''Clathrina aurea'' 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
calcareous sponge
The calcareous sponges of class Calcarea are members of the animal phylum Porifera, the cellular sponges. They are characterized by spicules made of calcium carbonate in the form of calcite or aragonite. While the spicules in most species hav ...
from Brazil. Specimens of this species were previously misidentified with ''
Clathrina clathrus
''Clathrina clathrus'' is a species of calcareous sponge belonging to the family Clathrinidae.
This yellow (occasionally white) sponge, up to 10 cm in diameter, usually appears cushion-shaped at a distance (its close relative '' Clathrina c ...
''
Description
Cormus formed of large, irregular and loosely anastomosed tubes with many oscula. Water-collecting tubes are absent. Living specimens have a yellow cormus, which becomes white after preservation in ethanol. The skeleton has no special organisation and it is composed of only equiangular and equiradiate triactines. Actines are cylindrical and slightly undulated near the tip, which is rounded.
References
World Register of Marine Species entry
Clathrina
Animals described in 1991
Fauna of Brazil
Invertebrates of South America
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