naturalistic composition Taxidermy full body mount - Spugna xestospongia muta + coralli assortiti - 29 cm - 15 cm - 16 cm - 1

Xestospongia muta is commonly known by the name of the giant barrel sponge. It is the largest sponge species present in the coral reefs of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Belonging to the phylum Porifera, this remarkable marine invertebrate has earned, due to its extraordinary size and incredible 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 assumes the typical barrel shape or an inverted bell and is equipped with a wide upper opening called the osculum. Its coloration ranges from reddish-brown to pink, up to gray-brown. It feels decidedly hard and stony to the touch. Its growth is extremely slow, therefore its life expectancy ranges from hundreds of years up to well 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 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 nourishment and determine its diverse and singular colorations. Protagonist of this aesthetically interesting lot is a sponge inside which important fragments of coral have been placed. The result is an object of considerable aesthetic impact, capable of furnishing any space with style. A composition not only for lovers of marine objects but also for those who are continually seeking new furniture elements. Among marine beings rich in suggestion, a true symbol of the enchanting and mysterious marine world: Xestospongia muta with fragments of coral. Pedestal not included. A necessary clarification. The final image of our photo gallery is obtained with the help of AI software. The aim is purely aesthetic but also illustrative: it shows the real object within an artificially generated scenography. The objective is to show how precious the auctioned items are and how well they look in different, all exceedingly refined environments. Thank you for your attention.