Tethya aurantium

Tethya aurantium, also known as the golf ball sponge or orange puffball sponge, is a species of sea sponge belonging to the family Tethyidae.[1] It is spherical in shape, with a warty surface, and grows to about 10 cm in diameter. Oscula are present on the upper surface. The surface has sharp protruding spicules which can cause skin irritation if touched.[2]

Tethya aurantium
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Porifera
Class: Demospongiae
Order: Tethyida
Family: Tethyidae
Genus: Tethya
Species:
T. aurantium
Binomial name
Tethya aurantium
(Pallas, 1766)
Synonyms
List
  • Alcyonium aurantium Pallas, 1766
  • Alcyonium lyncurium Linnaeus, 1767
  • Amniscos morum (Schmidt, 1862)
  • Donatia lyncurium (Linnaeus, 1767)
  • Spongia verrucosa sensu Montagu, 1814
  • Tethea lyncurium (Linnaeus, 1767)
  • Tethya aurantia (Pallas, 1766) [lapsus]
  • Tethya limski Müller & Zahn, 1968
  • Tethya lyncurium (Linnaeus, 1767)
  • Tethya morum Schmidt, 1862
  • Tethyum lyncurium (Linnaeus, 1767)

It is found from southern Namibia round the southern African coast to KwaZulu-Natal, usually on shallow reefs.[2]

References
  1. http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=134311 accessed 14 November 2010
  2. Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. and Beckley, L.E. 2010. Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa ISBN 978-1-77007-772-0


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