Barrel Sponge
Xestospongia muta
The Caribbean barrel sponge, Xestospongia muta, is a large and common member of the coral reef communities at depths greater than 10 meters and has been called the “redwood of the deep.”
Despite its prominence, high biomass, and importance to habitat complexity and reef health, very little is know about the basic biology of this massive sponge, including rates of mortality and recruitment, reproduction, growth, and age. Like reef corals, this sponge is subject to bleaching and subsequent mortality.
Taxonomy from ITIS
Related Topics
The Caribbean barrel sponge, Xestospongia muta, is a large and common member of the coral reef communities at depths greater than 10 meters and has been called the “redwood of the deep.”
Despite its prominence, high biomass, and importance to habitat complexity and reef health, very little is know about the basic biology of this massive sponge, including rates of mortality and recruitment, reproduction, growth, and age. Like reef corals, this sponge is subject to bleaching and subsequent mortality.
Taxonomy from ITIS
Common Name:
Barrel Sponge
Classification
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Species:
muta
