Kidney sponge (Chondrosia reniformis)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Chondrosia reniformis
- Common name
- Kidney sponge
- Category
- Sponges
- Family
- Chondrosiidae
- Genus
- Chondrosia
- Size
- 10–30 cm
- Depth
- 2–50 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky
- Behaviours
- sessile, filter-feeder
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean
Description
Chondrosia reniformis forms fleshy masses of 10 to 30 cm shaped like kidneys or flat lobes with smooth brown-red surfaces. Unique feature: no silica or calcareous spicules, skeleton made purely of collagen. Actively studied for biomedical applications in tissue regeneration. Common on dimly-lit Mediterranean rock walls between 2 and 50 m.
Photo of Kidney sponge
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Kidney sponge?
- Kidney sponge (Chondrosia reniformis) reaches 10–30 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Kidney sponge?
- Kidney sponge is found between 2–50 m deep.
- Is the Kidney sponge dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Kidney sponge?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Kidney 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 134112)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2248804)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia