PORIFERA : ASTROPHORIDA : GeodiidaeSPONGES

Pachymatisma johnstonia (Bowerbank, 1842)


Pachymatisma johnstonia

Description: This sponge may be massive-lobose, hemispherical to irregularly rounded and up to 30cm or more across. It is usually grey to off-white in colour but may be completely white in dark caves. Rounded evenly spaced oscules are obvious all along the tops of the ridges.

Habitat: Common on bedrock and stable boulders from the littoral to 300m. A common species in sites with strong water movement, but also found under overhangs in extreme shelter.

Distribution: A common species throughout most of the British Isles but apparently absent from North sea coasts.

Similar Species: Unlikely to be confused with other species.

Key Identification Features:

Distribution Map: NBN map : National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

WoRMS: Species record : World Register of Marine Species.

iNaturalist: Species account : iNaturalist World Species Observations database



 Picton, B.E. & Morrow, C.C. (2016). Pachymatisma johnstonia (Bowerbank, 1842). [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland.
https://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=C1670 Accessed on 2024-12-05

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