the tube sponge Callyspongia vaginalis

Brooding Larvae

brooding cv

Callyspongia vaginalis is unique compared to most species of sponge on Caribbean reefs, in that it broods larvae within distinct chambers of the walls of the tube, and release the larvae as they develop throughout the year.

Larvae are expelled form the brood chambers (shown on the right) into the excurrent flow of the sponge and out the main osculae of the sponge.

Larvae are released during the day and have been found to be chemically defended against fish predators (Lindquist and Hay 1996).

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