Sponges

Barrel sponge (Xestospongia muta)--these sponges may live for 100 years and grow to over 18 meters tallFrom NOAA-Ocean Explorer website:"The barrel sponge (Xestospongia muta) may live for 100 years and grow to over 6 ft (18.m) tall. While populations have declined at sites throughout the Caribbean, they appear to be quite healthy on Little Cayman Island."

Figure 3. Anoxycalyx joubini on the gangplank at Hut Point, McMurdo Station.The same gangplank with A. joubini in 2010.Source: Dayton PK, Kim S, Jarrell SC, Oliver JS, Hammerstrom K, et al. (2013) Recruitment, Growth and Mortality of an Antarctic Hexactinellid Sponge, Anoxycalyx joubini. PLoS ONE 8(2): e56939. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0056939

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

In situ photo of holotype (courtesy N.J. de Voogd)

Habitus (a) and SEM cross sections (b-d)

On deck photo of ZMA Por. 09833 made by A.D. Vethaak, SE of Heron Island, 8-3-1980, depth 0-8 m