Agelas conifera explained

Agelas conifera, also known as the brown tube sponge, is a species of sponge. Its color is brown, tan, or greyish brown with a lighter interior. It is common in the Caribbean and Bahamas, and occasional in Florida.^[1] Agelas conifera contains bromopyrrole alkaloids, notably sceptrin and oroidin, and levels of these feeding-deterrents increase upon predation.^[2] Agelas conifera exhibit a wound response, increasing the production and release of bromopyrrole alkaloids, which appear to also protect against harmful microorganisms. ^[3]

Related species

• Agelas clathrodes

Notes and References

1. Humann, Paul, Reef creature Identification, Edited by Ned Deloach. New World Publications, Inc., 1992, p. 22-23.
2. Sven Rohde . Samuel Nietzer . Peter J. Schupp . 2015. Prevalence and Mechanisms of Dynamic Chemical Defenses in Tropical Sponges. PLOS ONE. 10. 7 . 4496075. 26154741. 10.1371/journal.pone.0132236. e0132236. 2015PLoSO..1032236R . free .
3. Richelle-Maurer, E., De Kluijver, M. J., Feio, S., Gaudêncio, S., Gaspar, H., Gomez, R., Tavares, R., Van de Vyver, G., & Van Soest, R. W. M. (2003). Localization and ecological significance of Oroidin and Sceptrin in the caribbean sponge agelas conifera. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, 31(10), 1073–1091. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0305-1978(03)00072-3