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Form: Massive-lobate, sometimes with 'tassels', very irregular.
Colour: Grey/white to pink/pale orange.
Smell: None.
Consistency: Very soft and slimy ("wet brain").
Surface: 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.
Apertures: Oscules are scattered, and somewhat irregular in shape. They are large but not numerous or conspicuous, with raised transparent edges.
Contraction: The surface collapses on removal from water, but there is no true contraction.
Internal characters
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Skeleton: The principal skeleton consists of a regular reticulation of acanthostyles. Tornotes are present in the surface. Chelae and sigmata are present throughout.
Spicules: Acanthostyles (a) 170-(195)-210µm, more densely spined than those of M. rosacea, tornotes (b) 170-(180)-210µm, with microspined ends. Chelae (c) are about 35-40µm and 15-20µm; abundant sigmata (d), ca.25µm and 15µm, are present.
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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 30m.
Distribution Map: NBN map : National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.
Identity: Appearance is quite unlike other Myxillids. Spiculation is similar to M. rosacea (q.v.) but the acanthostyles are larger and more densely spined.
Voucher: BELUM : Mc229. Strangford Lough, Down.
Editors: D. Moss, B.E. Picton.
Picton, B.E., Morrow, C.C. & van Soest, R.W.B., 2011. [In] Sponges of Britain and Ireland http://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/sponge_guide/sponges.asp?item=C6480 |
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