Southern Rough Sponge [Ecionemia alata]
Description
Ecionemia alata, or the southern rough sponge, is another species of demosponge within the Ecionemia genus. This sponge is predominantly found in the southern oceans, particularly off the coasts of New Zealand and Australia. It is characterized by its wing-like extensions, or 'alata', which give the sponge an unusual appearance. The sponge is typically found in deeper waters, where it attaches itself to hard substrates on the seabed. Like other sponges, it feeds by filtering microscopic particles from the water.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Sponges
Porifera
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Demospongiae
Demospongiae
|
| Order |
Dendroceratida
Dendroceratida
|
| Family |
Siphonodictyidae
Siphonodictyidae
|
| Genus |
Ecionemia
Ecionemia
|