| PORIFERA : HADROMERIDA : Suberitidae | SPONGES |
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Description: The colour of this sponge varies from shades of pale yellow, buff, pale orange and brown. Typically it forms a massive fig shape, attached by a short, thick stalk to the substratum. The surface is smooth with a velvety feel. There is usually one compound oscule at the top.
Habitat: This sponge is usually found attached to horizontal rock surfaces but is also found in muddy places attached to shells or stones buried in the mud.
Distribution: A common species on all coasts of the British Isles.
Similar Species: This species may be confused with Tethya aurantium is similar in shape but has a warty surface. Suberites ficus has a similar appearance but is bright orange colour and is massive-lobose in shape.
Key Identification Features:
Distribution Map from BioMar data for Ireland - Google Earth map: 
download this placemark (not got Google Earth installed?)
Distribution Map from NBN: JNCC MNCR Seasearch data - Grid map : Interactive map : National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.
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| Picton, B.E. & Morrow, C.C., 2010. [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland http://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=C2200 |
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