Verongula rigida
(Esper, 1794)

Description:
Massive lobate with numerous pits and ridges over the surface. The lobes or tubes, bear a conspicuous apical oscule in a depression with perforated diaphragms. Specimens may be up to 20 cm in diameter and 15 cm high. Individual tubes are up to 8 cm in height and 4 cm in diameter; oscules up to 2 cm in diameter. The surface bears meandering grooves of up to 15 mm in width and up to 20 mm in depth. Lamellar ridges are smooth or conulose, mostly less than 1 mm in width, occasionally up to 3 mm. The consistency is cheese-like and slightly compressible.

Color:
Yellow, yellowish-green, green, brown to tan.

Habitat:
This species inhabits reefs and lagoons.

Distribution:
Florida, Bahamas, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Porifera
Genus Verongula
Species Verongula rigida

Status in World Register of Marine Species

Accepted name: Verongula rigida (Esper, 1794)

Sorry, there are no scientific synonyms and common names available for this species

Humann, P., 1992. Reef Creature Identification - Florida Caribbean Bahamas, (ed. N. Deloach). New World Publications, Inc., Paramount Miller Graphics, Inc., Jacksonville, Florida.

Soest, R.W.M. van, 1978. Marine sponges from Curaçao and other Caribbean islands. Part I. Keratosa. Studies on the fauna of Curaçao and other Caribbean islands, 179.

Sorry, there are no other images or audio/video clips available for this species.

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