eastern cape scuba diving
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| Scientific name: |
Polymastia mamillaris |
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| Common name: |
White teat sponge |
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| Taxonomy |
| Phyulm |
Sub Phylum |
Class |
Sub Class |
Order |
Sub Order |
Family |
Sub Family |
Genus |
Species |
| Porifera |
Cellularia |
Demospongiae |
Tetractinomorpha |
Hadromerida |
Not Defined |
Polymastiidae |
Not Defined |
Polymastia |
Polymastia mamillaris |
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Short Description:
The body is dirty grey, or orange yellow in cleaner water conditions. The papillae are creamy-white to pale yellow.The sponge is firmly attached to rock beneath the sediment. The oscules and pores are carried on the cylindrical, slightly tapering, papillae. The exhalent papillae are large, few in number and, with the terminal oscules usually open, can be distinguished easily from the thinner inhalent papillae. The pores are located towards the upper ends of the papillae, but are not obvious
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Identification
features: |
That of the body is hispid, roughened by projecting spicules which trap sediment particles, ranging from mud to fine gravel. On a few occasions, when the surface is clear of sediment, the sponge may be seen enveloped in algae or bryozoans, etc. The papillae are smooth and clean; often a fine network of spicules can be seen on the surface. |
| Size: |
A low, spreading cushion (up to 1cm thick), with stiffly erect, semi-contractile papillae projecting above the sediment covered body |
| Behaviour: |
The sponge is firmly attached to rock beneath the sediment. |
| Diet: |
Filterfeeder |
| Distribution: |
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| Depth: |
5-30m |
| Habitat: |
This species is usually found on upward facing rock (rarely on boulder tops), or at the sediment/bedrock interface with the body beneath a layer of sediment. Never found out in the open on bottom . |
| Reference: |
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| Similar Species: |
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Database Statistics
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eastern cape scuba diving
