Brain sponge explained

The brain sponge (Isodictya elastica) is a species of marine demosponge in the family Isodictyidae.^[1] This sponge is known from the west coast of South Africa to Port Elizabeth. It is endemic to this region.^[2]

Description

The brain sponge may grow to across. It has a smooth surface, covered with many scattered oscula. It may be beige to pink in colour and grows in two forms: one massive and convoluted, rather like a brain, and the other with narrowing fingers. Its texture is soft and compressible.^[3]

Habitat

This sponge lives on rocky reefs subtidally to .

Notes and References

1. Web site: Isodictya elastica (Vosmaer, 1880) . . 19 November 2010.
2. Samaai . Toufiek . Gibbons . Mark J. . November 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: Jones, Georgina . A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula . SURG . Cape Town . 2008 . 978-0-620-41639-9.