A guide to the deep-water sponges of - NMFS Scientific Publications ...

37. Suberites simplex Lambe, 1893
Description. This small sponge has a subglobular to
globular growth form. Surface is smooth to the unaided
eye but microscopically hispid. Consistency is firm but
elastic. Diameter is at least 5 cm. Color in life is golden
brown to brown.
Skeletal structure. Ectosomal skeleton consists of bouquets
of small tylostyles at the surface. Densely packed
larger tylostyles in the interior are arranged without
orientation. Tylostyles are large (620–1170 × 10–20 µm)
and small (120–230 × 3–5 µm).
Zoogeographic distribution. Uncommon in the
North Pacific Ocean. In Alaska – central Aleutian Islands.
Elsewhere – Vancouver Island.
Habitat. In Alaska – attached to pebbles at depths between
150 and 160 m. Elsewhere – reported at a depth
of 73 m.
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Photo. 1) Specimen collected at a depth of 155 m in
the central Aleutian Islands. Grid marks are 1 cm 2 .