Form: Variable, often basically a thin walled, laterally compressed cylindrical or pear shaped bag (the walls are thicker and almost muscular in comparison with the more common G. compressa). 'Thin' is used relative to the overall size of the sponge - the walls are thick when compared to those of Grantia compressa. It hangs from the point of attachment. (Note orientation in photograph). It can grow from 12-15 cm long, the largest specimens seen being 5cm in diameter and in excess of 1m long. There is also a more lobate form. There is a very short stalk.

Colour: Beige (alive or in alcohol).

Smell: Not noticeable.

Consistency: Firm but thin walled.

Surface: Smooth, slightly velvety.

Apertures:

• Usually a single terminal oscule, which is naked (i.e. with no collar of spicules).

Contraction:

• Will deflate, but no overall shrinkage.

Synonyms: None in common use, although Burton gives quite a list which has not been repeated here. This species was treated by Burton (1963:447) as being one of several 'Named Forms' comprising Scypha compressa (Fabricius, 1780), the name which he regarded as valid for the whole complex.

Internal characters

Skeleton: Skeleton:

Spicules: Oxea ca. 500 μm, triradiates with 100-200 μm rays; quadriradiates are also present, with rays 150-200 μm.

Identity: The large specimens are unusually large for Calcarea and larger bag-like 'Grantia' forms in UK waters are likely to be this species. Smaller specimens could be confused with G. compressa.

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

iNaturalist: Sycandra utriculus at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Sycandra utriculus at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Sycandra utriculus (Schmidt, 1869). AphiaID: 132242.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Porifera; Calcarea; Calcaronea; Leucosolenida; Grantiidae; Sycandra

Voucher: BELUM : Mc2127. Churchill causeway, Orkney. Coll. D. Moss.

Editors: R. Earll, D. Moss, B.E. Picton.