''Placospongia'' is a
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...
of
sea sponges
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 ...
belonging to the family
Placospongiidae
Placospongiidae is a family of sponges belonging to the order Clionaida.
Genera:
* ''Onotoa'' Laubenfels, 1955
* '' Placospherastra'' van Soest, 2009
* ''Placospongia
''Placospongia'' is a genus of sea sponges belonging to the family Placospon ...
.
This genus is characterized by a high density of
siliceous
Silicon dioxide, also known as silica, is an oxide of silicon with the chemical formula , most commonly found in nature as quartz and in various living organisms. In many parts of the world, silica is the major constituent of sand. Silica is one ...
spicule
Spicules are any of various small needle-like anatomical structures occurring in organisms
Spicule may also refer to:
*Spicule (sponge), small skeletal elements of sea sponges
*Spicule (nematode), reproductive structures found in male nematodes ( ...
s. Members of this genus are known to be eaten by
hawksbill turtle
The hawksbill sea turtle (''Eretmochelys imbricata'') is a critically endangered sea turtle belonging to the family Cheloniidae. It is the only extant species in the genus ''Eretmochelys''. The species has a global distribution, that is large ...
s.
Species
*''
Placospongia carinata''
*''
Placospongia melobesioides
''Placospongia'' is a genus of sea sponges belonging to the family Placospongiidae.
This genus is characterized by a high density of siliceous spicule (sponge), spicules. Members of this genus are known to be eaten by hawksbill turtles.
Species ...
''
References
Hadromerida
{{demosponge-stub