Dysidea etheria

Size

Colony height: to 25cm (10")

Recognition Characters

These are massive to semi-encrusting, commonly lobate sponges. The lobes are frequently elongate, lamellar or digitate. Consistency is softly spongy, compressible, and somewhat resilient. The oscules are round, situated on apices of lobes, or scattered on the top plane. The choanosome is fleshy and the skeletal fibroreticulation is irregular. Fibers are packed with calcareous debris.

Color

Light blue both externally and internally.

Habitat & Depth

Tropical and temperate reefs. To 40m depth.

Distribution at GRNMS

Geographic Range

Caribbean, Florida, Georgia

Behavior & Notes

This sponge is the primary prey for the Florida Royal Sea Goddess (Hypsoledoris edenticulata).

Synonyms

References

Wiedenmayer 1977