''Agelas conifera'', also known as the brown tube sponge, is a species of

sponge Sponges or sea sponges are primarily marine invertebrates of the animal phylum Porifera (; meaning 'pore bearer'), a basal clade and a sister taxon of the diploblasts. They are sessile filter feeders that are bound to the seabed, and a ...

. Its color is brown, tan, or greyish brown with a lighter interior. It is common in the Caribbean and Bahamas, and occasional in Florida. ''Agelas conifera'' contains bromopyrrole alkaloids, notably

sceptrin Sceptrin is a bioactive marine isolate. It has been isolated from the marine sponge '' Agelas conifera'' and appears to have affinity for the bacterial actin equivalent MreB. As such, this compound possess antibiotic potential. See also * Agelif ...

and oroidin, and levels of these feeding-deterrents increase upon predation. ''Agelas conifera'' exhibit a wound response, increasing the production and release of bromopyrrole alkaloids, which appear to also protect against harmful microorganisms. Richelle-Maurer, E., De Kluijver, M. J., Feio, S., Gaudêncio, S., Gaspar, H., Gomez, R., Tavares, R., Van de Vyver, G., & Van Soest, R. W. M. (2003). Localization and ecological significance of Oroidin and Sceptrin in the caribbean sponge agelas conifera. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, 31(10), 1073–1091. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0305-1978(03)00072-3

Related species

Agelas clathrodes ''Agelas clathrodes'', also known as the orange elephant ear sponge, is a species of sea sponge. It lives on reefs in the Caribbean, usually more than below the surface of the ocean. It takes various forms, and its color is reddish orange. Desc ...

References

Agelasida Sponges of Brazil Sponges described in 1870 {{Demosponge-stub