Flat leaf sponge

The flat leaf sponge (Isodictya grandis) is a species of marine demosponge in the family Isodictyidae.[1] This sponge is known from the west coast of South Africa to False Bay. It is endemic to this region.[2]

Flat leaf sponge
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Porifera
Class: Demospongiae
Order: Poecilosclerida
Family: Isodictyidae
Genus: Isodictya
Species:
I. grandis
Binomial name
Isodictya grandis
(Ridley & Dendy, 1886)
Synonyms
  • Desmacidon grandis (Ridley & Dendy, 1886)
  • Homoeodictya grandis Ridley & Dendy, 1886

Description

The flat leaf sponge may grow to 1 cm thick and 20 cm high. It is an erect, thin-bladed sponge, with the blades narrowing to points at the tips. Its texture is smooth but slightly hairy with small oscula on the blade edges. It is orange-red in colour.[2][3]

Habitat

This sponge lives on rocky reefs from 15-37m.

References

  1. http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=168459 accessed 19 November 2010
  2. Samaai, T. and Gibbons, M.J. 2005. Demospongiae taxonomy and biodiversity of the Benguela region on the west coast of South Africa. Afr. Nat. Hist. 1(1):1-96
  3. Jones, Georgina. A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula. SURG, Cape Town, 2008. ISBN 978-0-620-41639-9


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