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
editThe brain sponge may grow to 20 centimetres (7.9 in) 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
editThis sponge lives on rocky reefs subtidally to 25 metres (82 ft).
References
edit- ^ "Isodictya elastica (Vosmaer, 1880)". WoRMS. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
- ^ a b Samaai, Toufiek; Gibbons, Mark J. (November 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 (2008). A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula. Cape Town: SURG. ISBN 978-0-620-41639-9.
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