Description: This sponge can be massive to lobate in form, sometimes with 'tassels.' It is usually very irregular. It is grey-white to pink-pale orange in colour. It is very soft and slimy in texture. The surface is irregular, almost conulate, being raised into many bumps. There is a thin transparent surface membrane. Typical Myxillid pores are absent. There are denser white patches where spicules are more abundant. Oscules are scattered, and somewhat irregular in shape. They are large but not numerous or conspicuous, with raised transparent edges. For more information see full description.

Habitat: Found in sheltered areas with reasonable current (1/2-1 knot) on Modiolus modiolus; almost free on mud; on hydroids and rock.

Distribution: So far known only from Strangford Lough between 20 and 30 m.

Similar Species: Could be confused with Myxilla rosacea but this does not lack the typical Myxillid pores. Also superficially it can be very similar to Myxilla incrustans, but it does not seem to form the raised, oscule-bearing ridges.

Key Identification Features:

• Slimy texture.
• Typical Myxillid pores absent.
• Can be massive to lobate in form sometimes with tassels.
• Grey-white to pink-pale orange in colour.

Distribution Map from NBN: Myxilla cf. rosacea at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Myxilla cf. rosacea at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Myxilla

WoRMS: Myxilla cf. rosacea at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Myxilla Schmidt, 1862. AphiaID: 131970.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Porifera; Demospongiae; Heteroscleromorpha; Poecilosclerida; Myxillidae; Myxilla