Penares sphaera

Penares sphaera, the crater sponge, is a deep sea demosponge from southern Africa.

Description

This pale sponge has a thick encrusting growth form. It ranges from white to pale peach to light grey. It is very hard, almost stony. It does, however, tear easily. The surface looks smooth but has a rough texture. White ringed ostioles are scattered across the surface and may be more clustered in some parts. Oscules are abundant on the upper parts. It may grow to be long and wide.

Spicules

The following spicules make up the skeleton of this species:

Dichotriaenes with short rays
Curved robust oxeas
Curved microxeas

Skeleton

Dichotriaenes and envelop the surface. The longest rays face inwards. Oxeas and microxeas are scattered in the choanosome. The cortex is made of densely packed microxeas.

Distribution and habitat

This species is found off the coast of Namibia and off the West, South and East Coasts of South Africa. It grows on solid surfaces at depths of.

Ecology

This species is sometimes found growing on other sponges. Molluscs may be found living within the sponge and invertebrates may be found living on the surface.