Ircinia irregularis

Ircinia irregularis is a species of sponge belonging to the family Irciniidae. This sponge is sessile, meaning it remains fixed in one place, typically attaching itself to substrates in its habitat. It is found in the tropical waters of the Western Central Pacific, specifically around Indonesia and New Caledonia. Divers can encounter this species at depths ranging from 0 to 100 meters, although most observations occur at shallower depths, with 41% recorded above 40 meters. As a member of the class Demospongiae, Ircinia irregularis is hermaphroditic. Its life cycle begins with the zygote developing into a free-swimming parenchymella larva. This larva eventually settles on a suitable substrate, where it grows into a young sponge. The species has not been evaluated for its conservation status by the IUCN, CITES, or CMS, and it poses no known threat to humans. Divers encountering Ircinia irregularis can expect to find it in a variety of reef environments. Observing this species can provide insight into the diverse and complex ecosystems of tropical coral reefs.