Niphates digitalis (Lamarck, 1814)
Pink vase sponge
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Family:  Niphatidae ()
Max. size: 
Environment:  reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 18 m
Distribution:  Western Central Atlantic.
Diagnosis:  Grows in either in vase-, tube- or cup-shape, broadening upward from the base up to 50 cm in height. Fan-shape rare; may be globular or tubular in small specimens. Surface smooth or with conules or soft spines up to 6 mm in height ; coarsely porous. Color varies from pale purplish pink to light bluish to grayish green or gray. Compressible. Small round oscules present inside the vase or cup. A fringe of soft spines usually connected by a transparent membrane is present at the apical opening (Ref. 85482).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans: 
Country info:  Known from the mangrove pond at Cat Cay (Ref. 86789), Pelican Cays (Ref. 86836), and in a submarine cave near Columbus Cay at a depth of 10 m (Ref. 87209). Commensal with Leucothoe ashleyae. C: Ref. 86735, 86836, 83912, 87209; O: Ref. 86789.

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