Dutchman's Pipe Sponge [Halisarca dujardini]
Description
Halisarca dujardini, commonly known as the Dutchman's Pipe Sponge, is a species of demosponge. It is found in the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea. It has a long, thin, hollow stalk which is attached to a solid base. The outside of the sponge is covered with a layer of fine siliceous spicules, giving it a velvety appearance. The sponge is able to filter large quantities of water to extract tiny particles of food.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Sponges
Porifera
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Demospongiae
Demospongiae
|
| Order |
Axinellida
Axinellida
|
| Family |
Halisarcidae
Halisarcidae
|
| Genus |
Halisarca
Halisarca
|