Kingdom Animalia Class Demospongiae Suborder Microcionina Scientific name Clathria dayi | Phylum Porifera Order Poecilosclerida Family Microcionidae Rank Species | |
The broad-bladed tree sponge, Clathria (Clathria) dayi, is a species of demosponge. It is known from the west coast of South Africa and around Cape Point to False Bay. It is probably endemic to this region.
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Description
The broad-bladed tree sponge may grow to 20 cm in height and be 2–4 cm thick. It is a massive erect sponge, having broad flat blades extending from a small stalk. It has a slightly hairy texture, but is smooth in appearance. It is bright red in colour.
Habitat
This sponge lives on rocky reefs in 15-272m of water.
References
Broad-bladed tree sponge Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA