Verconia decussata (Risbec, 1928)
18mm

Verconia decussata was relatively common at Enewetak Atoll and is occasionally found at Kwajalein. Just how common is hard to tell, because for some time I was mistakenly considering these to be the same as another species, Verconia simplex. Finally I started noticing that specimens with a certain pattern of color were always on this yellow sponge, while the other consistent pattern was always on a pink sponge. A closer look at the patterns and anatomy revealed them to be different species. The easiest way to distinguish V. decussata from V. simplex is that in the former, most of the rhinophore is red and the gill has red edging on the inner surfaces of the branches while just the tips of both are red in the latter. Twenty-four specimens measured after I finally got them straightened out ranged from 6 to 18mm in length, and they were nearly always under dead coral and aluminum storm debris on lagoon interisland reefs at depths of 3 to 5 meters. Verconia decussata was first reported in the Marshalls from Enewetak and Kwajalein Atolls as Thorunna decussata by Johnson & Boucher (1984).

Burrowing through its prey sponge.

Three individuals clustered on a tiny patch of yellow sponge. They'll soon have to find some more food.

This species usually shows a midlateral bulge in the body. That's this specimen's egg mass over to the right.

Created 18 December 2005
Updated 3 February 2016

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