Cactus sponge
Sollasella cf. digitata
Irregular digitate sponges attached by a small base. The digitate processes are regularly cylindrical. Occasionally branches partly coalesce and become irregular but are always terminally rounded. The surface appears hairy due to some spicules extending slightly beyond it but this is rare. Polygonal fields are found on the surface formed by the terminations of spicule bundles. They are separated from each other by narrow furrows which have rows of inhalant pores. Preserved colour is black internally; the cortex is lighter brown. Beneath the surface are extensive lacunae which separate the cortex from the centre of the sponge.
Morphology
Stalked erect branching sponge
Behaviour
Sessile; Filter feeder
Habitat
Marine
Distribution
East coast of Australia, Kimberley to Pilbara, WA
Kingdom: | Animalia |
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Phylum: | Porifera |
Class: | Demospongiae |
Subclass: | Heteroscleromorpha |
Order: | Axinellida |
Family: | Raspailiidae |
Subfamily: | Raspailiinae |
Genus: | Sollasella |
Species: | cf. digitata |
Name Published Year: | 1888 |
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Scientific Name Authorship: | Lendenfeld |
Commercial Impact: | None |
Conservation Assessment: | Least Concern |
Cite this page
Western Australian Museum Collections https://museum.wa.gov.au/online-collections/names/sollasella-cf-digitata
Accessed 15 Sep 2023
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