Description: A thin encrusting pale yellow sponge.

Habitat: In Northern Ireland this species is found on moderately exposed, tideswept circalittoral bedrock, usually on vertical or overhanging rock, however it was originally described from Sweden at 400 m depth.

Distribution: This species has recently been recorded from Rathlin Island and the Maidens off Larne. It was originally described from deep water off the Swedish coast.

Similar Species: The presence of distinctive ring-shaped chelae readily distinguish this species from other sponges.

Key Identification Features:

• Identification requires analysis of the spicules. The ring-shaped chelae are characteristic of this species.

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

iNaturalist: Clathria elliptichela at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Clathria (Microciona) elliptichela

WoRMS: Clathria elliptichela at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Clathria (Microciona) elliptichela (Alander, 1942). AphiaID: 167637.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Porifera; Demospongiae; Heteroscleromorpha; Poecilosclerida; Microcionidae; Microcioninae; Clathria