Red Boring Sponge [Cliona delitrix]
Description
The Red Boring Sponge, Cliona delitrix, is a species of demosponge that excavates and inhabits the calcium carbonate skeletons of living and dead corals. They are typically red or orange in colour and have a firm texture. They are found in warm, shallow waters and are known to be aggressive borers, causing significant damage to coral reefs.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Sponges
Porifera
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Demospongiae
Demospongiae
|
| Order |
Tetractinellida
Tetractinellida
|
| Family |
Stony Sponges
Pachastrellidae
|
| Genus |
Stony Boring Sponge
Alectona
|