Purple Tube Sponge [Smenospongia conulosa]
Description
The Purple Tube Sponge is a marine sponge species that thrives in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. It is named for its distinct purple color and tubular structure. These sponges grow in clusters, with each individual tube reaching up to 50 cm in length. Like other sponges, they are filter feeders and play a crucial role in maintaining the health of coral reefs by filtering out particulates from the water.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Sponges
Porifera
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Demospongiae
Demospongiae
|
| Order |
Dictyoceratida
Dictyoceratida
|
| Family |
Thorectidae
Thorectidae
|
| Genus |
Smenospongia
Smenospongia
|