All of the following sponges are found within the coral cap region of the sanctuary (0-130 ft, 0-40m deep). Common names are listed, if known.
Sponges
Common Name |
Scientific Name |
|
Acanthella cubensis |
Orange Elephant Ear Sponge
![orange elephant ear sponge (Agelas clathrodes)](/image_library/sponges/orangeelephantearspongegpsmd.jpg)
![orange elephant ear sponge (Agelas clathrodes)](/image_library/sponges/orangeelephantearsponge2elhmd.jpg)
![orange elephant ear sponge (Agelas clathrodes)](/image_library/sponges/orangeelephantearsponge3elhmd.jpg)
|
Agelas clathrodes |
Brain Sponge |
Ageles cf. cerebrum |
|
Agelas dispar |
Branching Tube Sponge
![branching tube sponge (Aiolochroia crassa)](/image_library/sponges/branchingtubesponge1elhmd.jpg)
![Branching Tube Sponge (Aiolochroia crass)](/image_library/sponges/branchingtubesponge2gpsmd.jpg)
![branching tube sponge (Aiolochroia crassa)](/image_library/sponges/branchingtubesponge2elhmd.jpg)
![branching tube sponge (Aiolochroia crassa)](/image_library/sponges/branching tubespongegpsmd.jpg)
|
Aiolochroia (Pseudoceratina) crassa
|
|
Ancorina sp. |
Brown Volcano Carpet/
Brown Variable Sponge |
Anthosigmella varians |
Sulphur Sponge |
Aplysilla sulfurea |
Row Pore Rope Sponge
![row pore rope sponge (Aplysina cauliformes)](/image_library/sponges/rowporeropespongeelhmd.jpg)
![row pore rope sponge (Aplysina cauliformes)](/image_library/sponges/rowporeropespongeelh2md.jpg)
|
Aplysina cauliformes |
|
Auletta sycinularia |
|
Batzella rubra |
Branching Vase Sponge
![branching vase sponge (Callyspongia vaginalis)](/image_library/sponges/branchingvasespongekldmd.jpg)
![branching vase sponge (Callyspongia vaginalis)](/image_library/sponges/branchingvasespongegpsmd.jpg)
|
Callyspongia vaginalis |
Chicken Liver Sponge
![chicken liver sponge (Chondrilla nucula)](/image_library/sponges/chickenliverspongeelhmd.jpg) |
Chondrilla nucula
|
|
Chondrosia sp. |
|
Clathria sp. |
Red Boring Sponge |
Cliona delitrix |
|
Cliona schmidti |
![Cliona sp.](/image_library/sponges/clionaspongeelhmd.jpg) |
Cliona sp. |
|
Corallistes typus |
|
Didiscus oxeata |
Ethereal/Heavenly Sponge
![ethereal sponge (Dysidea etheria)](/image_library/sponges/etherealspongegpsmd.jpg)
(found on platform only) |
Dysidea etheria |
Brown Encrusting Octopus Sponge
![brown encrustingoctopus sponge (Ectyoplasia ferox)](/image_library/sponges/brownencrustingoctopusspongegpsmd.jpg)
![brown encrusting octopus sponge (Ectyoplasia ferox)](/image_library/sponges/eferoxspongeelhmd.jpg)
![brown encrusting octopus sponge (Ectyoplasia ferox)](/image_library/sponges/brownencrustingoctopousspongegps2md.jpg)
|
Ectyoplasia ferox |
|
Epipolasis sp. |
|
Erylus alleni |
|
Erylus trisphaera |
|
Geodia gibberosa |
|
Halichondria sp. |
|
Haliclona sp. |
|
Higginsia coralloides |
Stinker Sponge
![stinker sponge (Ircinia felix)](/image_library/sponges/stinkerspongeelhmd.jpg) |
Ircinia felix |
Black-ball Sponge
![black-ball sponge (Ircinia strobilina)](/image_library/sponges/blackballspongegpsmd.jpg) |
Ircinia strobilina |
|
Mycale angulosa |
Strawberry Vase Sponge
![strawberry vase sponge (Mycale laxissima)](/image_library/sponges/strawberryvasespongegpsmd.jpg)
![strawberry vase sponge (Mycale laxissima)](/image_library/sponges/strawberryvasespongeelhmd.jpg)
|
Mycale laxissima |
|
Myriastra fibrosa |
Convoluted Orange Sponge |
Myrmekioderma gyroderma |
Touch-me-not Sponge
![touch-me-not sponge (Neofibularia nolitangere)](/image_library/sponges/touchmenotspongegpsmd.jpg) |
Neofibularia nolitangere |
|
Neofibularia nolitangere oxeata |
Lavender Rope Sponge
![lavendar rope sponge (Niphates erecta)](/image_library/sponges/lavendarropespongeelhmd.jpg)
![Lavender Roper Sponge (Niphates erecta)](/image_library/sponges/lavenderropespongerjemd.jpg)
|
Niphates erecta |
|
Petrosia sp. |
|
Placspherastra antillensis |
|
Placospongia melobesioides |
|
Plakortis zyggompha |
Red-orange Branching Sponge![Red-orange Branching Sponge (Ptilocaulis sp.)](/image_library/sponges/ptilocaulisspongegpsmd.jpg)
![Red-orange Branching Sponge (Ptilocaulis sp.)](/image_library/sponges/ptilocaulisspongeelhmd.jpg)
|
Ptilocaulis sp. |
|
Rhizaxinella clava |
|
Rhizochalina sp. |
Variable Boring Sponge
|
Siphonodictyon coralliphagum |
Loggerhead Sponge |
Spheciospongia vesparium
|
|
Spirastrella cunctatrix |
Yellow Sponge |
Spongia barbara |
|
Stellata sp. |
Orange Lumpy Encrusting Sponge |
Ulosa ruetzleri |
|
Verongia cauliformis |
|
Verongula reiswigi |
Giant Barrel Sponge
![giant barrel sponge](/image_library/sponges/giantbarrelspongeelhmd.jpg)
![giant barrel sponge](/image_library/sponges/barrelspongeelhmd.jpg)
|
Xestospongia muta
Video |
|
Yucatania sphaeroidocladus |