Amphimedon viridis

Amphimedon viridis is a sponge belonging to the family Niphytidae, often found in tropical regions of the Indo-Pacific and Western Central Atlantic. This sponge can be identified by its massive to repent branching structure, with branches ranging from 1 to 3 cm in diameter. It has a distinctive light green coloration both externally and internally, and its texture is soft and compressible. The sponge features volcano-shaped oscules that measure between 0.2 to 0.5 cm in diameter. This species inhabits shallow marine environments, typically found on reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves. It thrives in depths ranging from 1 to 14 meters, although most occurrences are shallower than 10 meters. Amphimedon viridis is sessile, meaning it remains fixed in one place, and it is a member of the class Demospongiae, which are hermaphroditic. The life cycle involves the development of a free-swimming parenchymella larva that eventually settles on a substrate to grow into a mature sponge. Divers encountering Amphimedon viridis will find it harmless, adding a touch of green to the underwater landscape. Its conservation status has not been evaluated by the IUCN, and there are no known threats to humans or specific human uses associated with this sponge.