Rhaphidophlus junipera

Size

Colony height and width: thin and encrusting, 0.5cm (0.15")

Recognition Characters

Sponge forms beautiful colonies of intricate design. Sponge arises from narrow peduncle and then divides multiple times to form a complicated network of branching and anastomosing septa. Sponge is very tough in consistency. Overall shape is somewhat spherical.

Color

Bright red or red

Habitat & Depth

Tropical and temperate reefs. To 40m depth.

Distribution at GRNMS

Rare. Found encrusting bryozoans and other organisms on the tops of ledges and rocky outcroppings.

Geographic Range

North Carolina south to the Bahamas

Behavior & Notes

This sponge is commonly inhabited by small, colonial zooanthids.

Synonyms

Microciona juniperina

References

Wells et al. 1960