Sylvain Le Bris, Frankreich
Info
The body of Sarcotragus fasciculatus has a hard, leathery consistency, and its color varies between yellowish, chestnut brown, brownish, or purple, depending on the specimen.
Its growth form is massive, irregular, and can reach up to 12 × 15 cm in diameter.
The surface of this sea sponge is regularly conical (1 mm high, 1–2 mm apart). The internal skeleton network is light brown, fragile, net-like with more or less square meshes from the sponge base to the surface.
Question:
What does Sarcotragus fasciculatus have to do with the invasive seaweed Caulerpa cylidracea?
> Among the Porifera, only the sponge species Sarcotragus fasciculatus is known to consume the invasive seaweed Caulerpa cylidracea.
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/11/2115
Question:
Why is Sarcotragus fasciculatus colloquially referred to as stink sponge?
> Sarcotragus fasciculatus is colloquially referred to as stink sponge because it can emit an unpleasant odor when crushed or damaged.
This odor is often strong and foul, which is why the sponge has earned its “stinker” name.
The smell is caused by chemical compounds contained within the sponge, such as sulfur compounds or other decomposition products that are released when the tissue is destroyed.
There are many sponges that have similar properties, but the stinker sponge is particularly well known for this unpleasant scent. This species often lives in coral reefs and is an example of the diversity and chemical defense mechanisms that some marine creatures develop to protect themselves from predators.
Synonyms:
Hircinia (Sarcotragus) fasciculata (Pallas, 1766) · unaccepted (genus transfer)
Hircinia fasciculata (Pallas, 1766) · unaccepted (genus transfer)
Ircinia fasciculata (Pallas, 1766) · unaccepted (genus transfer)
Spongia fasciculata sensu Esper, 1794 · unaccepted (genus transfer)
Spongia fasciculata Pallas, 1766 · unaccepted (genus transfer)
epted ( genus transfer)
Its growth form is massive, irregular, and can reach up to 12 × 15 cm in diameter.
The surface of this sea sponge is regularly conical (1 mm high, 1–2 mm apart). The internal skeleton network is light brown, fragile, net-like with more or less square meshes from the sponge base to the surface.
Question:
What does Sarcotragus fasciculatus have to do with the invasive seaweed Caulerpa cylidracea?
> Among the Porifera, only the sponge species Sarcotragus fasciculatus is known to consume the invasive seaweed Caulerpa cylidracea.
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/11/2115
Question:
Why is Sarcotragus fasciculatus colloquially referred to as stink sponge?
> Sarcotragus fasciculatus is colloquially referred to as stink sponge because it can emit an unpleasant odor when crushed or damaged.
This odor is often strong and foul, which is why the sponge has earned its “stinker” name.
The smell is caused by chemical compounds contained within the sponge, such as sulfur compounds or other decomposition products that are released when the tissue is destroyed.
There are many sponges that have similar properties, but the stinker sponge is particularly well known for this unpleasant scent. This species often lives in coral reefs and is an example of the diversity and chemical defense mechanisms that some marine creatures develop to protect themselves from predators.
Synonyms:
Hircinia (Sarcotragus) fasciculata (Pallas, 1766) · unaccepted (genus transfer)
Hircinia fasciculata (Pallas, 1766) · unaccepted (genus transfer)
Ircinia fasciculata (Pallas, 1766) · unaccepted (genus transfer)
Spongia fasciculata sensu Esper, 1794 · unaccepted (genus transfer)
Spongia fasciculata Pallas, 1766 · unaccepted (genus transfer)
epted ( genus transfer)
