Brain sponge

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]

Brain sponge
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Porifera
Class:	Demospongiae
Order:	Poecilosclerida
Family:	Isodictyidae
Genus:	Isodictya
Species:	I. elastica
Binomial name
Isodictya elastica (Vosmaer, 1880)
Synonyms
Desmacidon elastica Vosmaer, 1880 Homoeodictya elastica (Vosmaer, 1880)

Description

The brain sponge may grow to 20 centimetres (7.9 in) 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][3]

Habitat

This sponge lives on rocky reefs subtidally to 25 metres (82 ft).