''Suberites dandelenae'', the amorphous solid sponge, is a species of deep-sea

demosponge Demosponges (Demospongiae) are the most diverse class in the phylum Porifera. They include 76.2% of all species of sponges with nearly 8,800 species worldwide (World Porifera Database). They are sponges with a soft body that covers a har ...

from South Africa and Namibia.

Description

This sponge is made up of rounded lobes. Each lobe has a distinct

oscule The osculum (plural "oscula") is an excretory structure in the living sponge, a large opening to the outside through which the current of water exits after passing through the spongocoel. Wastes diffuse into the water and the water is pumped th ...

on the top surface. Individual specimens can grow up to in length. It is yellow in colour and has a velvety surface. It breaks easily.

Spicules

Several morphologically similar species occur, but they differ at the spicule level. The following spicules are present in this species: * Three distinct size classes of tylostyles (spicule with a point at one end and a knob at the other). * Centrotylostongyles/oxeas (needle-shaped spicules with a sharp point at either end). * Tylostrongyles (spicules that have a swollen end). * Microacanthostrongyle (small spine covered spicules that have a rounded end).

Distribution and habitat

This species is found off the west coast of southern Africa. It is known from the coasts of Namibia and South Africa, where it is found at depths of . It is found on unconsolidated sediments such as sand.

Ecology

This species grows in dense colonies. As much as 18 tons per square kilometer (6.95 tons per square mile) can be collected in a single demersal trawl off some areas of the South African coast. It is considered to be a potential indicator of a vulnerable marine ecosystem.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q61477336 Demospongiae Animals described in 2017 Marine biota of South Africa Temperate Southern Africa fauna