Clathrina clara (Calcarea: Clathrinida: Clathrinidae) as foulers on onshore farmed oysters (Pinctada fucata)

Abstract

A calcareous sponge species was observed as a fouler in the onshore oyster culture tanks at Visakhapatnam Regional Centre of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). The sponge was collected and preserved for further studies. The material was deposited in the CMFRI museum. The species was identified as Clathrina clara (family Clathrinidae, order Clathrinida, subclass Calcinea, class Calcarea). The species is being recorded for the first time from Indian waters.