| brain sponge | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Porifera |
| Class: | Demospongiae |
| Order: | Poecilosclerida |
| Suborder: | Mycalina |
| Family: | Isodictyidae |
| Genus: | Isodictya |
| Species: | I. elastica |
| Binomial name | |
| Isodictya elastica (Vosmaer, 1880) |
|
The brain sponge, Isodictya elastica is a species of marine demosponge in the family Isodictyidae[1]. This sponge is known from the west coast of South Africa to Port Elizabeth. It is endemic to this region[2].
The brain sponge may grow to 20 cm across. It has a smooth surface, covered with many scattered oscula. It may be beige to pink in colour and grows in two forms: one massive and convoluted, rather like a brain, and the other with narrowing fingers. Its texture is soft and compressible[2].
This sponge lives on rocky reefs subtidally to 25m.