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Family: Plakinidae
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Bocas Species Database Habitat: Rare, found on mangrove roots, peat banks, and open reef environments (0.5-50 m deep). Distribution: Caribbean wide. Natural History Notes: This sponge has been studied for its biochemical properties but little is reported about its ecology. Depth: Less than 50m Characteristics: Thick encrusting (1-5 cm thick). Brown to greenish-gray, or yellowish externally, lighter brown to tan internally. Smooth surface, but it may have papillae or slits. Oscules (< 1 cm wide), with a collar-membrane. Dense (like cheese) and compressible. Notes: Close species are P. halichondroides (Wilson, 1902) a dark-chocolate species, with a dark exhudate, and P. zygompha (De Laubenfels, 1934) a thin species (3-6 mm in thickness). |