Class Demospongiae Suborder Microcionina | Phylum Porifera | |
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The tree sponge, Echinoclathria dichotoma, is a species of demosponge. It is known from the west coast of South Africa to Cape Agulhas. It is endemic to this region.
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Description
The tree sponge may grow to 15 cm in height. It is a bright red sponge which grows upright and branches like a tree. The surface texture is smooth and the branch tips are rounded. Its oscula are inconspicuous.
Habitat
This sponge lives on rocky reefs subtidally to 43m.
Ecology
This sponge is often colonised by a white zoanthid, Parazoanthus sp.
References
Tree sponge Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA