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| sponges text index | photo index |
| Phylum Porifera |
| Smooth
brown sponge Neopetrosia exigua* Family Petrosiidae updated Oct 2016 Where seen? This smooth brown sponge forms a ridged layer over coral rubble and is sometimes seen on our Southern shores. Features: Thin layer encrusting small areas 10-20cm sometimes larger. Often with irregular low 'walls', folds, knobs and lobes. In deeper water, it may have taller lobes or turrets (to 30cm). Texture smooth and velvety (not rubbery or glossy) because the surface has a layer of tiny needle-shaped spicules. Tiny holes at the top of folds and scattered elsewhere. Colours ochre to golden and orangey brown. May be confused with Blue icing sponges (Lendenfeldia cf. chondrodes) which look similar but are blue, green or lilac. Also similar to Smooth green sponge which is not as smooth has has a texture of tiny bumps. |
 Labrador, Jun 05 |
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 Terumbu Raya, May 10  |
 Terumbu Berkas, Jan 10  |
 Cyrene Reef, Mar 07  |
*Species are difficult to positively identify without close examination.
On this website, they are grouped by external features for convenience of display.
| Smooth brown sponges on Singapore shores |
| Photos of Smooth brown sponges for free download from wildsingapore flickr |
| Distribution in Singapore on this wildsingapore flickr map |
 Pulau Biola, May 10  |
 Terumbu Salu, Jan 10  |
 Pulau Senang, Jun 10  |
 Pulau Berkas, May 10  |
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Links
References
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