Polymastia fusca

Taxobox
name = "Polymastia fusca"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Porifera
classis = Demospongiae
ordo = Hadromerida
familia = Polymastiidae
genus = "Polymastia"
species = "P. fusca"
binomial = "Polymastia fusca"
binomial_authority = Bergquist, 1961

"Polymastia fusca" is a species of demosponge belonging to the family Polymastiidae. It is found in shallow subtidal habitats in the far north of North Island, New Zealand.

This firm-textured sponge grows up to 20 cm across, often encrusting its substrate. The outer layer is very dark brown, contrasting with a much paler yellow or orange interior. The whole surface is covered in papillae, those at the centre markedly taller than those at the periphery.

References

*cite journal |quotes=no |url=http://www.rsnz.org/publish/nzjmfr/1997/32.pdf |title= Revision of Southwest Pacific Polymastiidae (Porifera: Demospongiae: Hadromerida) with descriptions of new species of "Polymastia" Bowerbank, "Tylexocladus" Topsent, and "Acanthopolymastia" gen. nov. from New Zealand and the Norfolk Ridge, New Caledonia |journal=New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research |volume=31 |year=1997 |author=Michelle Kelly-Borges & Patricia R. Bergquist |pages=367–402