Ectyonopsis pluridentata, the fused branch sponge, is a species of demosponge from South Africa.
| 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] | |
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Description
editThe 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
editThis 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
edit- ^ ""Ectyonopsis pluridentata"". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Ectyonopsis pluridentata (Lévi, 1963)". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2023-07-16.
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