Vase sponge
Ircinia campana
(Lamarck, 1816)

Description:
Cup-shaped sponges, although asymmetrical specimens with a lower and a higher cup-wall are common. Sponge up to 50 cm high and 40 cm in diameter. Thickness of the cup wall is 0.5-3 cm and the consistency is fleshy but tough. Surface strongly conulose. The conules are about 4 mm high and mostly 5-6 mm apart (I. campana-close up). Conules on the inside of the cup distinctly lower and closer together than those on the outside. Oscules only on the inside; 4-10 mm in diameter.

Color:
Reddish brown.

Habitat:
Inhabit shallow to mid-range reefs. Prefer brightly lit areas.

Distribution:
From Florida to Brazil.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Porifera
Genus Ircinia
Species Ircinia campana

Status in World Register of Marine Species

Accepted name: Ircinia campana (Lamarck, 1814)

Scientific synonyms and common names

Vase sponge [English]

Soest, R.W.M. van, 1978. Marine sponges from Curaçao and other Caribbean islands. Part I. Keratosa. Studies on the fauna of Curaçao and other Caribbean islands, 179.

Voss, G.L., 1976. Seashore life of Florida and the Carribbean. Banyan Books, Inc. Miami, Florida.

You can continue searching for Ircinia campana on one of these Web sites:

Fauna Europaea (animals) | IOPI (plants) | NCBI (genetic)

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