Endectyon hispitumulus

Endectyon hispitumulus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Porifera
Class: Demospongiae
Order: Axinellida
Family: Raspailiidae
Genus: Endectyon
Species:
E. hispitumulus
Binomial name
Endectyon hispitumulus
Turner & Pankey, 2023

Endectyon hispitumulus, also known as bristly mound fields, is a species of marine sponge in the family Raspailiidae. It is found in the intertidal and subtidal zones of the eastern Pacific Ocean.[1][2]

Description

Endectyon hispitumulus is a thinly encrusting sponge that is an orange-red color when it is alive. It has a distinctive morphology, evoking a field of hills or mounds. The mounds are hairy and have a smooth membrane between them.[2]

Distribution

Endectyon hispitumulus can be found as far north as Santa Cruz, California, and as far south as Loreto, Baja California Sur.[1] The holotype was recorded at Coal Oil Point in Santa Barbara, California. The sponge is common in shady intertidal crevices, but also grows in the open, partially buried in sand.[2]

Ecology

Like other sponges, bristly mound fields are filter feeders.[1]

Etymology

The specific epithet derives from the Latin hispidus (bristled) and tumulus (mound).[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Endectyon (Endectyon) hispitumulus Turner & Pankey, 2023". WoRMS. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d Turner, Thomas L; Pankey, M Sabrina (2022). "The order Axinellida (Porifera: Demospongiae) in California" (PDF). Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory – via bioRxiv.