Demospongiae |
Dictyoceratida |
Spongiidae
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Sessile; depth range 4 - 300 m (Ref. 124162). Subtropical
Northeast Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Characterised by a growth form ranging from cup- to fan-shaped (elephant ear), surface finely conulose, with many oscula clustered inside the cup, and capable of reaching very large sizes. Wall is 5-10 mm in thickness. Large and irregularly-shaped inhalant pores and oscule clubs. Color: dark gray to brown (Refs. 126952, 125944).
A rare Mediterranean species, commercially exploited as bath sponge and its collection is regulated by Annex II of Barcelona Convention (Ref. 126952). Minimum depth from Ref. 126952. Found in a variety of habitats like sandy and rocky bottom, Posidonia meadows, sciaphilic algae and sponges, caves and overhangs (Refs. 126952, 124162). Bathymetric range from shallow water to 22-300 m (Ref. 124162).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Members of the class Demospongiae are hermaphroditic. Life cycle: The zygote develops into parenchymella larva (free-swimming) before settling down on a substrate where it grows into a young sponge.
Dordevic, N., V. Macic and S. Petovic. 2021. (Ref. 126952)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)
CITES status (Ref. 108899)
Not Evaluated
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial
| FishSource |
Tools
More information
Age/SizeGrowthLength-weightLength-lengthMorphologyLarvaeAbundance
Internet sources
Estimates based on models