PORIFERA : Poecilosclerida : MycalidaeSPONGES

Mycale subclavata (Bowerbank, 1866)


 image: mycsim
Mycale subclavata

Description: This sponge is irregular in shape, starting as a moderately thick crust and developing into irregular cushions. It is typically a distinctive shade of orange. The consistency is soft but not easily torn.

Habitat: Found mostly in sheltered, silty sites with slight to moderate currents.

Similar Species: Mycale rotalis is another species of Mycale which can be similar in growth form but is a distinctive scarlet red in colour.

Key Identification Features:

  • Irregular patches becoming thicker in older individuals.
  • Osculae at the top of lobes
  • Distinctive shade of watery orange in colour

Distribution Map from NBN: Mycale subclavata at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Mycale subclavata at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Mycale subclavata at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Mycale (Carmia) subclavata (Bowerbank, 1866). AphiaID: 168605.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Porifera; Demospongiae; Heteroscleromorpha; Poecilosclerida; Mycalidae; Mycale

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 Picton, B.E. & Morrow, C.C. (2024). Mycale subclavata. (Bowerbank, 1866). [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland.
https://www2.habitas.org.uk/marbiop-ni/speciesaccounts.php?item=C5540. Accessed on 2024-07-04