Suberites dandelenae
{{Short description|Species of sponge from southern Africa}}
{{Speciesbox
| genus = Suberites
| species = dandelenae
| authority = Samaai & Maduray, 2017
}}
Suberites dandelenae, the amorphous solid sponge, is a species of deep-sea demosponge from South Africa and Namibia.
Description
This sponge is made up of rounded lobes. Each lobe has a distinct oscule on the top surface. Individual specimens can grow up to {{Convert|40|cm|in|abbr=on}} in length.{{Cite journal|last1=Samaai|first1=Toufiek|last2=Maduray|first2=Seshnee|last3=Janson|first3=Liesl|last4=Gibbons|first4=Mark J|last5=Ngwakum|first5=Benedicta|last6=Teske|first6=Peter R|date=2017|title=A new species of habitat–forming Suberites (Porifera, Demospongiae, Suberitida) in the Benguela upwelling region (South Africa)|url=http://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.4254.1.3|journal=Zootaxa|volume=4254|issue=1|pages=49–81|doi=10.11646/zootaxa.4254.1.3|pmid=28609981 |issn=1175-5334|url-access=subscription}} It is yellow in colour and has a velvety surface. It breaks easily.
= Spicules =
Several morphologically similar species occur, but they differ at the spicule level. The following spicules are present in this species:
- Three distinct size classes of tylostyles (spicule with a point at one end and a knob at the other).
- Centrotylostongyles/oxeas (needle-shaped spicules with a sharp point at either end).
- Tylostrongyles (spicules that have a swollen end).
- Microacanthostrongyle (small spine covered spicules that have a rounded end).
Distribution and habitat
Ecology
This species grows in dense colonies.{{Cite book|last1=Atkinson|first1=Lara J|url=http://www.saeon.ac.za/Field%20Guide%20to%20SA%20Offshore%20Marine%20Invertebrates_web%20full%20version.pdf|title=Field guide to the offshore marine invertebrates of South Africa|last2=Sink|first2=Kerry J|date=2018|publisher=South African Environmental Observation Network|isbn=978-1-86868-098-6|location=Pretoria|oclc=1037159161}} As much as 18 tons per square kilometer (6.95 tons per square mile) can be collected in a single demersal trawl off some areas of the South African coast. It is considered to be a potential indicator of a vulnerable marine ecosystem.
References
{{Reflist}}
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Category:Animals described in 2017