Radiospongilla sceptroides
Encyclopedia
Radiospongilla sceptroides is a species
of freshwater sponge in the family Spongillidae
. It was described as Spongilla sceptroides by Scottish-born Australian zoologist William A. Haswell
in 1883, who discovered it growing on submerged wood in a pond in the vicinity of Brisbane. He described it as "Sponge green, encrusting, smooth, moderately elastic, not crumbling." He noted the spicules were fusiform and pointed. It was found growing next to a yellowish freshwater sponge that he described as Spongilla botryoides. A 1968 review of freshwater sponges failed to locate Haswell's original type specimen, so a new one was selected from the Merrika River near Womboyn in New South Wales.
Material from New Zealand was described as Spongilla rotoitiensis, but later regarded as R. sceptroides. Yet more material originally classified as this species has been shown to be a different species, R. philippinensis.
A bright emerald green in colour and firm and rubbery in consistency, the sponge can spread laterally to some size, the new type specimen measured 46×20 cm (19×8 in), growing on a flat rock.
Radiospongilla sceptroides is widely distributed (although fragmented) along Australia's eastern coastline, from central Queensland through New South Wales and into Victoria, as well as New Zealand and New Caledonia. It has never been recorded west of the Great Dividing Range
. Fossil material has also been recorded from Victoria. The population of Thirlmere Lakes National Park
is highly unusual in that the sponges there do not produce gemmule
s, which suggests that the environment in the lakes is very stable. This has not been recorded elsewhere in Australia.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of freshwater sponge in the family Spongillidae
Spongillidae
The Spongillidae are a family of sponges that live in fresh water lakes. There are 23 genera....
. It was described as Spongilla sceptroides by Scottish-born Australian zoologist William A. Haswell
William Aitcheson Haswell
William Aitcheson Haswell was a Scottish-born Australian zoologist specialising in crustaceans, winner of the 1915 Clarke Medal.-Early life:...
in 1883, who discovered it growing on submerged wood in a pond in the vicinity of Brisbane. He described it as "Sponge green, encrusting, smooth, moderately elastic, not crumbling." He noted the spicules were fusiform and pointed. It was found growing next to a yellowish freshwater sponge that he described as Spongilla botryoides. A 1968 review of freshwater sponges failed to locate Haswell's original type specimen, so a new one was selected from the Merrika River near Womboyn in New South Wales.
Material from New Zealand was described as Spongilla rotoitiensis, but later regarded as R. sceptroides. Yet more material originally classified as this species has been shown to be a different species, R. philippinensis.
A bright emerald green in colour and firm and rubbery in consistency, the sponge can spread laterally to some size, the new type specimen measured 46×20 cm (19×8 in), growing on a flat rock.
Radiospongilla sceptroides is widely distributed (although fragmented) along Australia's eastern coastline, from central Queensland through New South Wales and into Victoria, as well as New Zealand and New Caledonia. It has never been recorded west of the Great Dividing Range
Great Dividing Range
The Great Dividing Range, or the Eastern Highlands, is Australia's most substantial mountain range and the third longest in the world. The range stretches more than 3,500 km from Dauan Island off the northeastern tip of Queensland, running the entire length of the eastern coastline through...
. Fossil material has also been recorded from Victoria. The population of Thirlmere Lakes National Park
Thirlmere Lakes National Park
Thirlmere Lakes is a national park in New South Wales , 70 km southwest of Sydney, and lying just to the west of Thirlmere, New South Wales. It is part of the Greater Blue Mountains Area World Heritage Site...
is highly unusual in that the sponges there do not produce gemmule
Gemmule
Gemmules are internal buds found in sponges that are the result of asexual reproduction, and are a response to a hostile environment.They are resistant to desiccation , freezing, and anoxia and can lie around for long periods of time. These are similar to a bacterium's endospore...
s, which suggests that the environment in the lakes is very stable. This has not been recorded elsewhere in Australia.