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Family: Petrosiidae
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Bocas Species Database Habitat: This species grows in small patches on mangrove roots, empty shells, or coral rubble, and occasionally profusely overgrowing live corals. It was also found on shallow reefs, growing over coral or other surfaces such as bare rocks. Natural History Notes: This sponge species was named after the region of Bocas del Toro, Panama, where the species was first encountered. Characteristics: Shape and size: Thinly encrusting species (2-5 mm thick), in patches from five to a few hundred cm2 . Surface: Smooth. Oscules (1-2 mm diameter) on top of low volcano-shaped mounds (1-2 mm of height). Consistency: Crumbly and brittle. Colour: In life, dark purple, inside and out. Ectosomal skeleton: No organization, spicules strewn tangentially. Choanosomal skeleton: Isotropic unispicular to paucispicular reticulation forming polygonal meshes (100-320 μm in diameter), and paucispicular primaries (2-3 spicules across) 200-300 μm apart. Filamentous cyanobacteria densely packed around the skeleton. |