Kary Mar
Info
Marine sponges occur in different shapes, colors and water depths in our oceans, and the vast majority of them feed as filter feeders / suspension feeders on the smallest organic material from zooplankton and phytoplankton.
In addition, there are pure carnivorous sponges and those that, like many corals, have formed a symbiosis with energy-producing zooxanthellae (cyanobacteria endo-symbionts), including Polyfibrospongia contorta.
Polyfibrospongia contorta forms thin-walled cups or shells with low parallel ribs on the surface and a short basal stalk.
Sea sand is often clearly recognizable in the surface skeleton.
Polyfibrospongia contorta has tiny oscules that are conspicuous under the microscope, characterized by worm-like fibres that form columns.
Polyfibrospongia contorta reproduces sexually with larvae.
On first superficial examination, the sponge can easily "pass" as a plate-shaped growing coral.
Synonym: Carteriospongia contorta Bergquist, Ayling & Wilkinson, 1988
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
In addition, there are pure carnivorous sponges and those that, like many corals, have formed a symbiosis with energy-producing zooxanthellae (cyanobacteria endo-symbionts), including Polyfibrospongia contorta.
Polyfibrospongia contorta forms thin-walled cups or shells with low parallel ribs on the surface and a short basal stalk.
Sea sand is often clearly recognizable in the surface skeleton.
Polyfibrospongia contorta has tiny oscules that are conspicuous under the microscope, characterized by worm-like fibres that form columns.
Polyfibrospongia contorta reproduces sexually with larvae.
On first superficial examination, the sponge can easily "pass" as a plate-shaped growing coral.
Synonym: Carteriospongia contorta Bergquist, Ayling & Wilkinson, 1988
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
