Chek Jawa

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Sponge (Phylum Porifera)

Sponges may grow as balls.

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Sponges (Phylum Porifera)

The same species of sponge can take on different shapes and colours in different locations.

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Sponges (Phylum Porifera)

This black branching sponge has some orange organism encrusting it.

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Sponges (Phylum Porifera)

Sponges can reproduce asexually. In the wild, bits may be broken off in the pounding waves or during storms. These settle elsewhere, growing into new sponges. This ability also helps sponges 'heal' any wounds.

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Sponges (Phylum Porifera)

Many creatures are immune to the sponge's toxins and eat them with impunity. Nudibranchs, starfish, sea urchins and cowries are their main predators.

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Sponges (Phylum Porifera)

This purple branching sponge is commonly seen on Chek Jawa.

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Neptune's Cup Sponge (Petrosia sp.)

Besides simple shapes, some sponges form into more elaborate shapes.

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Sponges (Phylum Porifera)

There are 5,000-10,000 sponge species, found from the intertidal zone to the deepest ocean trenches. They are among the oldest and simplest creatures, evolving 650 million years ago.

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Sponges (Phylum Porifera)

Sponges can grow very fast, some have been seen to double their weight in two days!

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Sponges (Phylum Porifera)

Sponges are an important source of new drugs. Acyclovir, derived from a Caribbean sponge, is used to treat herpes and encephalitis. Arabinosides, used in making antiviral medications, is made from the sponge Tethya crypta. Research is ongoing to study the effects of sponge products in preventing and treating of tumours.

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Sea Pen growing next to small carpet anemone and large clump of algae

Sea pens are more commonly seen at night.

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Common sea pen (Pteroides sp.)

This sea pen is commonly seen in the seagrass lagoon. Sea pens are colonial animals belonging to the same group as corals, sea anemones and jellyfish. The central stalk is one animal, while the 'feathery' portions are other animals. Their common name comes from their resemblence to feather quill pens used in the past.

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Flowery sea pen (Cavernularia sp.)

At night, some of the most beautiful sea pens reveal themselves. During the day, with their flower-like tentacles withdrawn, they look like pencils in the sand.

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Flowery sea pen (Cavenularia sp.)

Flowery sea pens come in various colours from white to pink to orange.

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Unknown sea pen

This unknown sea pen is not often seen. Possibly a Virgularia sp.

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Sea pen shelter

Sea pens provide shelter to all kinds of creatures. Some are very tiny (e.g., porcelain crabs), others may be larger, like the Leatherjacket fish that is hiding behind this sea pen.

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Flowery sea pen (Cavenularia sp.)

Another ethereal sea pen seen only at night.

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Two Sea Pens

Out of water, they withdraw their delicate flower-like tentacles and look like pencils!

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Flowery sea pen (Cavernularia sp.)

This one looks ready to close-up for the night.

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Flowery sea pen (Cavernularia sp.)

A closer look at the flower-like tentacles of a night "blooming" seapen.

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