Aplysina cauliformis

Description. Thin-branched, ramose sponges (two specimens were obtained, Fig. 6 a). Size of largest specimen about 25 cm high, individual branches up to 1.5 cm diameter. Surface finely conulose. Color in alcohol dark pink. Consistency firmly compressible. Skeleton. (Fig. 6 b) An isotropical reticulation of pithed spongin fibres, 35 – 100 µm diameter, forming meshes of 200 – 600 µm diameter. Pith occupies 30 – 75 % of the fiber diameter.

Sumber: Sponges of the Guyana Shelf

Distribution and ecology. Guyana Shelf, Greater Caribbean, E and NE Brazil, from 3 – 100 m depth. Remarks. The present material matches quite closely with Pinheiro et al. ’ s (2007) review of the species. The identification is made with confidence, despite the absence of live color information.

Sumber: Sponges of the Guyana Shelf

Distribution. Tropical western Atlantic, from the Bahamas to Brazil.

Sumber: Diversity of sponges (Porifera) from cryptic habitats on the Belize barrier reef near Carrie Bow Cay

Description: Specimens consist of slender cylindrical branches with regular diameter, single or grouped, sometimes with anastomoses and ramifications. In studied specimens the projections present a maximum length of 36 cm, and maximum diameter of 1 cm. Oscula are often longitudinally aligned on the projections. The surface is finely conulose. Consistency hard. Purple or light-yellow in vivo, and purple after preservation in alcohol (Figs. 1 B – C, 4 A). Skeleton: Choanosome formed by an irregular polygonal reticulation of spongin fibers (Fig. 4 B). Bark with amber colour 22 – 190 Μm thick (average 74 Μm) and a thick pith that can be black or amber, 7 – 115 Μm (average 30 Μm) (Fig. 4 C, Tab. II). TABLE II: Spongin fibres’ measurement data for Aplysina cauliformis (Carter, 1882) (in micrometers, S. D. = Standard Deviation and N = 30). UFRJPOR 4407 (REVIZEE) BA 77.5 126.2 190.0 22.8 30.0 58.2 115.0 18.6 * BA, Bahia State; PE, Pernambuco State.