Éponge Massive Stellaire

Overview

Rhabdastrella globostellata, often referred to as the yellow pot sponge, is a massive marine sponge belonging to the family Ancorinidae. It is widely distributed across the tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, where it thrives in diverse marine environments.

Appearance

This sponge is typically characterized by a firm, spherical or hemispherical shape, though its exact form can vary based on environmental conditions and the substrate to which it is attached. The exterior, or ectosome, is generally brown to beige, while the internal tissue, or choanosome, is distinctively bright yellow or orange. The surface is often textured with bumps or ridges and features one or more shallow, concave depressions on the top. These apical depressions contain clusters of small, visible pores known as oscules, which are used for water filtration.

Distribution & habitat

This species is found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, ranging from the coasts of East Africa and Madagascar to India, Southeast Asia, and across to the islands of the South Pacific, including Fiji and Vanuatu. It inhabits a variety of hard substrates, including rocky reefs, dead coral, and other stable surfaces, from the intertidal zone down to depths of at least 50 meters.

Biology & behavior

As a sessile filter feeder, R. globostellata draws water through its body to extract oxygen and nutrients. It is known for producing specialized triterpenoid compounds called isomalabaricanes, which have been the subject of scientific research for their potential cytotoxic and medicinal properties.