Aplysina fistularis

Aplysina fistularis, commonly known as the yellow sponge or yellow tube sponge, is a species of sea sponge in the order Verongiida.[1] Aplysina fistularis is a golden or orange-brown color with a conulose surface. The animal is abundant in the Caribbean, where it is commonly found in reefs of open water areas.[2] This sponge was first described by the Prussian zoologist Peter Simon Pallas in 1766.

Aplysina fistularis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Porifera
Class: Demospongiae
Order: Verongida
Family: Aplysinidae
Genus: Aplysina
Species:
A. fistularis
Binomial name
Aplysina fistularis
(Pallas, 1766)
Synonyms
List
  • Aplysina aggregata Topsent, 1932
  • Spongia fistularis Pallas, 1766
  • Spongia tubaeformis Lamarck, 1814
  • Verongia fistularis (Pallas, 1766)

Description

Aplysina fistularis consists of tube-like structures that arise from a base. Each tube is rarely over 30 centimeters in clear water but can reach 50 centimeters in turbid-zone reefs.[3] The sponge has wide oscula and thin walls with ridged surfaces. Unlike the related species Aplysina insularis, A. fistularis does not develop rope-like projections around its tubes, although it may show some tendrils branching off of them.[3]

The popular cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants is revealed to be an Aplysina fistularis in the SpongeBob Musical.

References
  1. "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Aplysina fistularis (Pallas, 1766)". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2019-08-30.
  2. "Yellow tube sponge (Aplysina fistularis)". Interactive Guide to Caribbean Diving. Marine Species Identification Portal. Retrieved 2012-10-15.
  3. "Aplysina fistularis". Coralpedia (University of Warwick).
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