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Erylus alleni is a rather rare sponge species and is found in the Western Atlantic in coralline algae reefs and on algal nodules.
A dark brown color is noticeable from the outside, with a light brown interior.
The small sponge has a very smooth surface.
At the tips of each of the heart-shaped stems/branches are one or two oscules, ~ 1-5 mm wide, continued by a 1-2 cm deep vestibule.
The pedunculate growth habit and certain details of the spines (elliptical aspidaster, two categories of oxyasters) allow the distinction from similar species such as Erylus goffrilleri and Erylus trisphaerus, which occur together.
Naming: The species was named after Dr. E. J. Allen, Director of the Marine Biological Association of Great Britain, in Plymouth, England.
A dark brown color is noticeable from the outside, with a light brown interior.
The small sponge has a very smooth surface.
At the tips of each of the heart-shaped stems/branches are one or two oscules, ~ 1-5 mm wide, continued by a 1-2 cm deep vestibule.
The pedunculate growth habit and certain details of the spines (elliptical aspidaster, two categories of oxyasters) allow the distinction from similar species such as Erylus goffrilleri and Erylus trisphaerus, which occur together.
Naming: The species was named after Dr. E. J. Allen, Director of the Marine Biological Association of Great Britain, in Plymouth, England.
