wonderful and rare barrel sponge Taxidermy full body...

Xestospongia muta is commonly known by the name giant barrel sponge. It is the largest sponge species found in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico coral reefs. Belonging to the phylum Porifera, this singular marine invertebrate has earned, thanks to its extraordinary size and remarkable longevity, the nickname 'Sequoia of the Coral Reef'. It can reach a diameter of 1.8 meters and a height of up to 2.4 meters. Its structure is typically cylindrical. It takes the typical shape of a barrel or inverted bell and has a wide upper opening called the osculum. Its coloration ranges from reddish-brown to pink, and to gray-brown. To the touch it feels decidedly hard and stony. Its growth is extremely slow, therefore its lifespans range from several hundreds of years to over 2,000 years. Xestospongia muta lives exclusively in the tropical waters of the western Atlantic, developing between 10 and 120 meters in depth, colonizing the hard bottoms of coral reefs. This sponge plays a leading role within the entire marine ecosystem by constantly pumping and filtering enormous volumes of water and trapping bacteria and organic carbon. Its internal cavity is the environment in which numerous species of fish, shrimp, and other invertebrates live. It also hosts communities of photosynthetic cyanobacteria that contribute to its nutrition and determine its various and distinctive colorations. A centerpiece of this lot, one of the most evocative marine beings, a true symbol of the enchanting and mysterious underwater world. Xestospongia muta: an absolute must-win bid. Base not included

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