Sollasella cf. digitata collected from Wheatstone near Onslow (Photo: M.A. Abdul Wahab)

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

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Porifera
Class: Demospongiae
Subclass: Heteroscleromorpha
Order: Axinellida
Family: Raspailiidae
Subfamily: Raspailiinae
Genus: Sollasella
Species: cf. digitata
Name Published Year: 1888
Scientific Name Authorship: Lendenfeld
Commercial Impact: 

None

Conservation Assessment: Least Concern

Net Conservation Benefits Fund

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Western Australian Museum Collections https://museum.wa.gov.au/online-collections/names/sollasella-cf-digitata
Accessed 15 Sep 2023

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