Description: A very soft and fragile encrusting sponge covered with bubble-like projections. The colour may be pale yellow, beige, or orange sometimes with red pigment on sufaces exposed to light or in shallow water.

Habitat: This species has been reported from the littoral zone to over 300 m depth. It is most frequently found in sheltered areas with moderately strong tidal streams attached to bedrock or boulders. It is sometimes found in sheltered conditions with little current or wave action, including the Summer Isles and Strangford Lough, but is also abundant on fully exposed rock faces at St. Kilda.

Distribution: A common species in the British Isles.

Similar Species: Unlikely to be confused with other species, because they are different colours and most sponges have quite different appearance to the surface. This species of Oscarella is now known to be distinct from the several Mediterranean species but appears to have no valid name at present.

Key Identification Features:

• Soft texture
• Bubble-like projections on surface.

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

iNaturalist: Oscarella sp. at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Oscarella sp. at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Oscarella Vosmaer, 1884. AphiaID: 131979.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Porifera; Homoscleromorpha; Homosclerophorida; Oscarellidae; Oscarella