Coral Killing Sponge

Naming

This species was originally described by De Laubenfels (1954, as Nara nematifera) in association with corals of the Western-Central Pacific Ocean (Great Barrier Reef, Marshall Islands, Micronesia). Information about the distribution and abundance of Chalinula nematifera is scanty.

Distribution

This sponge occurs throughout the tropical Indo-West Pacific and has also been reported from the tropical Eastern Pacific ocean where it is considered a recent introduction (probably by fouling), and a potential threat to the Pacific Mexican coral reefs, since it overgrows or outcompetes live corals.