Cliona delitrix is a species of burrowing demosponge belonging to the family Clionaidae. It is found in shallow water in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.
The palmate sea fan is a species of gorgonian sea fan in the family Gorgoniidae.
The furred sponge crab, Pseudodromia latens, is a species of crab in the family Dromiidae, often referred to as sponge crabs.
Clathria prolifera, commonly known as red beard sponge, is a species of sea sponge in the family Microcionidae. It is native to shallow water habitats in the western Atlantic Ocean from Prince Edward Island southwards to Florida and Mexico, and possibly Brazil. In the twentieth century it also became established on the west coast of the United States.
Glyptidotea is a monotypic genus of isopod in the family Idoteidae. Its sole member is Glyptidotea lichtensteini, the keeled isopod, a medium-sized isopod found on the coast of southern Africa.
Exosphaeroma laeviusculum is a species of isopod in the family Sphaeromatidae, native to the west coast of southern Africa.
Fibulia ramosa, or the columnar sponge, is a species of deep-sea demosponge from the southern hemisphere.
Phorbas pustulosus, or the baseball glove sponge, is a species of demosponge known from the coast of South Africa and from the Patagonian Shelf.
Antho prima, or Antho (Acarnia) prima also known as the orange fan sponge is a species of sponge belonging to the genus Antho found on the south coast of South Africa and the coast of New Zealand.
Clathria lissoclada, the triangular blade sponge, is a species of demosponge from the southern hemisphere.
Penares sphaera, the crater sponge, is a deep sea demosponge from southern Africa.
Tetilla casula, the volcano sponge, is a species of demosponge from the south coast of South Africa.
Rossella antarctica is a relatively small species of glass sponge. It is widely distributed in the southern hemisphere, particularly in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions.
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