The brain sponge (Isodictya elastica) is a species of marine demosponge in the family Isodictyidae.[1] This sponge is known from the west coast of South Africa to Port Elizabeth. It is endemic to this region.[2]
| Brain sponge | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Porifera |
| Class: | Demospongiae |
| Order: | Poecilosclerida |
| Family: | Isodictyidae |
| Genus: | Isodictya |
| Species: | I. elastica
|
| Binomial name | |
| Isodictya elastica (Vosmaer, 1880)
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Description edit
The brain sponge may grow to 20 cm across. It has a smooth surface, covered with many scattered oscula. It may be beige to pink in colour and grows in two forms: one massive and convoluted, rather like a brain, and the other with narrowing fingers. Its texture is soft and compressible.[2][3]
Habitat edit
This sponge lives on rocky reefs subtidally to 25m.
References edit
- ^ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Isodictya elastica (Vosmaer, 1880)". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
- ^ a b 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
- ^ Jones, Georgina. A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula. SURG, Cape Town, 2008. ISBN 978-0-620-41639-9
.jpg){kind=small} | This article about a demosponge is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |