Thymosia guernei Topsent, 1895

Thymosia guernei

Description: This off-white coloured sponge may grow as a thin sheet, but typically has a massive-lumpy form (in patches up to 1m across). It is firmly attached to the substratum by a broad encrusting base. Overall it looks like cold mashed potato.

Habitat: This sponge is usually found on vertical rock faces or under overhangs in rock in areas exposed to moderately strong wave action and tidal streams. It has most frequently been recorded on limestone at depths between 15 and 30m.

Distribution: This species is recently known from a number of islands off southwest Britain and western Ireland.

Similar Species: The irregular surface and white colour in a massive sponge are quite distinctive.

Key Identification Features:

• A massive, white, lumpy sponge.
• Lack of spicules.

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). Thymosia guernei Topsent, 1895. [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland. https://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=C2070 Accessed on 2024-12-05

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