| Common Name(s): |
None |
| Growth Form: |
A series of low volcano-like mounds arising from a wide, thickly encrusting base. |
| Surface: |
Low, blunt to pointed cones (conules) in irregular groups or scattered. |
| Color: |
Pale parrot green outside, yellowish inside. |
| Consistency: |
Compressible, tough, but not elastic; it can be torn with some strength. |
| Exudate: |
Produces abundant mucus when handled; tissue begins to dissolve soon after specimen is collected; turns dark when handled or upon exposure to air. |
| Oscules: |
Large, with a dermal collar, on top of mounds. |
| Skeletal Components (Spicules, Fibers): |
Laminated spongin fibers 20-50 μm in diameter. No spicules. |
| Skeletal Architecture: |
A network of rounded to polygonal meshes 250-600 μm across; ascending fibers are wider and sometimes concentrated in bundles, mostly recognizable towards the surface. Ends of fibers reach the surface, supporting the conical elevations. |
| Ecology: |
On coral reefs and hard bottoms. |
| Distribution: |
Reported from South Florida and the Cayman Islands. |
| Notes: |
This Smenospongia species from Florida differs from other currently recognized species in the genus (S. aurea, S. conulosa and S. cerebriformis) in having thinner fibers (up to 50 μm as opposed to 100-180 μm in the others) 1) that produce a rather subtle system of conules on the surface, 2) in the larger dimensions of the prismatic meshes, and 3) in its tendency to macerate rapidly after collection. Smenospongia echina is currently a junior synonym of S. cerebriformis. We treat the Florida specimen tentatively as Smenospongia aff. echina pending comparison with the type material. |
| References: |
Hyatt (1875), Pulitzer-Finali (1986), Wiedenmayer (1977). |
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| Similar species: |
Verongula rigida |
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