Zoology Web Quest

Porifera

        Dendrilla rosea - Rosea Sponge

Habitat: Moderately exposed reef, 3 - 22 m depth

Distribution: SA to NSW and around Tasmania

Maximum Size: Length to 400 mm

Diet: Plankton (filter feeder) 

Bright pink sponge with deeply ruffled surface. Can be erect or encrusting.

Habitat: Reef, sand, muddy bottom; 2 - 15 m depth

Maximum size: Up to approximately 300 mm diameter

Diet: Plankton (filter feeder)

This species lacks spicules and only has spongin for support. It occurs commonly on deeper reefs in areas of high current flow. The irregular green colour of the sponge may be caused by green symbiotic algae growing on the surface. 

Pumpkin Sponge

       Siphonochalina species N/A - Finger Sponge

Habitat: Exposed reef, 20 - 35 m depth

Distribution: Eastern Tasmania

Maximum size: Length to 150 mm

Diet: Plankton (filter feeder)

This species has long tubular extensions (fingers). Common on deep Tasmanian reefs.

Cnidaria


Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Cnidaria
Class Hydrozoa
Order Hydroida  
Gymnangium superbum, Gymnangium ascidioides, Plumularia procumbens

Habitat: Moderately exposed reef, 5 - 15 m

Distribution: SA to Victoria and around Tasmania

Maximum Size: Colony height 60 - 300 mm

Diet: Plankton (Filter feeders)

Plumularia procumbens

Gymangium superbum

          Corynactis australis (Jewel Anemone)

Habitat: Exposed reef, 2 - 30 m depth

Distribution: Victoria to NSW and around Tasmania.

Maximum Size: Diameter to 15 mm

Diet: Drifting food particles

This species lives in shaded spots on exposed coasts. They are also common in the entrances to sea caves. The colony of polyps is joined to a common sheet-like base, and several colonies often join each other. The colours of colonies may vary from pink, purple, orange and brown. All polyps possess a characteristic knob on the end of each tentacle.

 Platyhelminthes 



Notoplana australis  - Brown Flatworm 

Habitat: Sheltered and moderately exposed shores, low intertidal

Distribution: SA to NSW and around Tasmania

Maximum size: Length to 40 mm

Diet: Sessile invertebrates, bryozoans

Pseudoceros dimidiatus



Genus: Pseudoceros 
Species: Dimidiatus
Family: Pseudocerotidae
Order: Polycladia 
 Date Identified: 1893 and found in Hawaii


Pseudoceros bajae



Genus: Pseudoceros 
Species: Bajae
Family: Pseudocerotidae
Order: Polycladia 
 Date Identified:1953 and found in Bajan, Mexico