Porifera
Scopalina ruetzleri
1. In situ (Patrick Erwin)
2. In situ (Patrick Erwin)
3. In situ (Patrick Erwin)
4. In situ - close up of oscules (Patrick Erwin)
5. Out of water (Patrick Erwin)
6. Out of water (Patrick Erwin)
Size
Colony height and width: 7.5cm (3")
Recognition Characters
Sponge is semi-encrusting to amorphous forming irregular clumps. The consistency is very soft, delicate, limp, extremely compressible and easily torn. Surface is extremely conulose. Conules are small, 1-2mm in height. The spicules are long, slender styles and occasionally styloids.
Color
Yellow to yellowish orange or creamy yellow
Habitat & Depth
Shallow inshore habitats such as mangrove roots and patch reefs. Also tropical and temperate reefs and wrecks. To 30m.
Distribution at GRNMS
Common at GRNMS. Encrusts rocks and a variety of sessile organisms including other sponges and the soft coral Telesto.
Geographic Range
Bermuda, North Carolina, Florida, Caribbean.
Behavior & Notes
The sponge collapses to a somewhat shiny, fragile film upon drying. Often small gemmules resembling tiny oranges are visible.
Synonyms
Ulosa ruetzleri
Wiedenmayer 1977