Stylissa massa (Carter, 1887)

Fig. 16

Diagnostic features.

Massive, soft, and friable with rough surface and medium-sized oscula appear on top of the ridge. Yellow-orange in life and brown in alcohol. Spicules arrangements are of styles and strongyles.

Distribution and ecology.

Stylissa massa is widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific (Erpenbeck et al. 2017). Since Stylissa massa is known to be widespread, and recent studies using molecular techniques show the probability of distinct cryptic lineages of this species in the Indo-Pacific (Erpenbeck et al. 2017). Our specimen was collected from the Spermonde Archipelago, south-west of Samalona Island; reef flat, attached to rubble and dead coral skeletons.