Elephant ear sponge (Axinella polypoides)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Axinella polypoides
- Common name
- Elephant ear sponge
- Category
- Sponges
- Family
- Axinellidae
- Genus
- Axinella
- Size
- 20–70 cm
- Depth
- 10–100 m
- IUCN status
- Near threatened (NT)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, solitary
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean
Description
Axinella polypoides reaches 70 cm height. Large Mediterranean and East Atlantic sponge (Axinellidae) with erect body orange to yellow-orange in thick finger or branching arm shape, finely velvety surface. Lives from 10 to 100 m on Mediterranean coralligenous drop-offs and rocky reefs. IUCN Near Threatened (sensitive to trawling and warming, mass mortality episodes). Iconic Mediterranean coralligenous dive photo subject, orange silhouette above purple of Corallium rubrum.
Photo of Elephant ear sponge
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Elephant ear sponge?
- Elephant ear sponge (Axinella polypoides) reaches 20–70 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Elephant ear sponge?
- Elephant ear sponge is found between 10–100 m deep.
- Is the Elephant ear sponge dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Elephant ear sponge?
- IUCN status: Near threatened (NT).
- Where can you find the Elephant ear sponge?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean.
Similar species
- Aplysina fulva - Yellow-brown rope sponge
- Aplysina cauliformis - Row pore rope sponge
- Aplysina archeri - Stove-pipe sponge
- Agelas conifera - Brown tube sponge
- Callyspongia vaginalis - Branching vase sponge
- Callyspongia plicifera - Azure vase sponge
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 132487)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5183154)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia