Row pore rope sponge (Aplysina cauliformis)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Aplysina cauliformis
- Common name
- Row pore rope sponge
- Category
- Sponges
- Family
- Aplysinidae
- Genus
- Aplysina
- Size
- 20–200 cm
- Depth
- 3–30 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef, rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, solitary
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, Mediterranean
Description
Aplysina cauliformis reaches 2 m. Caribbean sponge (Aplysinidae) with erect rope body purple to pink-mauve to purple-brown, often branching and tangled, granular surface, small aligned oscula. Lives from 3 to 30 m on Caribbean coral and rocky reefs, Florida to Venezuela. Filter feeder. Sensitive to Aplysina Red Band Syndrome decimating populations. Spectacular dive photo subject of Caribbean reefs for vivid colors and graphic tangles.
Photo of Row pore rope sponge
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Row pore rope sponge?
- Row pore rope sponge (Aplysina cauliformis) reaches 20–200 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Row pore rope sponge?
- Row pore rope sponge is found between 3–30 m deep.
- Is the Row pore rope sponge dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Row pore rope sponge?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Row pore rope sponge?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, Mediterranean.
Other species in the genus Aplysina
- Aplysina fulva - Yellow-brown rope sponge
- Aplysina archeri - Stove-pipe sponge
- Aplysina aerophoba - Yellow tube sponge
Other species in the family Aplysinidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 169642)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2239328)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia