Yellow-brown rope sponge (Aplysina fulva)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Aplysina fulva
- Common name
- Yellow-brown rope sponge
- Category
- Sponges
- Family
- Aplysinidae
- Genus
- Aplysina
- Size
- 30–150 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 fulva reaches 1.5 m. Caribbean sponge (Aplysinidae) with body in long sinuous ropes yellow-orange to yellow-brown attached to substrate by their base, smooth surface with small oscula. Lives from 3 to 30 m on Caribbean coral and rocky reefs, from Brazil to Bermuda. Filter feeder, hosts many invertebrates and small fish. Produces secondary metabolites studied in pharmacology. Classic Caribbean reef dive photo subject for vivid colors and sculptural shapes.
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Yellow-brown rope sponge?
- Yellow-brown rope sponge (Aplysina fulva) reaches 30–150 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Yellow-brown rope sponge?
- Yellow-brown rope sponge is found between 3–30 m deep.
- Is the Yellow-brown rope sponge dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Yellow-brown rope sponge?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Yellow-brown rope sponge?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, Mediterranean.
Other species in the genus Aplysina
- Aplysina cauliformis - Row pore rope sponge
- Aplysina archeri - Stove-pipe sponge
- Aplysina aerophoba - Yellow tube sponge
Other species in the family Aplysinidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 169649)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2239310)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia