Ectyonopsis pluridentata

Ectyonopsis pluridentata, the fused branch sponge, is a species of demosponge from South Africa.

Ectyonopsis pluridentata
Scientific classification Edit this 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]
  • Ectyonancora pluridentata Lévi, 1963

Description

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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]

Distribution and habitat

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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]

References

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  1. ^ ""Ectyonopsis pluridentata"". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b Atkinson, Lara J; Sink, Kerry J (2018). Field guide to the offshore marine invertebrates of South Africa (PDF). Pretoria: South African Environmental Observation Network. ISBN 978-1-86868-098-6. OCLC 1037159161.
  3. ^ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Ectyonopsis pluridentata (Lévi, 1963)". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2023-07-16.