''Aaptos papillata'' is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of
sea sponge
Sponges, the members of the phylum Porifera (; meaning 'pore bearer'), are a basal animal clade as a sister of the diploblasts. They are multicellular organisms that have bodies full of pores and channels allowing water to circulate through t ...
belonging to the family
Suberitidae
Suberitidae is a family of sea sponges belonging to the order Suberitida. Genera
*Suberites
*Homaxinella
*Rhizaxinella
*Caulospongia
*Pseudospongosorites
*Aaptos
...
References
Suberitidae,
Sponge families
{{demosponge-stub ...
. This species was first described in 1880. It is native to the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, the English Channel and the Mediterranean Sea.
Description
''Aaptos papillata'' is a massive sponge growing in a domed shape, the smooth velvety surface being densely covered in small, low nipples. The
oscula through which water exits are small and few in number. The colour of this sponge is pink flushed with purple, the nipples being paler. The interior is creamy-pink in the middle and yellowish-ochre near the surface, which is often obscured by sand and shell fragments. The consistency is firm but elastic.
Biology
Like most species of sponge, ''Aaptos papillata'' is a filter feeder. Water passes in through pores, food particles are filtered out and the water passes out through the oscula. It feeds on bacteria and small planktonic particles not exceeding three microns in diameter. Its means of reproduction have not been studied but it is likely to be similar to other members of its family. Sponges are generally
hermaphrodite
In reproductive biology, a hermaphrodite () is an organism that has both kinds of reproductive organs and can produce both gametes associated with male and female sexes.
Many Taxonomy (biology), taxonomic groups of animals (mostly invertebrate ...
; sexual reproduction is by the release of gametes into the
water column
A water column is a conceptual column of water from the surface of a sea, river or lake to the bottom sediment.Munson, B.H., Axler, R., Hagley C., Host G., Merrick G., Richards C. (2004).Glossary. ''Water on the Web''. University of Minnesota-D ...
; asexual reproduction may be by budding, or by detachment of fragments of sponge.
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References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q2069684
Aaptos
Sponges described in 1880