The brain sponge (Isodictya elastica) is a species of marine demosponge in the family Isodictyidae.[1] This sponge is known from the west coast of South Africa to Port Elizabeth. It is endemic to this region.[2]

Brain sponge
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Porifera
Class: Demospongiae
Order: Poecilosclerida
Family: Isodictyidae
Genus: Isodictya
Species:
I. elastica
Binomial name
Isodictya elastica
(Vosmaer, 1880)
Synonyms
  • Desmacidon elastica Vosmaer, 1880
  • Homoeodictya elastica (Vosmaer, 1880)

Description

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The brain sponge may grow to 20 centimetres (7.9 in) across. It has a smooth surface, covered with many scattered oscula. It may be beige to pink in colour and grows in two forms: one massive and convoluted, rather like a brain, and the other with narrowing fingers. Its texture is soft and compressible.[2][3]

Habitat

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This sponge lives on rocky reefs subtidally to 25 metres (82 ft).

References

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  1. ^ "Isodictya elastica (Vosmaer, 1880)". WoRMS. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
  2. ^ a b Samaai, Toufiek; Gibbons, Mark J. (November 2005). "Demospongiae taxonomy and biodiversity of the Benguela region on the west coast of South Africa". Afr. Nat. Hist. 1 (1): 1–96.
  3. ^ Jones, Georgina (2008). A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula. Cape Town: SURG. ISBN 978-0-620-41639-9.