Oceanapia sagittaria, A Ball Sponge
Awesome , I found this cute object while snorkeling in several small islands at Kepulauan Seribu, Jakata . I wonder what exactly this object because of its unique and striking colors among the seagrass and macro algae bad in sand substrate . I'm trying to figure out its classification in several books and website , it includes sponge genera that symbiotic and grow in seagrass or corals ecosystem . Sometimes grow on coral rubble . Oceanapia sagittaria grow in seagrass and macroalgae bed Together with other sponge species Oceanapia sagittaria , a beautiful sponge species with a distinct, a deep maroon to bright pink color, translucent structure on the top of their stalk (5-10 cm in height). The main body is buried in soft sediment. Small delicate prickly ball about 1-2 cm in diameter, on a short conical stem (called the capitate structure). The ball has fine sheets between the prickles. The capitate structure is where the w...