Haliclona anonyma explained

Haliclona anonyma, the turret sponge or tubular fan sponge, is a species of demosponge.^{[1] [2]} It is endemic to South Africa,^[3] where it occurs between the Cape Peninsula and Sodwana Bay.

Description

Haliclona anonyma grows to about 50cm (20inches) across and has turrets of up to 15cm (06inches) long. It is a pink to purplish or brown many-turreted sponge, which grows in sheets usually on vertical walls. The coalescent (fused) tubular branches terminate in rounded ends with slightly raised conspicuous oscules. Its surface is slightly bristly with small ostia (channels allowing for water movement), and its texture is soft and compressible.

Distribution and habitat

This sponge is endemic to the south and west coasts of South Africa. It occurs from the intertidal zone.^[4] It has been found to occur down to 144m (472feet) in depth. They are frequently attached to rocks by coralline algae which grows between the sponge matrix.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Web site: WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Haliclona (Haliclona) anonyma (Stephens, 1915) . www.marinespecies.org . 25 November 2010.
2. Samaai, T. and Gibbons, M.J. 2005. Demospongiae taxonomy and biodiversity of the Benguela region on the west coast of South Africa. Afr. Nat. Hist. 1(1):1-96
3. Book: Atkinson. LJ. Field Guide to the Offshore Marine Invertebrates of South Africa. Sink. KJ. Malachite Marketing and Media. 2018. Pretoria.
4. Jones, Georgina. A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula. SURG, Cape Town, 2008.
5. Stuart. V.. Klumpp. D. W.. 1984. Evidence for food-resource partitioning by kelp-bed filter feeders. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 16. 1/2. 27–37. 10.3354/meps016027 . 24816066 . 1984MEPS...16...27S . 0171-8630. free.