General Description
A pale yellow, orange to brown sponge species, lobate to flabelliform (fan-shaped). Size of about 50 cm.
Biology
Sponges in this genus group often incorporate large amounts of sand and broken spicule fragments (tiny needle-like structures) into their skeletons, which have been drawn in with the incurrent of seawater.
Distribution
New Zealand and Victoria.
Habitat
Reef and jetty areas, at depths of 1-100 m.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
Pale yellow, orange or brown sponge of lobed or fan shape.
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Maximum Size
50 cm
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Habitats
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Diet
Plankton or particles
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Endemicity
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Commercial
No
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Conservation Statuses
DSE Advisory List: Not listed, EPBC Act 1999: Not listed, IUCN Red List: Not listed
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Depths
Shallow (1-30 m), Deep ( > 30 m)
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Water Column Locations
On or near seafloor
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Taxon Name
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Scientific Author
(Bowerbank, 1841)
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Common Name
Sponge
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Phylum
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Class
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Order
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Family
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Genus
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Species Name
kirki
